Thursday, February 26, 2015

Al-Jazeera nabbed for using quadcopter


"PARIS—Three Al Jazeera journalists were arrested Wednesday for illegally flying a drone in Paris, after unidentified drones were spotted over the Eiffel Tower and key landmarks for a second night running.
The foreign nationals, who work for the Doha-based international broadcaster, were taken into custody Wednesday afternoon after police spotted a drone flying in the Bois de Boulogne woods in western Paris, said Agnes Thibault-Lecuivre, a spokeswoman for the Paris prosecutor."

I agree with rules that severely limit drones flying over people or private property.

Sunday, February 22, 2015

quadcopter flight over frozen niagra falls


some companies push back against planned drone rules

http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/feb/22/experts-companies-protest-faa-commercial-drones-proposals

"The frustration for companies such as Airware is that technology exists that can ensure high levels of safety in small commercial settings. That includes geo-fencing technology that contains a drone within a specified three-dimensional area, autonomous systems that equip the drone to “think” for itself should it lose GPS signal or contact with its operator, and a range of increasingly sophisticated sensors that can allow the vehicle to detect and avoid obstacles including buildings and people.
'The technology exists: it’s extremely safe and it’s already being used in other countries,' he said.'We’re now seeing Europe – particularly the UK, France and Germany - pulling ahead, as UAV manufacturers are being allowed to make use of this technology,.'
Brendan Schulman, a New York-based lawyer who is one of the leading authorities on the domestic use of drones, said the FAA proposals placed another major drag on the industry by prohibiting commercial flight at night.
'The restriction on night flight will be extremely limiting,' he said, adding that the ban was puzzling as 'it’s very easy to operate a [drone] safely at night when it’s lit up. Hobbyists are doing it all the time'.”

So how about, if you have the technology and the training for it, then you can go past these general rules.

Saturday, February 21, 2015

drone circus

http://www.theguardian.com/technology/2015/feb/16/air-2015-drone-circus-amsterdam-host-worlds-first

"The world’s first drone circus is to be held in the Netherlands, where aerial robots equipped with lasers and projectors will spin in dizzying dances across the Amsterdam Arena.
The AIR 2015 show is scheduled to take place this year with hundreds of drones lined up to fill the venue. The event is being developed in conjunction with the Royal Netherlands Air Force, although a date has not yet been set."

Thursday, February 19, 2015

Agricultural uses for drones

http://rapidcityjournal.com/now/today/rcj/ways-unmanned-drones-could-affect-the-american-food-supply/collection_4a2a2a22-b616-11e4-ac04-df92f9cefb80.html

1. making sure moisture, fertilizer, etc. is evenly distributed in fields.
2. looking for spots in a field that need a tad more of something.
3. finding stray cattle or sheep.
4. monitoring fish.
5. activists can use drones to catch illegal farming methods.

Saturday, February 14, 2015

Federal drone rules preview

http://www.nasdaq.com/article/federal-document-sheds-light-on-proposed-drone-rules-20150214-00027

"Federal regulators plan to propose rules that would limit commercial drone flights to below 500 feet, daytime hours and within sight of the operator, while also requiring operators to pass written exams, according to a federal document posted online Friday."


The sooner the better.

Thursday, February 12, 2015

Quadcopter takes a look at Russian Tesla coil farm

http://ruptly.tv/vod/view/20717/russia-exclusive-drone-captures-tesla-tower-the-soviet-era-lightning-machine


Video Id:
20150211-033
Title
Russia: EXCLUSIVE - Drone captures Tesla Tower - the Soviet era 'lightning machine'
Category
Science & Tech
Location
Moscow, Russia
Region
Russia
Duration
1:47
Published
February 11, 2015, 17:35 (GMT)

Monday, February 2, 2015

Wired Magazine claims drone delivery is here

The February 2015 issue of Wired magazine claims "drone-enabled deliveries are about to get off the ground."  They list several sites from Russia to Australia that are planning to deliver pizzas, prescriptions, books, and other items.

   I find this a bit fantastical yet.  All these deliveries depend greatly on the weather, for one.  Bucking a headwind can run a drone out of power before it gets to its destination.  Also, what if the drone gets to its destination and some unknown recipient is there?  Free pizza for somebody?  This just hasn't been clearly thought through yet.