Drone safety

Researchers at Brigham Young University have demonstrated an inexpensive air traffic control system for drones that can effectively track multiple targets in real-time. Such systems could prevent collisions with aircraft, for not very much money.

Zipline has developed and patented an AI-driven safety system it says allows autonomous drones to detect and avoid other aircraft and drones up to 2 km away in all directions, using a light, cheap and robust microphone array. Will it satisfy the FAA?

As handy as multicopter drones are, the endlessly spinning blades are noisy, energy-intensive and potentially dangerous. So Japanese company NTT Docomo has now unveiled bouncy blimp-like drones that get around using an ultrasonic propulsion system.

Live power lines are traditionally inspected by workers who have to climb poles, stand in bucket lifts, or ride in helicopters. A new system promises to make such inspections quicker, easier and safer, by allowing a drone to do the job.

DroneShield's latest offering takes the mobility factor up a notch with a system that can be mounted to the top of almost any vehicle, equipping it with the tools to dismantle suspicious drones coming from all directions.

Oculus co-founder Palmer Luckey hopes his company's Interceptor drone can help with national security by knocking other drones out of the air.

DroneShield's newly announced DroneGun MkIII uses the same frequency-jamming tactics as the company's other offerings, but is designed to work in a tighter radius with one-handed operation for a quick and easy draw.

Adding to the growing mix of drone safety solutions is a new measure from industry giant DJI, who has committed to incorporating helicopter and airplane detectors into new models from next year onward.​

​Just as new uses for drones continue to surface (both good and bad), so too do ways to stop them in their tracks. Intended for authorities looking to control sensitive airspace, the DroneBullet takes a rather heavy-handed approach, knocking suspicious aircraft clean out of the sky.​

America's Federal Aviation Authority has put forth a set of proposed amendments to current drone laws that would allow drone users to fly over crowds and at night under certain circumstances, without needing to file paperwork and obtain exemptions.

​Another drone sighting has caused a temporary shutdown of a major UK airport today, with London’s Heathrow halting departures for several hours as investigations commenced following a suspicious unmanned aircraft in the vicinity.

​​Like many emerging technologies, drones are packed with promise but their capabilities can readily be harnessed by folks with mal-intent. This reality has played out at London’s Gatwick airport today where drones have been sighted hovering over the airfield. So what are the authorities to do?