Interest surges in DIY drones

[GuerrillaXXI]

Technology is threatening our freedom, but the shoe can go on the other foot, too. This story about DIY drones gives me back some hope that the balance of power needn't inevitably remain skewed in favor of the police state. What we need are more people with technical skills -- engineers, programmers, scientists, and skilled hobbyists -- to work on these and other projects.

Drones coming to a sky near you as interest surges
By Marcus Wohlsen, Associated Press
April 1, 2012

BERKELEY, Calif. (AP) — Sharp-eyed dog walkers along the San Francisco Bay waterfront may have spotted a strange-looking plane zipping overhead recently that that looked strikingly like the U.S. stealth drone captured by Iran in December.

A few key differences: The flying wing seen over Berkeley is a fraction of the size of the CIA's waylaid aircraft. And it's made of plastic foam. But in some ways it's just like a real spy plane.

The 4 1/2-foot-wide aircraft, built by software engineers Mark Harrison and Andreas Oesterer in their spare time, can fly itself to specified GPS coordinates and altitudes without any help from a pilot on the ground. A tiny video camera mounted on the front can send a live video feed to a set of goggles for the drone's view of the world below.

"It's just like flying without all the trouble of having to be up in the air," Harrison said.

Thousands of hobbyists are taking part in what has become a global do-it-yourself drone subculture, a pastime that's thriving as the Federal Aviation Administration seeks to make the skies friendlier to unmanned aircraft of all sizes.

The use of drones in the U.S. by law enforcement and other government agencies has privacy advocates on edge. At the same time, some DIY drone flyers believe the ease of sending cheap pilotless planes and choppers airborne gives citizens a powerful tool for keeping public servants on the ground honest.

More here: http://news.yahoo.com/drones-coming-...150302837.html

[ZanZibar]

Yeah, RC planes have been doing this for years. Throw some solar panels on top of the thing and if you're good enought it might could stay up indefinitely.


But of course realize, the FAA will probably prohibit anyone's drones except for the government's.

[GuerrillaXXI]

But of course realize, the FAA will probably prohibit anyone's drones except for the government's.

They certainly might do that if DIY drones start becoming a problem for the Powers That Be. Fortunately, such a law will be difficult to enforce.

[presence]

They certainly might do that if DIY drones start becoming a problem for the Powers That Be. Fortunately, such a law will be difficult to enforce.

...and so began the drone wars.