Imagining the social future of drones

Abstract

Despite the opportunities afforded by the growing use of drones, their civilian use causes concern as they can capture, share and store images of events and people following a set of norms still in development. The main challenges risen by drone usage relates mainly to existing gaps in regulation and the difficulty to enforce approved guidelines. Further changes and implementation of drone legislation will broadly affect current applications and future opportunities shaping the way civilians will be allowed to use drones. This article explores these issues qualitatively, analysing (i) civilian users’ and developers’ views on drone usage, (ii) their knowledge of relevant regulations and (iii) how they imagine its use should be regulated. In its conclusion, this article discusses the general concern of potential privacy infringements and the importance to take into account civilians’ thoughts in further implementation of drone law in order to protect recreational practices.

Eyes in the Sky: Drones Applications in the Built Environment under Climate Change Challenges

“…This capability is instrumental in monitoring wildlife in heterogeneous habitats and topographically challenging areas. Furthermore, UAVs have been employed in imaging and surveillance applications, providing aerial views and the real-time monitoring of events and locations [24]. They have been used for aerial photography, cinematography, and mapping, offering unique perspectives and capturing striking visuals.…”

“…Selecting optimal processing platforms depends on weighing factors, such as usage costs, processing times, data security needs, analysis requirements, and team experience level. For most inspection and mapping applications, user-friendly commercial photogrammetry suites require minimal training while providing speed, scalability, and robust outputs [24,177]. Open-source tools better suit research needs for a customized analysis, such as environmental monitoring applications and climate change research.…”

The Legal Frameworks Governing Unmanned Aerial Vehicles

“…The FAA has established a comprehensive set of rules for both recreational and commercial UAV use, including registration requirements, operational limitations (e.g., maximum altitude, line-of-sight operations), and certification processes for commercial operators. The FAA's Part 107 rule, for example, outlines the operational and certification requirements for commercial UAV operators, balancing the need for safety with the potential economic benefits of UAV technology (Serafinelli, 2022;Stöcker et al, 2017). The approach in the U.S. reflects a pragmatic response to the rapid evolution of UAV technology, with ongoing adjustments to the regulatory framework to address emerging challenges, such as remote identification and unmanned traffic management (UTM) systems.…”

“…The approach in the U.S. reflects a pragmatic response to the rapid evolution of UAV technology, with ongoing adjustments to the regulatory framework to address emerging challenges, such as remote identification and unmanned traffic management (UTM) systems. These efforts aim to facilitate the safe integration of UAVs into the airspace, acknowledging the technology's potential for innovation across various sectors (Serafinelli, 2022;Stöcker et al, 2017).…”