FCC Revokes Drone Approvals After U.S. Assembler Denies Any Connection

The Federal Communications Commission has revoked equipment authorizations for a drone and remote controller from Odyssey Robot LLC, citing false statements about the equipment's production.

LLC, revoking equipment authorizations for a drone and remote controller. The agency concluded that the company made false statements about the equipment's production and its status under FCC Covered List rules. The FCC's decision applies to FCC ID 2BSYT-FMAWZOD, an uncrewed aircraft system, and FCC ID 2BSYT-YMAWZOD, a remote controller.

The authorizations were revoked effective as of the date of the order, with the company's failure to respond to FCC inquiries being a significant factor in the decision.

Investigation Finds Problems With U.S. Production Claims The

FCC's investigation into Odyssey Robot's claims began after security researcher Konrad Iturbe published allegations that the company had made materially false attestations to the FCC. The agency subsequently sent Odyssey a Letter of Inquiry, requesting equipment samples and information about the company's business structure, manufacturing locations, affiliations, and compliance practices. Odyssey did not respond to the FCC's requests, leading the agency to issue a deficiency letter giving the company another seven days to comply.

However, the company again failed to respond, prompting the FCC to issue an Order to Show Cause, giving Odyssey ten days to explain why its authorizations should not be revoked.

Texas Assembler Denies Relationship With Odyssey The

FCC's investigation also involved contacting eTak, the Texas company Odyssey had identified as assembling its devices. eTak responded to the FCC, denying any business or financial relationship with Odyssey and stating that it had not performed any assembly work for the company. The FCC ultimately determined that the drone and controller were foreign-produced covered equipment and had been improperly authorized. The agency cited Odyssey's false statements about its U.S. assembler, the lack of records showing domestic production, foreign testing of the equipment, and Odyssey's failure to respond to FCC inquiries.

What Happens Next The

FCC's order revokes the two Odyssey equipment authorizations, effective immediately. Without valid FCC equipment authorization, the affected drone and remote controller cannot legally be marketed in the United States under those certifications. The order does not direct existing owners to stop operating the equipment, but it does demonstrate one possible outcome of an FCC investigation into false statements and non-compliance with FCC rules.

The decision comes as the FCC conducts separate investigations involving other drone companies and equipment that may be subject to Covered List restrictions. The agency has proposed fines against eight companies for failing to respond to agency Letters of Inquiry, but those proceedings remain separate from the Odyssey case.

Source: DRONELIFE