The Next Five Years
The third and final instalment of our future predictions for you to enjoy.
One Pilot Multiple Drones
Many people will want to try to do this because it would give more efficient workloads to one person. The person will be able to multitask and complete the work of multiple people at once. The risk that comes with this is that one person would have to spread out their attention to each drone and make sure each one is following protocols and ensure the safety of the surrounding property and people.
Higher Flight Altitudes
With beyond visual line of sight, it is possible that people will want to fly at higher altitudes with more powerful UAS. UAS can also get larger which allows sustained flight at higher altitudes. The risk that could come with these higher altitudes is that pilots will have to be more aware of weather changes at high altitudes, pockets of turbulent air, and ensure a proper crash landing in the event of a failure.
Drone Taxi
Current technology is working on passenger transport with larger UAS. Though the technology is almost here, the safety and public opinion is not at the same pace. There are many questions on what would happen in the event of a failure. There is very high risk when using this kind of technology that results in death. The safety components would have to ensure that the passenger would come out almost unscathed in the event of a failure.
Drone Parking
Since drone taxis are a possible outcome, drone parking/landing platforms will appear with it. Drone landing areas would have to be designated which would be difficult in very crowded cities. The risk of a 200+ pound drone coming in for a landing could endanger the surrounding people.
UAS Security Screening
Since drones are becoming smaller and more powerful with longer flight times, anyone could carry one around and spy on other people more discreetly than before. Also, more people would get away with illegal flights that can cause harm or danger by violating recreational and commercial laws. Though a UAS traffic management system is being developed, there needs to be a way to monitor the more discreetly used drones that could endanger others. For example, a small drone could be flying and the UTM would not identify it because it is very smart. This drone could potentially crash into a helicopter flying at low altitudes and the drone could either cause damage to the helicopter or the flying debris from the drone can harm a person within the vicinity.
