Facebook wants to place internet drones over specific population centers.
Facebook and Internet.org revealed their intentions last week to connect the developing world through aerial drones and satellites. Their plans drew the inevitable comparisons to Google’s Project Loon, which would field fleets of balloons in the Earth’s stratosphere. The similarities weren’t lost on Facebook founder and CEO Mark Zuckerberg.
80% of the commercial market for drones will eventually be for agricultural uses.
Drones are moving quickly from the battlefield to the farmer’s field. They are on the verge of helping growers oversee millions of acres throughout rural America and saving them big money in the process.
Continue reading… “The future of drones expected to transform agriculture”
Drones will freeze pollutants in midair with 176 pounds of chemicals.
China has decided to use drones on the front lines of its “war on pollution.” The drones will fire chemicals into the air, which will freeze pollutants and cause them to fall to the ground. Armed with 176 pounds of chemicals, which is expected to clear a five-kilometer radius, the drones will launch later this month.
Continue reading… “China to deploy drones to control pollution”
Autonomous drone flock
The first drones that can fly as a coordinated flock has been created by Hungarian researchers. The team watched as the ten autonomous robots took to the air in a field outside Budapest, zipping through the open sky, flying in formation or even following a leader, all without any central control. (Video)
Continue reading… “Autonomous drones flock like birds”
One day robots will replace humans in certain jobs.
Eric Schmidt, Google chairman, thinks robots have their work cut out for them if they want to replace people. “There’s something about humans that technologists always forget,” he said. “Humans are creative and unpredictable.”
Continue reading… “9 robots that are actually stealing our jobs”
Laser Weapon System
The U.S. Navy will turn fiction into reality when it deploys its first laser weapon aboard one of its ships this summer. The solid-state Laser Weapons System promises to be able to incinerate aerial drones and speedboats quickly and less expensive that today’s weapons, which typically relies on a finite supply of interceptor missiles that cost roughly $1.4 million a shot. The laser, on the other hand, can be fired continuously and costs just a few bucks per shot. A prototype will be deployed this summer on board the USS Ponce in the Persian Gulf.
Continue reading… “U.S. Navy to add futuristic laser weapon to its arsenal this summer”
Drones allow the filmmaker to get much closer to his subject.
At the Winter Olympics in Sochi, drones were used to film ski and snowboarding events. But the use of unmanned aerial vehicles for sports photography is far from a passing gimmick. In fact, you should expect more and more athletic events to be filmed by drone. (Videos)
Continue reading… “Drones are the future of sports photography”
The UAE is looking to use drones to deliver government documents.
Drone delivery could soon become a reality in the United Arab Emirates. The UAE government announced it is developing a plan to use drones to deliver “official documents and packages,” stuff like government IDs and drivers licenses.
Continue reading… “Delivery drones that can scan your eyes coming soon to the UAE”
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L7WR8MamHus[/youtube]
Quadcopter drones are built specifically for an easy takeoff and stable flight, but landing can be a tricky task. They generally need to land on flat ground or risk toppling over.
Continue reading… “Bird-inspired drone with robotic legs can perch on a branch”
Drones that can fly into some of the most dangerous crime scenes and disaster zones are coming to the aid of police officers and other first responders who put themselves in harm’s way. (Videos)
Continue reading… “Drones could be the next frontier in emergency response”
Sometime in the near future, you might take a bike ride with a couple of drones–one flying in front, one in back–to protect you from nearby cars. As you ride around tight corners, the “Cyclodrone” will shine a beacon of light to warn drivers that you’re there, hosting a tiny camera to record any accidents.
Continue reading… “Cyclodrone – Friendly drones that could save your life”
A predator drone
Border patrol drones are increasingly being borrowed by federal, state and local law enforcement agencies for domestic surveillance operations, newly released records show, a harbinger of what is expected to become the commonplace use of unmanned aircraft by police.
By delving into the futuring techniques of Futurist Thomas Frey, you’ll embark on an enlightening journey.
Learn More about this exciting program.