Civilian Use of Drone Aircraft May Soon Fly In the US 196
An anonymous reader sends this excerpt from the Seattle Times:
"Drone aircraft, best known for their role in hunting and destroying terrorist hideouts in Afghanistan and Pakistan, may be coming soon to the skies near you. Police agencies want drones for air support to find runaway criminals. Utility companies expect they can help monitor oil, gas and water pipelines. Farmers believe drones could aid in spraying crops with pesticides. 'It's going to happen,' said Dan Elwell, vice president of civil aviation at the Aerospace Industries Association. 'Now it's about figuring out how to safely assimilate the technology into national airspace.' That's the job of the Federal Aviation Administration, which plans to propose new rules for using small drones in January, a first step toward integrating robotic aircraft into the nation's skyways."
FAA Director Yoda quoted: (Score:5, Funny)
"Begun, the Drone Wars have."
Modern Day Kite Fights? (Score:5, Funny)
Kite Fighting [wikipedia.org] is a common festival in many parts of Asia. In a few years from now, imagine if a bunch of dudes do that with drones ( and the drones shooting at each other with Spud Guns in mid-air).
It will soon become and industry of its own. Microsoft and Sony will soon come out with Fighter Drones.
Microsoft's will have a "ring of death" ( It'll circle your house twice before crashing into your house and destroying the ceiling/attic.
Sony's will have the ability to fly carrying a dog as a passenger. But one day it'll disable it via software update and your mutt will no longer be able to fly.
Nintendo will come out with a cheaper, smaller drone will require you to flap your arms like a bird, which the drone will faithfully imitate.
I see a good future for the gaming industry with this.
Re:Oh he many uses (Score:4, Funny)
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Re:hand size copters for media and protestors - (Score:2, Funny)
Our spectrum jammers, they're already deployed. We received information that terrorists were planning to disrupt your protest to make your protest's message look bad while causing panic and fear. Their nefarious plans to harm you and your cause rely on wifi access. This area has therefore been designated a no wifi frequency zone for your safety and protection, as well as to guard your right to express yourselves freely without terrorist interference. Please excuse any temporary inconvenience this may cause you and your cameracoptors.
Love, The Police.
Re:I don't see what's to stop... (Score:5, Funny)
Are you suggesting that civilian UAVs should be outfitted to fire rocket-propelled patrol cars at ground targets? Because that sounds simultaneously awesome and impractical.