It’s a bird, it’s a plane…oh wait, no, it’s just another drone. You have to have been living under a rock to be unaware of the rapid developments in drone technology over the past few years. As a result of the growing ubiquity of these devices — which rival GoPro cameras in popularity with outdoor enthusiasts — the powers that be are playing catch-up.
According to a report from The Guardian, the FAA released its proposal for regulating commercial drones in February. The agency’s proposal allows drones weighing up to 55 pounds to fly within sight of their remote pilots during daylight hours. However, these drones are required to stay below 500 feet and at speeds less than 100 mph.
Existing tech to monitor drones
In conjunction with the FAA, NASA has been developing a network for monitoring drones in the U.S. As the FAA hashes out regulations designed to keep the public safe while protecting their privacy, NASA has teamed up with Verizon to offer a different solution. Taking advantage of the vast facilities of the largest wireless carrier in the U.S., NASA proposes to use the air traffic control system and Verizon’s cell towers to keep tabs on commercial and civilian drones.
The idea is to use cell towers to connect with technology on the drones to keep them updated on traffic and within regulatory boundaries. Basically, the solution employs “geofencing” to enforce privacy and safety rules and keep drones outside of restricted areas and no-fly zones.
The project is currently under development at the Ames Research Center in Silicon Valley. The first tests are anticipated to begin this summer, and Verizon plans to introduce a proof-of-concept of the tracking service by 2017.
Testing time
All involved parties are quick to emphasize that there are many challenges to overcome and this project is still in the early testing stages. Verizon also clarified that public cellphone towers will not be used in these initial testing stages.
One major challenge is that drones are currently not compatible with existing air traffic systems. As there is no quick solution, NASA remains open-minded about alternatives and is also considering monitoring drones with different technologies such as radar and orbiting satellites as well as cellphone signals.
Despite the hurdles, coming up with a feasible tracking system is the first step toward using commercial drones the way many companies have planned. In fact, Amazon and Google have also come to agreements with NASA and will be testing drone technology at Ames.
It seems in the not-too-distant future, you might be buzzed by a drone carrying your Amazon order while your Google self-driving vehicle chauffeurs you to lunch.
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