Published on 21 Jun 2016
The
Federal Aviation Administration released new rules on commercial drone
usage, but you shouldn't expect your drone-delivered Amazon package
anytime soon.
The FAA set limits on a drone's speed, altitude
and weight, but the part getting the most attention is the one requiring
any unmanned aircraft to be within sight of its operator or a spotter.
That
rule is a huge blow to the dream of drone delivery services. If you’re
close enough to see the drone deliver a package, you might as well just
take it to the door yourself and save on the cost of buying a drone.
The CEO
of drone consulting firm Aerotas said: "Delivery is definitely getting
left out in the cold with these rules. All of the long-distance stuff
will clearly still have to wait."
But it may not have to wait for
long. Experts predict that once the FAA is comfortable with the
technology it will give companies more room to use drones over long
distances.
An FAA administrator said the new rules are "just our
first step. We’re already working on additional rules that will expand
the range of operations."
When the rules go into effect in
August, the roughly 7,000 companies that are waiting for government
approval will be able to use drones to help them do business, as long as
they keep an eye on them.
This video includes clips from Amazon and The Verge and images from Getty Images.
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