Talking Drones With 3D Robotics CEO Chris Anderson

Drones were one of the hot topics coming into CES, but the show itself didn’t actually feature any standout products. Many of the new drones we saw were little more than knockoffs of DJI’s extremely successful Phantom Vision line (though there were a few interesting exceptions). Maybe it’s no surprise then that the largest U.S.-based drone manufacturer, 3D Robotics, didn’t even have a booth at the show. Instead, 3D Robotics CEO Chris Anderson – the former editor-in-chief of Wired — toured the city with a drone in his backpack.

We got a chance to catch up with Anderson to talk aboutĀ selfie drones, the FAA’s regulations around commercial drone usage and the future of both his company and the industry as a whole. Drones can’t just be about taking aerial selfies, after all.