Drone Technology Embraced by More Americans as Benefits Become Widespread

Drone Technology Embraced by More Americans as Benefits
Become Widespread
Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), usually referred to as drones, are beginning to see a
more positive response from United States citizens as benefits, public and economic,
derived from its use by the US public sector become more widely known. As a consequence
numerous states are currently considering drone legislation. Companies in the drone
technology space must consider working side by side with the public sector.
GlobalCommunicationLeader-June 03, 2014-
Austin, TX - Picture this – unmanned aerial vehicles delivering pizzas to private homes, depositing
pharmacy prescriptions and/or transporting books and tapes from a commercial online vendor to any
location. People definitely find the convenience concept attractive. As a result, Americans are
beginning to see a more positive side of drone technology.
Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), usually referred to as drones, may become common delivery
vehicles in the not-too-distant future. In the competitive space where war is being waged between
Amazon, UPS and established retail outlets, speed and efficiency are prevailing and Americans are
beginning to find drone technology extremely interesting.
But perhaps the greatest marketplace for drone technology will be in public sector marketplaces.
Governmental entities are considering drone technology for public safety, security on university
campuses, research capabilities and more.
Still, in some quarters, drones are feared. The negative vibes are coming from people who think of
drones that hover and collect information or data as being harbingers of “Big Brother.” They fear an
infringement of the privacy rights of Americans.
But, when the negative perception of drones is overcome, as most believe it will be, drone
technology will likely become a multi-billion-dollar industry in the United States rather quickly. The

Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to date has issued fewer than 400 permits for drones, but that
number is expected to increase exponentially in the coming years.
Here’s a strong indication of acceptance – numerous states are currently considering drone
legislation. They simply are not waiting for the federal government to move.
Texas is in the forefront of the trend toward commercialization of drone technology. Texas
A&M-Corpus Christi was selected by the FAA to be one of the sites in only six states chosen for
testing of drones. A&M-Corpus Christi has been involved in drone research for a couple of years at
its Lone Star Unmanned Aircraft Systems Center.
According to the Association of Unmanned Vehicles International, once American airspace is opened
to the use of UAVs, the economic impact statewide is expected to be huge. Consider that in Texas
there could be an $8 billion impact, including a $260 million impact in South Texas over the next
decade. More than 1,200 new jobs would also be created.
Not all UAVs being used by the federal government carry weapons or belong to the military. Many
drones are used for public safety or to manage a crisis situation. Some have been used for disaster
surveillance and disaster relief.
America has more than 60 drone sites. And, counted in that number are half a dozen in Texas. The
city of Arlington uses unmanned aircraft, or drones, for police operations. The Arlington Police
Department’s drone is a battery-powered, remote-controlled helicopter less than 50 feet long and it
is “armed” with cameras.
In Oklahoma City, fire officials are studying the use of drones to battle wild fires, providing real-time
video of the fire area and changing wind directions. That information can help firefighters survey an
area, collect data and know that they will not be trapped by a changing wind pattern. Drones have
been instrumental in saving lives of firefighters.
Researchers in Michigan are testing drone technology for mapping roads, identifying potholes and
studying traffic patterns. A project of a division of the U.S. Department of Transportation called

Unpaved Roads is working to help states monitor unpaved roads and predict when critical repairs
are needed.
Aviation technology students at Purdue University are being taught how to operate and fly drones
indoors. Purdue officials believe that training individuals is a huge marketplace of the future. The
FAA plans to issue guidelines for drone operation for commercial purposes in 2015.
Off the Washington coast, environmental researchers are using drones to monitor marine wildlife.
The uses of drone technology are extremely diverse.
Forest Service officials have used drones to spot fires and battle wildfires. Parks service employees
can also use drones to find lost hikers. Public officials as well as environmentalists see drones as a
vehicle that allows them to survey areas after natural disasters such as floods or tornadoes.
With adequate, but not suppressive regulation, the use of drones by the government sector will be
successful. The trick will be to balance the technology with privacy issues. This can definitely be
done as drone technology is too large an economic driver to be stifled by misinformation and
unwarranted fear. Companies in the drone technology space must consider working side by side
with the public sector to ensure that education and success stories reach citizens to remove fear and
promote public support.
Technology and infrastructure leaders in this emerging new drone market interested in reaching
American officials and obtaining additional examples of current projects can find more information
at http://www.spartnerships.com
About the Company
Strategic Partnerships, Inc. (SPI) is a full-service government affairs and procurement consulting
firm. SPI teams work with clients to identify upcoming opportunities and capture new business. SPI
is recognized as a pioneer in the business of partnering public and private entities for commercial
purposes. For more information contact Anna Scott, Corporate/External Relations, at 512-531-3919
and/or visit http://www.spartnerships.com

When the negative perception of drones is overcome, as most believe it will be, drone
technology will likely become a multi-billion-dollar industry in the United States rather
quickly
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