Drone industry tries to prove sky’s not the limit

CES

Drone industry tries to prove sky's not the limit2

Drones have enjoyed rocketing growth in the last 12 months. But keeping your eye on them is a legal problem that’s raising concerns the horizon is narrowing for the technology.

CGTN’s Owen Fairclough reports from CES, the world’s biggest consumer electronics show in Las Vegas.

They’re fast and nimble. Some of the latest hobby drones on display at a special drone airport in the Nevada desert.

Drone prices are tumbling, driving huge growth forecasts- nearly 70 million in the air by 2021, according to one study.

But using them for more ambitious purposes in built up environments is fraught with legal complications.

Drones are incredibly fun to fly but one of the legal challenges in some countries is called line of sight. When you’re looking down at control panel you’re supposed to keep your eye on the drone.

And that means short flights of only a kilometer or so are problematic here in U.S. where the line of sight laws are holding up plans to drop packages on your doorstep. Though, the U.K. is allowing the firm to test it there.

China’s DJI, a consumer drone leader, is trying to solve this with a partnership to create these smart glasses.

Industry experts at the CES tech show say lawmakers need persuading that commercial drones can operate out of sight by fitting them with special safety features.

While governments decide if longer-range drones are safe out of sight you may be better just messing around with them.


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