‘The Real Risk Is Not the Camera’: Drone Use in Non-Military Situations a Focus at UAV Conference
- Posted on August 10, 2012 at 6:09pm by
Liz Klimas
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Interest in the domestic use of drones is surging among public agencies and private citizens alike, including a thriving subculture of amateur hobbyists, even as the prospect of countless tiny but powerful eyes circling in the skies raises serious privacy concerns. (Photo: AP/Eric Risberg)
At the beginning of the week, the AUVSI (Association for Unmanned Vehicle Systems International) Unmanned Systems North America’s conference kicked off. Among the expected discussion of moving drone technology forward for military use, how the technology has a place in peacetime was prevalent as well.
Speaking at the conference, the Federal Aviation Administration’s Acting Administrator Michael Huerta said the administration is preparing to collect data that will allow it to develop regulations for the testing and licensing of drones for use by the military, private entities and individuals in the United States. Huerta also said the agency has been streamlining its certificate of authorization process.
“There’s a lot of work that needs to be done to move integration for all UAS forward, but I’m very, very optimistic that we will get there,” Huerta said according to a statement.
Others shared Huerta’s optimism for the acceptance of drone use outside of a warzone environment. Nevada’s Brig Gen. William Burks said his state is leading technological acceptance of the drones.
“What people don’t know they usually fear,” he said according to a statement. “The real risk is not the camera — it’s the irresponsible people using these systems in irresponsible ways.”
Burks said uses for drones that will help gain the public’s trust include fire fighting, power line inspection and weather monitoring.
NPR featured some of the technology at the conference that could be what the public will get used to seeing in future years. One is the Quad VTOL (vertical takeoff and landing) by Procerus Technologies, which was bought by Lockheed Martin. This drone, NPR writes, has a 3-mile range, can easily focus on objects as it is flying and is designed to fit into a suitcase. Here’s more from NPR:
Ease of use is key if manufacturers are going to start selling these things here at home. Local police and other first responders may not be willing to spend hours training staff on how to operate a drone the way the military has.
AeroVironment’s Raven is made to survive abuse by falling into pieces. That’s how this small, unmanned plane absorbs the energy of a rough landing. Crews simply put the pieces together again for the next use. That’s made this item a hit with military — 3,000 Ravens have been deployed for use overseas. AeroVironment hopes first responders and other domestic customers will show the same interest.
Translating what was once reserved as military technology is also being reviewed for its commercial uses as well. At the conference’s robotic trends workshop, the military’s Tank Automotive Research, Development and Engineering Center (TARDEC) discussed its project ARIBO, which would be testing in a laboratory environment situations where military technology will be used to help solve commercial problems. Here’s an example the conference website offered from the workshop:
Sometimes, it takes a disruptive event for disruptive technology to come into focus. That’s what happened in 11 March, when the Great East Japan Earthquake and the subsequent disaster at the Fukushima Dai’ichi nuclear plant made manned response ineffective and dangerous. QinetiQ responded by sending six robots to help respond to the disaster.
“We found out … unmanned platforms – whether they be air, ground, subsurface or maritime – they have a role to play,” said QinetiQ’s Charlie Dean. “They may not serve all capabilities, they may not solve all problems, but they certainly have a role to play in emergency response.”
This is not to say that privacy concerns regarding the drone use on American soil were ignored. NPR has more on the civil liberties angle covered at the conference:
In a panel discussion, law enforcement officials and attorneys said legal precedent provides protections against unreasonable searches, which should ease public concerns. But, Gregory McNeal of the Pepperdine University School of Law told the audience, ignoring civil liberties concerns could be a costly mistake. He said the UAV industry needs to explain the benefits of its products, and cannot sit back and complain that citizens’ concerns are unjustified.
Burks believed though that “all of the problems with UAVs” could be dealt with successfully.
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Comments (68)
Voice1percent
Posted on August 10, 2012 at 11:08pmOk step right up folks….always the entrepreneural type I am now selling shares for a new business which will roll out. You guessed it FuzzDrone Busters! I envision several models from quick VTOL units with mini scatterguns that shoot supersonice BB pellets to down in quick time. We will also be offering a switchout platform to allow for customization with rock salt, paint, acid, and remote cameras to follow them back to their hideout er hdqtrs. Initial stock offerings will start at $66.60 per share, (yeah you read that right.) The drones will start at an affordable $666.00 and will go up from there. For the ladies who wish to be in style we may offer a pink and white camo finish. Any takers?
Report Post »jimmyjamescontractor
Posted on August 10, 2012 at 10:53pmAdd your comments
Report Post »The_Cabrito_Goat
Posted on August 11, 2012 at 10:56am3 kill streak unlock! UAV waiting to go. Our UAV is online!
Report Post »Zombee
Posted on August 10, 2012 at 10:01pmThey can be taken out by a high powered hunting rifle. How much of our constitutional rights and civil liberties are we willing to relinquish to a totalitarian regime?
Report Post »Mr. H.
Posted on August 10, 2012 at 11:05pmThat is prosecutable as an attack on aircraft, a class A federal felony! It’s big time jail time.
That is also shooting at the sky, an A1 Ace dumb thing to never do! When you shoot at the sky, you are responsible for what the bullet hits coming down. If it hits a human, the charge is anything from murder to battery with a deadly weapon, again felonies and more big time jail time.
Report Post »ManThong
Posted on August 11, 2012 at 11:10pmLooks like a hovering skeet to me.
Report Post »grayling646
Posted on August 10, 2012 at 9:42pm“The real risk is not the camera — it’s the irresponsible people using these systems in irresponsible ways.”
By show of hands, how many people think that the government will act responsibly?
Report Post »Pancho Vanilla
Posted on August 12, 2012 at 4:00pmGood one! My hand goes only as high was the keyboard on my laptop because law enforcement already has seminars on how to perform criminal investigations using Facebook.
I will say we need these UAVs to watch over our Electric Grid – and if “John Q. Public” raises a fuss, then guess what? The government will damage the Grid themselves and blame it on…
Wait a minute!!!!
OK; now let’s get this correct: “al-Qaeda“ did ”9/11“ and the ”War on Terror”; and the Mexican Drug Cartels = “War on Drugs”; this kid “Holmes” in Aurora needed to be watched but he’s going to be written off as “insane”, but his replacement is this dude who shot up the Temple in Wisconsin and before the bodies were cold, labeled as a “White Supremacist, former Army – Homegrown Terrorist”
Who’s left to blame? When is Israel going to step in here and help “U.S.” out???? They have been bombarded for decades! Certainly they know what is useful, right?
Report Post »Lunertic
Posted on August 10, 2012 at 9:14pm“They who can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety, deserve neither liberty nor safety.” Benjamin Franklin
Report Post »Mr.Fitnah
Posted on August 10, 2012 at 9:01pmIf they are mass produced they will be cheap enough to have one for every man woman and child in the USA.
Report Post »DBlo
Posted on August 13, 2012 at 3:11pmThat sounds exactly like the thinking of a machine, to me.
Report Post »RLTW
Posted on August 10, 2012 at 8:22pmAlthough the use of these systems against American citizens should be considered an envision I would tell all that the use of many of these micro UAV’s is many years away. I’ve worked with many and found them unproven. Having said that, shoot them down, the optics and what they can actually see are garbage, loiter time in the air is max 30min.
So is the push bad, yes is the product good NO!
Report Post »Bohump
Posted on August 10, 2012 at 7:46pmYou would be skocked to know some of the gear, that can be put on a unit like that. ( see in the dark…inferred…read tag’s… look over you’r shoulder…carry weapon’s..ECT.)
Report Post »Maxim Crux
Posted on August 10, 2012 at 7:17pmNo… it is not just the camera that we are worried about, but the ordinance that can be attached to it!
The first use of drones is in military and civilian control applications. We do not need them to help put out fires or fly into a tornado to let us know that HEY, there is a fire…or DUCK, there is a tornado. To justify a false sense of security to allow these things to start flying is contrary to every inch of the constitution and freedom.
Report Post »hidden_lion
Posted on August 10, 2012 at 7:36pmTime to hone up on aerial target practice. Any and all drones should be brought down.
Report Post »republitarian
Posted on August 10, 2012 at 7:16pmThere is nothing wrong with this technology. The problem is that we can’t trust the government with its use.
Report Post »Dagnabbit5
Posted on August 10, 2012 at 7:00pmIts just as scary thinking of people like TMZ and every other rag mag type channel/website getting their hands on these things and snooping goes through the rough. Not to mention the potential voyeur possibilities these things represent.
Report Post »Dagnabbit5
Posted on August 10, 2012 at 7:28pmSorry, that should have been “through the roof”.
Report Post »oicu814me2
Posted on August 10, 2012 at 6:55pmI hope they keep them small. About the size of a skeet disc would be sporty.
Report Post »The-Monk
Posted on August 10, 2012 at 6:58pmLOL…. Catchy user name!
Report Post »Dougral Supports Israel
Posted on August 10, 2012 at 6:55pmThe problem will be in government using these things to monitor and fine us for every blasted thing we do. Imagine every level of government using drones to try and spot finable offenses while legislators and regulators pump out more cash cows daily. How long will it be before they have the capability of measuring the length of our grass and sending a ticket to anyone with a few errantly long blades?
Report Post »grayling646
Posted on August 10, 2012 at 10:16pmThanks a lot. You reminded me. I have to cut my grass.
Report Post »Brother Winston Smith
Posted on August 10, 2012 at 6:55pmAhhhhh… drink in the sweet bounty of the Obama/Romney/democrat/republican UNCONSTITUTIONAL police/surveillance state.
Our 4th amendment:
The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.
As for me… I’ve had enough. Ron Paul 2012! Tampa! NO EXCUSES!!!!!!
Report Post »kaydeebeau
Posted on August 10, 2012 at 6:55pmOh look, electronic skeet……
Report Post »Crazythistle
Posted on August 10, 2012 at 8:13pmlol
Report Post »resme
Posted on August 10, 2012 at 6:53pmWe should start flying camera’d drones over top various congress members houses
Report Post »The-Monk
Posted on August 10, 2012 at 6:55pmHi resme,
Don’t know if you got my last post. Here it is;
Try this in IE9. Left click on “tools”, then “F12 developer tools”. A window will appear at the bottom of IE9. Left click on the “Cache” tab and left click once on each of the 4 “clear” selections. Do this with Firefox closed and then reboot and see what happens (go to The Blaze and see which avatar appears).
Report Post »resme
Posted on August 10, 2012 at 8:01pmHmm, test test.
Report Post »resme
Posted on August 10, 2012 at 8:04pmNope did not work, Going to email support. Mind if i grab that email address for support again?
Thanks for the help, this is really odd…
Report Post »resme
Posted on August 10, 2012 at 8:13pm:O, It worked after trying what you just said, But logging out and back in. Thanks a million The-monk.
The blaze really needs a private messaging system.
Report Post »The-Monk
Posted on August 10, 2012 at 10:15pm@resme
Glad to be of help. Let others who are having issues know to contact me. I really like helping people.
“But logging out and back in.”
That’s why I said to reboot. That would insure that you logged out then back in.
Report Post »The-Monk
Posted on August 10, 2012 at 10:29pmTO EVERYONE….
If you are having computer issues please look me up and I will try to fix the problem(s).
You can find my latest post (where I’m at) by clicking on the link below:
http://www.theblaze.com/users/the-monk/
Report Post »RedDawn2012
Posted on August 11, 2012 at 7:34amYou like to log out and back in again? I’ve been doing it FOR MONTHS on the Blaze site. I’m running XP and using Firefox (IE and Chrome have the SAME problem). When I go to The Blaze, it shows that I am logged on (my user name is shown on the top, right of the screen). But if I write a comment, it will NOT post until I log OFF and then back ON again (using the Google sign-in box). At that point I’m good for posting comments until I exit the browser. When I next load the browser and go to The Blaze to make a comment, I must repeat this idiotic process. I, of course, notified The Blaze long ago, but got no response. What the hell?
Report Post »Carefreeflyer
Posted on August 10, 2012 at 6:53pmThis is totally unacceptable.
Report Post »Vanguard17
Posted on August 10, 2012 at 6:51pm“The real risk” is the erosion of the 4th amendment (unreasonable search… as in warrantless) and the growth of big brother.
“What people don’t know they usually fear,”…
Remember yellow 6-point star badges for the greater good? Those also helped immediately identify “risks” back in the day….
This whole concept sniffs of fascism. Prepare.
Report Post »Smokey_Bojangles
Posted on August 10, 2012 at 6:45pmThe real risk is getting pieces of it in your eye after blowing it away with a 30-06.
Report Post »dissentnow
Posted on August 10, 2012 at 6:28pmWhen Americans accept drones flying over our cities, then we have lost what it means to be Americans.
Report Post »Countrygirl1362
Posted on August 10, 2012 at 6:43pmThis is just another step for the government taking complete control over the people. “They will learn to trust”.
Report Post »MDECKER
Posted on August 10, 2012 at 6:45pmWho said the private citizen was prohibited from acquiring drones for their own purposes. Counter-surveillance is just one practical application. There is a reason God created the fly, and man, the fly-swatter.
Report Post »dissentnow
Posted on August 10, 2012 at 6:56pm“Who said the private citizen was prohibited from acquiring drones for their own purposes”
Will we be required to register our drones?
Report Post »Will there be a 3 day waiting period before we can buy a drone?
justangry
Posted on August 10, 2012 at 6:27pmPeople lived through natural disasters and power outages long before this technology became available. No matter how you spin it, I don’t like it. I don’t trust the people using it, and the government ALWAYS fails at oversight. I think the risks of abuse far outweigh its advantages.
Report Post »republitarian
Posted on August 10, 2012 at 8:16pmSo… Outright ban? Think it through.
Report Post »southernORcobra
Posted on August 10, 2012 at 6:27pmI see one of these things around me it’s going down.
Report Post »Rothbardian_in_the_Cleve
Posted on August 10, 2012 at 6:23pm“The real risk is not the camera — it’s the irresponsible people using these systems in irresponsible ways.”
Really? You think? So that means….like EVERYONE in the government!!!!
You buy 600 dollar hammers!!! You lie to us every day!!! Your police beat us and search us and kick in our doors. The TSA gropes old women. You’ve spent the future of the next 3 generations and turned us all into serfs.
So I suppose YOU are the responsible ones huh? The nerve of these people!!!!
Report Post »FREEDOMoverFEAR
Posted on August 10, 2012 at 6:15pmI like the high tech wiffle balls and blue tape. Definitely fit for Government use.
Report Post »FREEDOMoverFEAR
Posted on August 10, 2012 at 6:14pmYay the cops can now monitor us more easily, and due to the fact that police already use dogs to violate our 4th amendment rights, I’m sure there will be a day when robots are allowed to enter dwellings to inspect for criminal activities with out a warrant. Who cares though if you’re not a criminal then why does it matter right?
Report Post »stumpy68
Posted on August 10, 2012 at 8:05pmDogs , infrared,electric co. meter/utility bill ,and a multitude of high tech listening / snooping devices
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