3 ms·

It seems like this need would naturally lead to very small camera drones specifically for this purpose. Probably pocket-size and, eventually, inexpensive. I k

It seems like this need would naturally lead to very small camera drones specifically for this purpose. Probably pocket-size and, eventually, inexpensive. I know that lifting a camera and battery requires a sufficient amount of thrust, but if flight was limited to one minute then it could probably be very small. Wind might be an issue, but flying insects have been around for a while. Engineers will figure it out. Hopefully the long term regulations would permit such small personal drones with a very limited flight time.

snowwrestler 12y ago
And if the battery runs out? The drone falls onto some rock climber 1,000 feet below.
- maxerickson 12y ago
  Are there tourists lookouts that are above popular climbing routes? Seems a little contrived to me. What if a tourist drops a can of soda? I guess if people really can't stand not having such shots the thing to do would be to license some people to use the drones and make sure they avoid doing the most horribly dangerous things (maybe they could use tethers or something).
  - ajuhasz 12y ago
    I agree this is a bit of a stretch as an example, but yes people do drop stuff on climbers. Still an interesting story and maybe a good sign that even the smallest objects (drones or boulders) can lead to a runaway effect on a cliff. Thankfully though, it does have to be a "one in a million" coincidence to hurt someone. http://www.outsideonline.com/outdoor-adventure/climbing/rock-climbing/Dropped.html http://www.outsideonline.com/outdoor-adventure/climbing/rock...
  - snowwrestler 12y ago
    > Are there tourists lookouts that are above popular climbing routes? Definitely. In Yosemite both Half Dome and El Cap have hiking trails to the top and are very popular for climbing. There's an old joke in climbing when you top out among the hikers: "Wait, you mean there's another way up this thing??" Edit to add: even though a falling drone would probably not actually hit a climber, I don't think anyone wants the base of El Cap littered with smashed little drones.
    - maxerickson 12y ago
      Yeah, I don't think people need to be commonly operating drones in these areas (I'd still probably be okay with allowing them on Tuesdays or something like that). On the other hand, I don't think there needs to be special rules for every potential type of litter.
- radley 12y ago
  You mean like dropping a penny?
- baddox 12y ago
  What if your brakes on your car fail while you're driving to or through the park?

snowwrestler 12y ago

And if the battery runs out? The drone falls onto some rock climber 1,000 feet below.

maxerickson 12y ago
Are there tourists lookouts that are above popular climbing routes? Seems a little contrived to me. What if a tourist drops a can of soda? I guess if people really can't stand not having such shots the thing to do would be to license some people to use the drones and make sure they avoid doing the most horribly dangerous things (maybe they could use tethers or something).
- ajuhasz 12y ago
  I agree this is a bit of a stretch as an example, but yes people do drop stuff on climbers. Still an interesting story and maybe a good sign that even the smallest objects (drones or boulders) can lead to a runaway effect on a cliff. Thankfully though, it does have to be a "one in a million" coincidence to hurt someone. http://www.outsideonline.com/outdoor-adventure/climbing/rock-climbing/Dropped.html http://www.outsideonline.com/outdoor-adventure/climbing/rock...
- snowwrestler 12y ago
  > Are there tourists lookouts that are above popular climbing routes? Definitely. In Yosemite both Half Dome and El Cap have hiking trails to the top and are very popular for climbing. There's an old joke in climbing when you top out among the hikers: "Wait, you mean there's another way up this thing??" Edit to add: even though a falling drone would probably not actually hit a climber, I don't think anyone wants the base of El Cap littered with smashed little drones.
  - maxerickson 12y ago
    Yeah, I don't think people need to be commonly operating drones in these areas (I'd still probably be okay with allowing them on Tuesdays or something like that). On the other hand, I don't think there needs to be special rules for every potential type of litter.
radley 12y ago
You mean like dropping a penny?
baddox 12y ago
What if your brakes on your car fail while you're driving to or through the park?