Drones have become one of the driving forces of progress: today, they can be seen everywhere—from exhibition stands at international expos to parks, where they serve not only for entertainment but also perform important functions. Drones are actively used in agriculture, energy, and the construction industry. They are equipped with increasingly sophisticated features and can be controlled through various smartphone applications.
As Michael Fayro, president of Mota, says, “Drones can be more or less complex; today there are technologies that allow them to be integrated with robots. Additionally, they can be used in a field called ‘augmented reality.’ There is also agriculture, which includes both farming and poultry, military needs, and in every discipline or sector I’ve mentioned, drones are destined to play a very important role.”
With the development of online commerce, drones are increasingly used as couriers, delivering goods to customers. This is known as the “last mile” service, which is particularly challenging due to unpredictable logistics, traffic, and the working hours of those tasked with delivering the goods. Drones have a lot to do in remote areas where post offices or small shops may not always be available.
Josh Gartner from JD.com states, “We are targeting rural areas where there is almost no corresponding infrastructure. People live far apart, and trucks and even small cars cannot always get through, or it’s too expensive. Therefore, we are ready to consider the use of drones. On the other hand, we all understand that there are currently gaps in the legal framework, which sets a skeptical tone: not everyone may be comfortable with such objects flying at low altitudes, which can cause quite justified irritation.”
There are increasingly loud voices calling for the regulation of drone flights from a legislative perspective, defining the hours during which they can be used and regulating the maximum and minimum altitudes that a drone can reach. Experts believe special attention should be paid to how drones operate in close proximity to major transportation arteries and airports.
Douglas K. Johnson from the Consumers’ Association summarizes, “Today, safety issues are paramount because the pace of technological development is so rapid that legal norms often lag behind. It is important to remember that any restrictions should lead to an increase in the quality of life and service, not a decrease. Drones can be equipped with special navigators that ensure their safe operation in flight. We view such drones not as technical novelties or gadgets but as part of civil aeronautics with a corresponding set of rights and responsibilities, which are performed and accepted based on broad public consensus.”
According to experts, the drone industry and related sectors of the economy and market are expected to grow by 150% this year. Over the next few years, the monetary volume of the same market is predicted to increase from 2 billion to 110 billion euros, according to PriceWaterhouseCoopers.
https://ru.euronews.com/next/2016/05/17/drones-all-the-rage-at-ces-asia-in-shanghai