Let’s face it, we’re not going to just start off with computers flying humans around right away. The first space shuttles were, after all, unmanned for good reasons. We have to learn to crawl before we can learn to walk, lest we trip and smash our head against the pavement. Delivery of lighter objects than humans is a good place to start.
Sure, we do have a flying car already, notably the Terrafugia Transition, but it’s really more of a driving plane. It’s not the VTOL we’ve dreamed of for decades. Developing a well functioning delivery drone network will pave the way for confidence in a practical network of drones delivering people. Humans have notoriously poor navigation skills in three-dimensional environments, so unmanned aerial vehicles seem a safer option than those prone to human error.
This revolution will start, or be catalyzed, when companies such as FedEx and UPS adopt drones to their fleets. Renowned futurist Thomas Frey gives this a time frame of 10-15 years. It’s likely to follow this pattern: Drones start by delivering packages, shortly after which they become so cheap that they can deliver Pizza, whereupon the technology evolves to a stage where it is both cheap and safe enough to transport humans. After that, only our imagination can limit drones’ functionality, and they could be involved in search and rescue missions (fitted with radars/heat sensors etc), going back home to pick up the camera you forgot to bring on your trip or spying on spouses that always work late.
Flying drones are already gaining popularity for use with the military as well as certain police jurisdictions (the technology’s potential for impingement on individual liberty is certainly a cause for caution), and as with so many successful projects piloted by the Pentagon, they have a tendency to reach the mainstream some years later. Like the internet, for example.
50 years from now, the ground in urban areas may be reserved mainly for pedestrians, and garages could be moved to our rooftops and include small helipads. These drones will likely become on-demand vehicles, like taxis, that can be requested from your mobile device, enabling more efficient use of these vehicles. Cars of today are typically in use only for a couple of hours each day, whereas the drones can be employed for 18-20 hours each day. Since they’re rarely stationery, this will greatly alleviate existing parking facilities.
Watch the video below to see Yale’s prototype of a grabbing, flying drone. Obviously, this technology is still in its infancy, but it shows great promise.

Love you because of who you are, but because of who I am when I am with you~
Posted by: Nike Shox Shoes | 01/06/2011 at 05:10 PM
The plane is so cute. Ah ha, I love it.
Posted by: Spy Cameras | 03/03/2011 at 11:28 PM
IN YOUR ARMS, AS THE DAWN IS BREAKING, FACE TO FACE AND A THOUSAND MILES APATR.
Posted by: Nike Shox NZ | 04/06/2011 at 06:22 PM
Great trial, I think this gonna be popular and highly developed one day.
Posted by: laser pointer | 06/30/2011 at 11:25 PM
Man must look just as ridiculous to the crab when it sees him walk forward.
Posted by: Cheap Prada Bags | 07/04/2011 at 04:11 AM
The sub-committee's June 30-July 2, 2010, meeting showed how GHS implementation is advancing around the world. It became mandatory for chemical substances in the Republic of Korea on July 1, 2010, and will be mandatory for mixtures there on July 1, 2013. Switzerland allowed consumer products classified and labeled in accordance with GHS to be sold as of July 1, 2010, but its reclassification of substances will not be in force until December 2012. Serbia adopted a law implementing GHS on June 29, 2010, that sets a transition period for CLP implementation ending Sept. 1, 2011, for substances and June 1, 2015, for mixtures. Two standards implementing GHS in China took effect May 1, 2010, and a system for coordinating GHS implementation by government and industry is being developed there. Australia expects to release a GHS implementation regulation for public comment in September 2010, and in the United States, OSHA is now drafting its Hazard Communication final rule implementing GHS.
Posted by: justin bieber shoes | 07/19/2011 at 11:46 PM
Bu program kapsamında, için rekabet için uygun olanlar, İçişleri Bakanlığı Hint İşleri Bürosu tarafından federal tanınan Amerikan Kızılderili kabileleri ve Alaska yerel köylerde, gruplar veya topluluklar, içerir. arg
Posted by: nakliyat | 07/26/2011 at 10:48 AM
I thought it is going to be some boring old post, but it really compensat for ours time. I will posted a link to the article on our blog. I am sure ours.
Posted by: Mickey Mantle Jersey | 08/06/2011 at 01:17 AM
Well said. I appreciate your thinking
Posted by: Herve Leger | 08/22/2011 at 03:41 AM
The good seaman is known in bad weather.
Posted by: Sandals Online | 09/21/2011 at 05:09 AM
You should be the change you desire to glimpse in the world.
Posted by: Adidas Shoes | 09/23/2011 at 02:01 AM
Your post is really very helpful for all , I am searching more about it .
Posted by: cheap watches | 11/04/2011 at 08:13 AM
It's great to hear from you and see what you've been up to. In your blog I feel your enthusiasm for life. thank you.
Posted by: moncler jackets | 11/30/2011 at 08:30 PM
Cain vowed to remain in the presidential race as long as he has the support of his wife Adidas Wings Shoes
Posted by: JS Panda Shoes | 11/30/2011 at 10:27 PM