Here’s a roundup of the most relevant FPV drone news from the last two weeks: ExpressLRS ships version 4 inside Betaflight, a stability patch lands for the firmware, BetaFPV launches an affordable pair of analog goggles, and the AI-powered autonomous drone racing series adds a new US venue.
ExpressLRS V4 now integrated into Betaflight
The ExpressLRS team has finished integrating ExpressLRS 4.0 into Betaflight for flight controllers with an SPI-based integrated ELRS receiver. The new version brings more robust packet sync and, most notably, much richer telemetry on screen: full-resolution accelerometer and gyroscope data, barometric altitude and vertical speed, magnetic heading, and 3-axis GPS velocity are now available directly on the transmitter.
One thing to watch before you update: V4 is enabled by setting the ELRSV4 build flag when flashing, and from that point it’s no longer compatible with V3 transmitters. If your radio and receiver aren’t on the same version, there won’t be a link. We recommend checking your transmitter’s ExpressLRS version before flashing any receiver to V4.
Betaflight 2026.6.2: a stability patch
Betaflight has released version 2026.6.2, a minor patch on the 2026.6 branch focused on fixing a bug in the I2C bus accessors that could fail if the bus wasn’t initialized, plus a Configurator fix to ignore device events on ports the transport doesn’t recognize. No new features here: if you’re already on 2026.6.1 it’s not urgent, but it’s worth updating during your next maintenance session.
If you missed the bigger changes in this branch — the new Flight Plan tab, the rebuilt base autopilot, an overhauled GPS Rescue, and optical-flow position hold — we covered them in depth in our Betaflight 2026.6.1 article.
BetaFPV VR04: an affordable entry-level analog headset, now standalone
BetaFPV has released its VR04 analog goggles as a standalone product, previously only available bundled with the Aquila20 kit. They’re positioned as a budget-friendly way into analog FPV: a design that fits over prescription glasses, a built-in 2000mAh battery with support for external 2-6S packs, DVR recording to microSD, and premium PU face padding with a soft silicone nose bridge to keep external light out.
It’s an interesting option for anyone just getting started in FPV who isn’t ready to jump straight to HD, or as a backup/training headset alongside a digital system.
Drone Champions League: AI competes for $500,000 at the AI Grand Prix
The AI Grand Prix keeps moving forward — the fully autonomous drone racing competition organized with Anduril and driven by Palmer Luckey. University teams and independent engineers from around the world build autonomy software to fly identical racing drones built by Neros Technologies around predefined courses, with no human pilot involved.
After this spring’s virtual qualifying rounds, the physical qualifier was held in California this month, with the grand final set for Ohio in November. There’s a $500,000 prize pool on the line, plus the chance of a job at Anduril for the winning teams — another sign of where the next frontier of drone racing is heading: software pilots racing the clock and each other.
Wrap-up
A busy two weeks: much richer telemetry thanks to ExpressLRS V4, a slightly more stable Betaflight, a cheaper way into analog flying with the VR04, and autonomous AI gaining ground in racing. If you’re upgrading your receiver to ELRS V4 or looking for an analog headset to get started, check out our ELRS receivers and FPV goggles in the shop.