One wonders what Eric Schmidt’s opinion is of the Google staff that we know using the technology. Perhaps the technology is just dandy in their hands? The issue of regulation does need to be addressed in the USA. As ever though the shuffling of chairs and meetings to organize meetings seem to top of the agenda for the FAA.
The BBC reports:- The influential head of Google, Eric Schmidt, has called for civilian drone technology to be regulated, warning about privacy and security concerns. Cheap miniature versions of the unmanned aircraft used by militaries could fall into the wrong hands, he told the UK’s Guardian newspaper.
Quarrelling neighbours, he suggested, might end up buzzing each other with private surveillance drones. He also warned of the risk of terrorists using the new technology. Mr Schmidt is believed to have close relations with US President Barack Obama, whom he advises on matters of science and technology.
“You’re having a dispute with your neighbour,” he told The Guardian in an interview printed on Saturday.
“How would you feel if your neighbour went over and bought a commercial observation drone that they can launch from their backyard. It just flies over your house all day. How would you feel about it?”
http://www.suasnews.com/2013/04/22242/google-chief-urges-action-to-regulate-mini-drones/
Comments
Really disappoints me this, particularly from google who drive a car around and fly planes taking pictures of everything.
Spying is illegal, and if that was your intention then climb a tree with an SLR. Cheaper, easier and better quality than a UAV.
Hasn't Google been in trouble recently for invasions or privacy regarding collecting WIFI data while driving their cars around with camera's on board looking into everyone's property? I fly FPV whenever I can and would never give it up as a result of some law being passed that was influenced by idiots like this.
Quite amazing its the lead story on my local radio station in South Africa, he might be making problems elsewhere!
I think we should put him up for the "Hypocrite of the Year" Award.
At the very least the all time "Fickle Finger of Fate" award.
I read this on the BBC News link and laughed SO hard. I know for a fact that Google used a california based UAV company in Mexico to gather high resolution / low altitude photography for Google Earth. So now that they use / have been using them, they do not want anyone else to elbow into being able to build better "aera specific" maps for Ag. / habitat / wildlife research (or just basic lands / property observations for private land owners).
this stinks as much as Boeing / Lockheed / Martin slowing the FAA regulation publication until they swallow all the smaller UAV companies until they have either bought them up, of just absorbed them into their own UAV program.
Cheers, Byron
I personally think he's right, that there should be at least some additional regulation. And I get the feeling that is not an unpopular feeling even among the DIY drone and RC communities.
Google did experiment with drones several years ago for collection of aerial imagery. I know they researched building platforms and software, but I don't know if the experiments went as far as flight testing.
“How would you feel if your neighbour went over and bought a loud stereo, and played music at high volume you can hear in your house all day. How would you feel about it?”
“How would you feel if your neighbour went over and bought a loud dirtbike, and ripped up and down his side yard right next to your house all day. How would you feel about it?”
“How would you feel if your neighbour went over and bought a lawnmower, and mowed his lawn all day while you are having a barbeque with guests. How would you feel about it?”
There Eric, I fixed it for you.
Got it
:-)
Referring to “ You're having a dispute with your neighbour...”
Not the newspaper article.
Muhammad,
Are you referring to the story I just posted?
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