Drones That Caught Our Eye at the 2025 Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas

In Ukraine, the Mavic drone—originally designed for photography—has become a vital tool for reconnaissance, demonstrating how consumer technologies can be adapted for entirely new purposes. As the war drags on, the role of drones on the battlefield has grown not only in scale but in complexity.

While the innovations showcased at CES are primarily aimed at commercial and consumer markets, they highlight the ever-expanding potential of drone technology and give an insight into their alternative applications.

Here’s a look at some of the most innovative drones presented at the show and how they could inspire military tech.

The HAGAMOSphere drone

Innovation is spherical—at least for DIC, creators of the HAGAMOSphere drone. Crowned as a CES 2025 honoree in drones, this highly maneuverable sphere is encased in a protective geometric… sphere guard, allowing it to roll along the ground and maintain stability during both vertical and horizontal flights. 

With eight propellers mounted on a cubic (!!!) frame, the HAGAMOSphere redefines drone versatility. Imagine its potential for humanitarian aid, reconnaissance, or even precision deliveries in Ukraine’s most challenging terrains.

The Underground Drone

Another CES 2025 honoree in drones, the Underground Drone by Sky Flight and Hanseo University ventures into territories where most drones fear to tread—underground. Equipped with 360-degree LiDAR, it autonomously navigates GPS-deprived environments, creating real-time 3D maps and avoiding obstacles. 

With AI-driven imaging, it’s designed to detect structural defects in underground infrastructure, support rescue missions, and even perform mining exploration. For a country like Ukraine, this can be incredibly useful against the prevalence of radio-electronic warfare and for hunting enemies in enclosures. 

The Urban Bladeless delivery drone

Quiet, safe, and efficient: these are the hallmarks of the bladeless drone by AIRUS and HANSEO UNIVERSITY, another 2025 honoree. Using bladeless propulsion technology, it reduces noise by 40%, making it perfect for dense urban environments. 

With the ability to carry up to 10kg, this AI-powered drone is ideal for delivering sensitive cargo such as food and medicine. Its real-time monitoring ensures secure delivery even in complex urban landscapes. For Ukraine, where war has disrupted logistics, this innovation offers a glimpse into a future of efficient and reliable delivery systems – with lethal payloads still in mind.

Xpeng Aero HT’s “flying car”

Chinese electric car maker Xpeng Aero HT unveiled its latest attempt at the flying car—a perennial CES favorite that promises a future straight out of sci-fi. While it inches us closer to the flying car utopia, as Adam Something aptly points out, aren’t helicopters just flying cars by another name?