- The HoverAir Aqua is set to ship in February 2026
- FCC's rules on foreign-made drones changed on December 23, 2025
- Unapproved drones are effectively banned in the US
At the end of last year, the US Federal Communications Commission (FCC) added any foreign-made drone not already approved for sale to its "Covered List", effectively banning all such future drones from being sold.
While often referred to as the "DJI ban", this ruling impacts all non-US drone manufacturers, a reality that Zero Zero Robotics may be grappling with currently.
The Chinese company was preparing to launch its highly anticipated HoverAir Aqua drone in February 2026. This innovative camera drone is fully waterproof and designed to autonomously follow surfers, kayakers, and water-skiers, capturing their thrilling activities in ways traditional drones cannot.
The Aqua successfully raised over $2 million from more than 1800 backers through an Indiegogo crowdfunding campaign, but since it does not currently appear on the FCC's approved devices list, it may face the same restrictions that prevent future DJI drone sales in the US.
Zero Zero Robotics' existing drones, such as the HoverAir X1, HoverAir X1 Pro, and HoverAir X1 ProMax, are already approved for sale in the US and will remain available. However, the future of upcoming launches, including the Aqua, is uncertain.
This situation is unfortunate for Zero Zero Robotics, but it also affects the hundreds of US-based backers of the HoverAir Aqua, who have already invested in a product they expected to receive by December 2025, only to see the shipping date pushed to February 2026 and now face the possibility of never receiving it.
Raining on the Aqua's Parade
Currently, the likelihood of backers receiving their orders or even a refund seems slim. On January 8, 2026, a representative from Zero Zero Robotics posted on the Aqua's Indiegogo page:
"Due to a sudden regulatory change in the United States, we have temporarily paused accepting new orders for shipment to U.S. addresses. We are actively exploring all compliance pathways and engaging in relevant communications. Once we have a clearer understanding and concrete conclusions, we will share them with you promptly. According to Indiegogo’s rules, backers cannot refund their orders once payment has been completed. If you need any assistance, please contact our support team at support@hoverair.com. We’ll be happy to help!"
"Regarding the new FCC's rule and its impact on Aqua, we are actively exploring all compliance pathways and engaging in relevant communications. Please rest assured that we are committed to keeping you informed about any impacts on the US market and will continue to communicate and assess the situation closely. Once we have a clearer understanding and concrete conclusions, we will share them with you promptly."
The FCC's ruling does include an exception process whereby specific drone models can be deemed risk-free and cleared for import and sale. However, this process must be conducted by the US Department of Defense or Department of Homeland Security, which may prioritize other matters over consumer drone assessments.
The HoverAir Aqua is still expected to launch in other regions, and we are eager to review it as soon as possible.