Drones have been a staple of military, hobbyists, and first responders alike for more than a decade. No longer limited to small quadcopters with limited battery life, drones are helping with search and rescue efforts, reshaping wars in Ukraine and Gaza, and delivering time-sensitive medical packages. And billions of dollars are being invested in building the next generation of fully autonomous systems.
These developments raise several questions: Are drones safe enough to fly in dense neighborhoods and cities? Is it an invasion of privacy for police to fly drones overhead at events or protests? Who gets to decide what level of drone autonomy is acceptable in a war zone?
These questions are no longer hypothetical. Advances in drone technology and sensors, falling prices, and deregulation are making drones cheaper, faster, and more capable than ever before. Let’s take a look at four of the biggest changes that will happen to drone technology in the near future.
—James O’Donnell
This story is an excerpt from MIT Technology Review’s What’s Next series, which explores industries, trends, and technologies to give you a first look into the future. Read the rest here.
Aging comes in your 40s and 60s, but your wellness doesn’t have to fall off a cliff.
—Jessica Hamzelou
According to researchers at Stanford University, you may feel like you’re going through a slow, gradual decline, but on a molecular level, you’re likely experiencing two waves of change. The first comes in your 40s. Ugh.
