ISTE 2026 was a big one for Robolink.

We came to Orlando with drones, community events, educator-led sessions, a food tour, EdTech Karaoke, and one very exciting first look: CoDrone EDU Plus, our newest classroom and competition-ready drone.

“You added a camera to the drone?”

Actually, we added two.

Already recognized as a CES 2026 Innovation Awards Honoree, CoDrone EDU Plus is our camera- and computer vision-enabled drone designed for the next chapter of STEM, CTE, and AI learning. Like CoDrone EDU, it’s built for classrooms first: safe, durable, programmable, and made for hands-on learning. But Plus takes the experience further with front- and bottom-facing cameras that students can program as sensors, computer vision activities, and career-connected lessons that let students explore applications like search and rescue, agriculture, logistics, and more.

With Plus, students don't just pilot and program drones. They’ll learn how machines perceive and respond to real-world scenarios. CoDrone EDU Plus is launching this school year, along with new CTE lessons from Robolink's education team. Learn more and sign up to be first to know when orders start at robolink.com/plus. 

The Future of STEM and CTE, In Focus

At ISTE, educators got a sneak peek at CoDrone EDU Plus, and a taste of how the drone can connect computer vision capabilities, including:

• object detection (YOLO classifier),
• color and shape detection,
• QR code, ArUco marker, and AprilTag recognition,
• and more
  

to real, high-growth drone careers in:

• search and rescue,
• supply chain and logistics,
• public safety,
• construction trades,
• media,
• and more.
  

CoDrone EDU Plus uses pre-trained machine learning models for its computer vision capabilities, designed by Robolink's engineering team, but students will also be able to train models themselves.

The result is an exciting response to the growing need for AI literacy. As AI quickly becomes more built into everyday life, CoDrone EDU Plus makes it visible, physical, and programmable – with learners in the pilot's seat.

Your Top CoDrone EDU Plus Questions, Answered

We did hear a few questions at ISTE, so let’s answer them here.

Will CoDrone EDU Plus be part of the Aerial Drone Competition?

Yes, of course!

CoDrone EDU is already the drone of choice for classrooms and the REC Foundation’s Aerial Drone Competition, and CoDrone EDU Plus is being designed with that same competition ecosystem in mind. Robolink has always believed that competition brings a different kind of energy to STEM—teamwork, excitement, and a sense of belonging.

So yes: Plus is headed to the Aerial Drone Competition floor, and our partners at the REC Foundation will be sharing details soon.

How much will CoDrone EDU Plus cost?

We can’t share final pricing just yet.

We’re still fine-tuning the final product, select parts, and CTE content. What we can say is that CoDrone EDU Plus will cost more than CoDrone EDU because it includes more advanced hardware, including its dual cameras.

We’ll share more pricing and preorder details as soon as they’re ready. Sign up here for updates.

Will you still sell CoDrone EDU?

Yes. CoDrone EDU isn’t going anywhere.

We’ll continue producing CoDrone EDU as our most affordable classroom drone and a great fit for beginners, upper elementary, middle school, and schools building their first drone program.

CoDrone EDU is still the best place to start for many classrooms: students can fly manually, code in Blockly, progress into Python, and build confidence with a safe, durable drone designed for learning. Robolink’s core product promise remains hands-on, future-ready learning with drones that engage students from the start.

In short:

• CoDrone EDU is ideal for beginners, budget-conscious programs, and students starting as early as grades 4 or 5.
• CoDrone EDU Plus is ideal for high school, higher ed, advanced STEM and CTE programs, or middle school students who already have drone experience.

Both belong in the Robolink ecosystem. They just serve different stages of the journey.

ISTE Was Also About Community

As exciting as CoDrone EDU Plus was, ISTE wasn’t only a product moment. It was a time for the Robolink community to shine.

We were thrilled to see Robolink Ambassadors and educators leading sessions, sharing classroom ideas, and showing what drone learning looks like in the real world. From STEM and computer science to CTE and competition, the best moments came from educators showing other educators what’s possible.

Shoutout to Patricia Cortez, Omar Cortez, Ludyvina Gomez, Rachelle Dené Poth, Jami Shields, Alex Mayszak, Steven Foxworth, and Tyisha Johnson-Walton for the energy, ideas, and stories you all brought to ISTE.

We also loved connecting beyond the booth through our community events, including:

• EdTech Bites Food Tour 
• EdTech Karaoke
• Conversations with educators building drone programs across the country

The best part of ISTE is always the same: meeting the people who take our tools and turn them into student confidence, teamwork, and “I didn’t know I could do that” moments.

What’s Next

If you saw CoDrone EDU Plus in person, thank you for being part of the first look. If you missed us at ISTE, you can still learn more about the new drone and sign up for updates here.

The future of STEM and CTE is coming into focus.