Topic: Who here has a drone?

[jfrabat]

I am seriously considering the 3D Robotics Y6; lots of cool features (including autonomous flight), but I find their "Follow Me" flight mode specially interesting for filming yourself (or, say, your Jeep fording a river, for example).

<a href="https://www.youtube.com/v/2CCQy1cbbfE" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="bbc_link bbc_flash_disabled new_win">https://www.youtube.com/v/2CCQy1cbbfE</a>

Of course, I would use a Sony ActionCam instead of the GoPro Hero...  I already found a 2 axis gimbal to 3D print (costs about $50 to have it printed locally).

[chrisfranklin]

That is kind of interesting.  Certainly cheaper than the cost of having somebody in a full size helicopter above you shooting aerial footage.     Can see those drones realizing the term, "helicopter parent" lol

But I also suspect we'll see news headlines in the States in a few years along the lines of:  "Drone Conks Man; Suit Filed; Lawmakers Convene"  Wonder if aviation insurers have plans to get in on the drone game, yet.

[jfrabat]

That is kind of interesting.  Certainly cheaper than the cost of having somebody in a full size helicopter above you shooting aerial footage.     Can see those drones realizing the term, "helicopter parent" lol

But I also suspect we'll see news headlines in the States in a few years along the lines of:  "Drone Conks Man; Suit Filed; Lawmakers Convene"  Wonder if aviation insurers have plans to get in on the drone game, yet.

Lawsuits are already ongoing...  You don't need to wait for that.  Lawyers...

[neale_rs]

One local Jeeper has one and now he takes aerial photos of events all the time.

[chrisfranklin]

Lawsuits are already ongoing...  You don't need to wait for that.  Lawyers...

Do the suits involve personal injury, Felipe?

[jfrabat]

Do the suits involve personal injury, Felipe?

So far, and as far as I know, no.  Drones like these are typically too small to cause any serious harm to either people or property.  They are about as dangerous as a BB gun, as in, they CAN pose a risk, but not a HUGE one.  I know of a case of a guy using one to film planes landing, which could have turned deadly, but no accidents happened.

[chrisfranklin]

So far, and as far as I know, no.  Drones like these are typically too small to cause any serious harm to either people or property.  They are about as dangerous as a BB gun, as in, they CAN pose a risk, but not a HUGE one.  I know of a case of a guy using one to film planes landing, which could have turned deadly, but no accidents happened.

I think you're in good shape in Panama.  

[sharpxmen]

apparently FAA attempted to put some regulation on them but some court ruled that is out of their jurisdiction. so free for all (at least for now).

[chrisfranklin]

apparently FAA attempted to put some regulation on them but some court ruled that is out of their jurisdiction. so free for all (at least for now).

I think it is a free-for-all for awhile.  Even though the feds are out of it, it's not going to prevent states and localities from putting some new drone-related laws on their books if/when they have a reason to do so.  Right now, though, there's not a lot of reason -- no minor injuries reported, no property damage, no interference with civilian/commercial aviation, no skies thick with them, no noise issues. 

We'll see how it is in 5-10 years.   

[jagular7]

I wonder how it determines the height to be with trees or other high-off-the-ground interferences, power lines, cable, birds?

[Jeffy]

I wonder how it determines the height to be with trees or other high-off-the-ground interferences, power lines, cable, birds?

By GPS.

This video gives you a better idea of how they work.  RC quad-copters and planes have been around for a while.  There are already laws governing them for the most part.  The problem is most of the people getting into them now aren't RC people and don't want or don't know there are rules.

Also most multi/quad-copters aren't autonomous and aren't drones because of it.  Though the media likes to call everything that's RC a drone.  I remember the media talking about 'underwater drones' when they were talking about searching for flight MH370.   

<a href="https://www.youtube.com/v/ptVJGrOpyok#t=12" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="bbc_link bbc_flash_disabled new_win">https://www.youtube.com/v/ptVJGrOpyok#t=12</a>

[chrisfranklin]

I think it is a free-for-all for awhile.  Even though the feds are out of it, it's not going to prevent states and localities from putting some new drone-related laws on their books if/when they have a reason to do so.  Right now, though, there's not a lot of reason -- no minor injuries reported, no property damage, no interference with civilian/commercial aviation, no skies thick with them, no noise issues. 

We'll see how it is in 5-10 years.   

Maybe I spoke too soon on the interference with commercial aviation business.  This is today: 

http://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-ln-drone-lax-20140822-story.html