Submitted via IRC for Fnord666
The Federal Aviation Authority (FAA) has unveiled its predictions for the future of drones, and the findings came as a surprise, even to the FAA itself. Non-commercial drone growth has greatly exceeded expectations, increasing by 170 percent last year, despite officials thinking that it would only grow by 44 percent. This also forced experts to race back to the drawing board and re-write its predictions for the entire industry as a result.
The percentages are impressive, but it's worth bearing in mind that the actual numbers aren't huge: the total number of commercial drones registered with the FAA now sits at 277,000. By contrast, there are about 1.25 million personal drones in the US, expected to rise to 1.4 million by 2023.
In that same year, the FAA now predicts there will be 835,000 commercial drones, which represents a tripling of the total over the next five years. Their original prediction was that there'd be about 452,000 commercial drones flying by 2022, but based on their unexpectedly fast takeup, that figure now looks likely to be achieved in early 2020 instead.
The full report notes that "the significant growth in this sector over the past year demonstrates the uncertainty and potential of the market." It goes on to say that while the FAA does not expect the current growth rate to continue, "nevertheless, the sector will be much larger than what we understood as recently as last year."
Source: https://www.engadget.com/2019/05/06/commercial-drones-are-way-more-popular-than-the-faa-expected/
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FAA threatens $25,000 fine for weaponizing drones
It's perfectly natural for a red-blooded American to, once they have procured their first real drone, experiment with attaching a flame thrower to it. But it turns out that this harmless hobby is frowned upon by the biggest buzzkills in the world... the feds.
Yes, the FAA has gone and published a notice that drones and weapons are "A Dangerous Mix." Well, that's arguable. But they're the authority here, so we have to hear them out.
"Perhaps you've seen online photos and videos of drones with attached guns, bombs, fireworks, flamethrowers, and other dangerous items. Do not consider attaching any items such as these to a drone because operating a drone with such an item may result in significant harm to a person and to your bank account."
Also at The Verge and PetaPixel.
Previously: Department of Homeland Security Terror Bulletin Warns of "Weaponized Drones"
Related: FAA Restricts Drone Operations Over 10 U.S. Landmarks
FAA Approves Blood Toting Drones at North Carolina Hospital
Commercial Drones Are Way More Popular Than the FAA Expected
U.S. Department of Homeland Security Warns Against Using Chinese Drones
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Monday May 13 2019, @03:19AM (7 children)
That'll solve the problem
(Score: 2) by c0lo on Monday May 13 2019, @03:29AM (4 children)
What problem?
Sure not this one:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aoFiw2jMy-0 https://soylentnews.org/~MichaelDavidCrawford
(Score: 1) by khallow on Monday May 13 2019, @05:37AM (3 children)
(Score: 2) by c0lo on Monday May 13 2019, @05:45AM (2 children)
I thought... injuries in clueless experts is a feature for society, to keep their population low.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aoFiw2jMy-0 https://soylentnews.org/~MichaelDavidCrawford
(Score: 1) by khallow on Monday May 13 2019, @05:53AM (1 child)
(Score: 2) by c0lo on Monday May 13 2019, @06:10AM
I don't so much.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aoFiw2jMy-0 https://soylentnews.org/~MichaelDavidCrawford
(Score: 2) by MostCynical on Monday May 13 2019, @03:30AM
https://faadronezone.faa.gov/#/ [faa.gov]
Issue is "how much", or "how much more"
"I guess once you start doubting, there's no end to it." -Batou, Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Monday May 13 2019, @05:17AM
Some people become aroused at the thought of taxation, I can think of no other reason why they want to tax everything.
(Score: 1) by ShadowSystems on Monday May 13 2019, @04:37AM (2 children)
I was just reading the ShadowRun 4thEd file on combat drones.
I hear the ding of new email, check the RSS news feeds, find this article, & wind up grinning like a Cheshire cat on LSD.
I wonder how much they would want if I asked to register my own Tachikoma Spider Drone?
I doubt it'd be the normal $5 fee they charge for everything else.
If you let me register it I promise to behave...
for at least the time it takes to find the weapons controls
=-D
(Score: 2, Touché) by khallow on Monday May 13 2019, @05:56AM (1 child)
Yea, there's that grin.
I think more the question should be, how much will they pay you to register your army of Tachikoma Spider Drones?
(Score: 1) by ShadowSystems on Monday May 13 2019, @06:12AM
Wait... How did you know I've got an army of them waiting to do my bidding?
Let me know whom leaked that info & I'll give you a Tachikoma of your very own.
*Grumbles about loose lips sinking surprise attack plans*
(Score: 2) by Farkus888 on Monday May 13 2019, @06:10PM
Why are they predicting commercial registration will die off? I'd say the exact opposite. With that many in private hands every day someone is likely to stumble in to a way to make money on their hobby. I doubt we've even found and applied all the commercial uses for aerial photography. If any one of the companies that is trying manages package delivery that would double the current numbers.