UAV roundup January 2016: The latest in unmanned aerial vehicle news
In this first 2016 edition of the unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) roundup, we touch on a number of topics, including some news involving the FAA’s drone registration rules, a drone flying into a sinkhole on Good Morning America, and the launch of the first commercially-available single-passenger drone.
FAA drone registration rules challenged in Federal Court
On December 21, the FAA began enforcing its new regulation that recreational drones and other unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) be registered. Shortly after the rules were in place, a case was filed by insurance attorney and recreational UAS hobbyist, John A. Taylor, who alleged that the new regulations are a direct violation to the FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012.
Section 336 of the act, according to Taylor, invalidated the new regulations, and as a result, the Federal Court should stop the FAA’s activities. "The Administrator of the [FAA] may not promulgate any rule or regulation regarding a model aircraft, or an aircraft being developed as a model aircraft,” says Section 336.
Drone flies into sinkhole on live TV
Good Morning America recently used a vision-guided drone to follow a team of ice climbers down into an ice sinkhole in Iceland.
Amy Robach, news anchor for Good Morning America, watched as a group of expert climbers descended to the bottom of the sinkhole, which is thousands of feet deep. The climbers, from the Icelandic Association for Search and Rescue, are a unit comprised of volunteers that train in areas such as this in order to prepare for actual rescue scenarios. The group has also acted as guides during the filming of such movies and television as "Star Wars," "Interstellar," "Game of Thrones," and "Thor."
The group’s efforts help scientists to learn more about how ice melts and sweeps into the oceans, raising sea levels around the world and threatening coastlines.
Registered drones in the U.S. approaching 200,000
More than 180,000 United States citizens and counting have registered a drone with the FAA.
Speaking at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas in early January, FAA administrator Michael Huerta noted that that 181,061 people have registered themselves as drone owners. According to the aforementioned FAA regulation, drone owners are legally required to register their device if it weighs between 0.2kg and 25kg, and those who are caught flying without one at risk of being fined.
Single-passenger drone unveiled at CES 2016
Chinese company Ehang unveiled the world’s first commercially-available passenger drone during the 2016 Consumer Electronic Show.
Development for the Ehang 184 began in 2013 in the Chinese city of Guangzhou. The drone is designed to fly altitudes between about 1,000 feet and 1,600 feet -- with a top altitude of more than 11,000 feet, and can support up to 220 pounds. Reports are that the drone could cost approximately $300,000, but no official price has been determined. Ehang hopes to launch the drone this year.
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About the Author
James Carroll
Former VSD Editor James Carroll joined the team 2013. Carroll covered machine vision and imaging from numerous angles, including application stories, industry news, market updates, and new products. In addition to writing and editing articles, Carroll managed the Innovators Awards program and webcasts.