In The Near Future Drones Will be Doing What People Can’t and Won’t
The emerging generation of drones won’t just dominate the skies; they’ll also swim and walk.
Related articles
Asked to define a drone, most people think first of fun little flying machines, equipped with cameras that take amazingly crisp aerial videos on outdoor expeditions. I’ve personally spent far too much time capturing cinematic footage of my rural surroundings with the brilliant DJI Mavic Pro, and the resulting video footage – if you ask me, anyway – looks like it was captured by a Hollywood crew with a helicopter. Drones are already being used widely in the world of TV and film; the buzz of their little blades became a part of the soundscape of the PyeongChang Winter Olympics.
The emerging generation of drones won’t just dominate the skies; they’ll also swim and walk. The BIKI is a recently created underwater drone that looks and swims just like a fish, allowing divers and marine biologists to interact with the underwater ecosystem without scaring off flighty fishes. And on land, engineers at Boston Dynamics have recently created Atlas, a walking drone-cum-robot that mimics our ability to stand and walk upright, making it easier to get around obstacles. It’s no surprise that the military is more than a little interested; install a couple of machine guns on each arm and you’ve got a robotic Rambo.
While Atlas isn’t likely to be ready for widespread use for some time, today’s consumer drones are already packed with technology that was just a few years ago limited to million-dollar missiles – such as accelerometers, gyros and GPS locators – theoretically allowing anybody to fly them safely.
As aerial drones become more affordable and ubiquitous, their ability to get into places that are too dangerous or difficult for humans is making them invaluable. For example, they’re now being widely tested by fire fighters and police forces around the world to rush into places that would otherwise be less than people-friendly. They’re routinely used for inspecting the likes of transmission towers and railway tunnels, saving workers from exposure to danger.
According to Kevin On, communications director at drone-maker DJI, drones “… provide a perspective previously not easily accessible to most people. Now that perspective is contributing significantly to saving lives, enhancing jobs and transforming how industries work.”
You may have read about Amazon’s trials of drones to deliver packages (potentially rendering the postman obsolete), or an international pizza chain’s plan for Frisbee-style deliveries, but on a far more serious note, there is already in development a drone prototype equipped with a defibrillator. The intention is that the life-saving device is only ever a smartphone tap away, flying to a location via GPS to render a heart-zapping jolt. This is only a few years away. In the longer-term, when we begin to combine drone technology with other emerging fields such as nanotechnology or 3D printing, the possibilities are mind-boggling. Imagine a drone that can fly to an accident scene and use a biological 3D printer to quickly build a new artery, and then perform remote surgery, controlled by a qualified surgeon hundreds of kilometres away.
In September 2017, the government of Dubai and German company Volocopter jointly conducted the first trial flights of the Autonomous Air Taxi (AAT), an 18-rotor helicopter drone that can already carry two passengers on journeys of up to 30 minutes’ duration, at a cruising speed of 50km/h.
Meanwhile, Australian company AMSL Aero is developing the Vertiia, a two-seater autonomous drone with vertical take-off and landing capability. Among its design targets is the capability to carry emergency rescue crews into hard-to-reach areas.
Of course, with great promise comes some serious safety issues. Consumer drones are already sharing airspace with passenger jets, and in 2016 alone, Heathrow airport recorded 70 near-misses between drones and jets. Drones can also be used to drop contraband into prisons, or even carry explosives into crowded spaces (thankfully this hasn’t happened … yet).
Queensland Police with Drone Gun (Credit AAP)
The potential for mischief has, ironically, inspired an industry in drone-disabling technology, unsurprisingly derived from military research. One such device, the DroneGun MKII from Sydney company DroneShield, is typical in that it will get a drone out of the sky by using radio jamming frequencies, without destroying the drone itself.
There’s a lot of work to be done regarding the legislation around drones and how they integrate into the private and commercial aviation space; Australia’s Civil Aviation Safety Authority has been one of the world’s leaders on this path. Properly harnessed though, the potential of drones to positively impact on society means that they’ll likely become as commonplace as delivery vans or ambulances in the near future.
Subscribe to the Newsletter
Recommended for you
Richemont Hit A Record $32.5 Billion In Annual Sales
The reopening of China significantly aided the luxury group’s sales in the last quarter.
May 15, 2023
Bernard Arnault’s Net Worth Just Passed $200 Billion
Elon Musk and Jeff Bezos have also achieved this feat, but Arnault is the first non-American to do it.
April 6, 2023
You may also like.
You may also like.
First Drive: The Porsche 911 S/T Is a Feral Beast That Handles the Road Like an Olympic Bobsledder
The commemorative model borrows underpinnings from the GT3 RS and includes a 518 hp engine.
The soul of any sports car comes down to the alchemy of its tuning—how the engine, suspension, and chassis blend into a chorus of sensations. The secret sauce of the new Porsche 911 S/T, developed as a tribute to the 60th anniversary of the brand’s flagship model, is more potent than most; in fact, it makes a serious case for being the most driver-focused 911 of all time.
Sharing the S/T designation with the homologation special from the 1960s, the (mostly) innocuously styled commemorative model borrows underpinnings from the more visually extroverted GT3 RS. Yet what the S/T, starting at $290,000, lacks in fender cutouts and massive spoilers it makes up for in directness: a flat-six power plant that revs to 9,000 rpm, a motorsport-derived double-wishbone suspension, and a manual gearbox. It’s a delightfully feral combination.
Whereas the automatic-transmission GT3 RS is ruthlessly configured for maximum downforce and minimum lap times, the S/T is dialed in for the road—particularly the Southern Italian ones on which we’re testing the car, which happen to be the very same used by product manager Uwe Braun, Andreas Preuninger, head of Porsche’s GT line, and racing legend Walter Röhrl to finalize its calibration. The car reacts to throttle pressure with eerie deftness, spinning its 518 hp engine with thrilling immediacy, thanks to shorter gear ratios.
The steering response is similarly transparent, as direct as an unfiltered Marlboro, and the body follows with the agility of an Olympic bobsledder. Some of that purity of feeling is the result of addition through subtraction: Power-sapping elements including a hydraulic clutch and rear-axle steering were ditched, which also enabled the battery to be downsized for even more weight savings. The final result, with its carbon-fiber body panels, thinner glass, magnesium wheels, and reduced sound deadening, is the lightest 992-series variant on record, with roughly the same mass as the esteemed 911 R from 2016.
Driver engagement is further bolstered by the astounding crispness of the short-throw gearbox. The S/T fits hand in glove with narrow twisties and epic sweepers, or really any stretch that rewards mechanical grip and the ability to juke through hairpin corners. The cabin experience is slightly less raucous than the 911 R, but more raw than the wingless 911 GT3 Touring, with an intrusive clatter at idle due to the single-mass flywheel and featherlight clutch. Porsche cognoscenti will no doubt view the disturbance in the same way that hardcore Ducatisti revere the tambourine-like rattle of a traditional dry clutch: as an analog badge of honor.
The main bragging right, though, may just be owning one. In a nod to the year the 911 debuted, only 1,963 examples of the S/T will be built. Considering the seven-year-old 911 R started life at$295,000 and has since fetched upwards of $790,000, this new lightweight could bring proportionately heavy returns—if you can be pried from behind the wheel long enough to sell it, that is.
Images by Rossen Gargolov
You may also like.
Gentlemanly Restraint
Art and science collide in the the newly released BR03A watch collection by Bell & Ross.
In keeping with the brand’s design salute to aviation and military equipment, the pared-back face of the Bell & Ross BR03 Automatic takes its cue from the instrumentation in cockpits. It’s unabashedly minimal and confidently masculine style is set to make it a future classic.
Faithful to the codes that underpin the brand’s identity, the new utilitarian offerings sit within a smaller 41-mm case (a slight departure from the original at 42 mm Diver, Chrono or GMT.) and has a reduced lug width and slimmer hands. The changes extend to the watch movement, which has been updated with a BR-CAL.302 calibre. The watch is waterproof to 300 metres and offers a power reserve of 54 hours.
While the new collection offers an elegant sufficiency of colourways, from a stealthy black to more decorative bronze face with a tan strap, each is a faithful rendition of the stylish “rounded square, four-screw” motif that is Bell & Ross’s calling card.
For extra slickness, the all-black Phantom and Nightlum models have a stealthy, secret-agent appeal, offering up a new take on masculine restraint.
Yet even the more decorative styles, like the black face with contrasting army-green band, feel eminently versatile and easy to wear. The 60’s simplicity and legibility of the face is what makes it so distinctive and functional.
For example, the BR 03-92 Nightlum, with its black matte case and dial, and bright green indices and hands, offers a great contrast during the day and emits useful luminosity at night.
A watch that begs to be read, the the BR03-A stands up to scrutiny, and looks just as good next to a crisp, white cuff as it does at the end of a matte, black wetsuit.
That’s a claim not many watch collections can make.
You may also like.
Timeless Glamour & Music Aboard The Venice Simplon-Orient Express
Lose yourself in a luxury journey, aboard an Art Deco train from Paris
Watching the unseen corners of Europe unfold gently outside your train, window can be thirsty work, right? That’s why Belmond Hotels is once again staging a culinary train journey from Paris to Venice, aboard the glittering Art Deco carriages of the Venice Simplon-Orient Express.
To celebrate diversity and inclusion in the LBTQ+ community, another unforgettable train ride is slated for 2 November.
On the journey, ample servings of decadent cuisine will be served and live entertainment will play looooong into the night. Trans-DJ Honey Dijon and Dresden’s Purple Disco Machine are both part of the disco-house line-up.
Passengers are encouraged to dress in black-tie or cocktail attire, before they head to the bar and dining carriages to enjoy their night, where they are promised ‘unapologetic extravagance’,.
Negronis, martinis, spritzes and sours will all be on offer as the sunlight fades.
So-hot-right-now French chef Jean Imbert is also in the kitchen rattling the pans for guests.
Imber puts a garden-green-goodness twist on Gallic traditions. He regularly cooks for the who’s-who. Imbert recently co-created a food concept for Dior in Paris, worked with Pharrell Williams to present a dinner in Miami, and he’s even been invited to Cheval Blanc St-Barth to cater luxe LVMH-owned property.
The young chef is vowing to create no less than ‘culinary perfection’ in motion with his own passion for fresh seasonal produce. There’ll be plenty of Beluga caviar, seared scallops, and lobster vol-au-vents.
“I want to create beautiful moments which complement the train, which is the true star,” says Imbert of his hands-on approach to delectable pastries and twists on elegant Euro classics.
“Its unique legacy is something we take pride in respecting, while evolving a new sense of style and purpose that will captivate a new generation.”
Check the timetable for the itinerary of lush inclusions here.
You may also like.
From Electric Surfboards to Biodegradable Golf Balls: 8 Eco-Conscious Yacht Toys for Green and Clean Fun
Just add water and forget the eco-guilt.
Without toys, yachts would be kind of sedentary. There’s nothing wrong with an alfresco meal, sunsets on the flybridge and daily massages. But toys add zest to life on board, while creating a deeper connection with the water. These days, there are a growing number of options for eco-friendly gadgets and equipment that deliver a greener way to play. These eight toys range from do-it-yourself-propulsion (waterborne fitness bikes) to electric foiling boards, from kayaks made of 100 percent recycled plastics to non-toxic, biodegradable golf balls with fish food inside. Your on-water adrenaline rushes don’t always have to be about noise and gas fumes. They can be fun, silent, and eco-conscious.
A game of golf isn’t just for land. Guests can play their best handicap from the deck with Albus Golf’s eco-friendly golf balls. The ecological and biodegradable golf balls are 100 percent safe for marine flora and fauna, and manufactured with non-contaminating materials. The balls will biodegrade within 48 hours after hitting the ocean and release the fish food contained in their core. For a complete golfing experience, add a floating FunAir green. From $3100 (FunAir Yacht Golf) and $315 a box (golf balls). funair.com
Fliteboard Series 2.0
The future of surf is electric, and Fliteboard offers an emissions-free and environmentally friendly electric hydrofoil. Flying over the water has never been as efficient and low impact, using new technologies with less than 750 watts of electric power. This second series boasts various performance factors for all riding styles. It also features an increased trigger range from 20 to 40 degrees for more precision and control. Fliteboard designed this series for every possible foiling ability, from newbies to wave-carvers. From $22,000. fliteboard.com
Manta 5 Hydrofoiler XE-1
Hailing from New Zealand and using America’s Cup technology, Manta 5 offers the first hydrofoil bike. The Hydrofoiler XE-1 replicates the cycling experience on the water. Powered by fitness-level pedaling and assisted by the onboard battery, top speeds can reach up to 19 km per hour. The two hydrofoils are carbon fibre, and the frame is aircraft-grade aluminium. The onboard Garmin computer will relay all the stats. The effortless gliding sensation will accompany you through a workout, exploration or just circling the boat. From $950. manta5.com
Mo-Jet’s Jet Board
Imagine five toys in one: The Mo Jet delivers just that. From jet surfing, bodyboarding, and e-foiling to scooter diving. This versatile, German-built toy is perfect for those who cannot decide. The Mo-jet uses a cool modular system allowing you to switch between activities. Whether you want to stand, be dragged around or dive, you can have it all. It even has a life-saving module and a 2.8m rescue electric surfboard. Made from environmentally friendly and recyclable polyethene, it also ticks the eco-conscious boxes. Complete with an 11kW electric water jet, it charges in 75 mins, offering up to 30 mins of fun. Adrenaline junkies will also not be disappointed, since speed surges from 0 to 27 knots in 3 seconds. From $18,000. mo-jet.com
Silent Yachts Tender ST400
Driven by innovation and solar energy, Silent Yachts recently launched its first electric tender, the ST400. The 13-footer has clean-cut lines and is built with either an electric jet drive or a conventional electric outboard engine. The ST400 reaches speeds above 20 knots. From $110,000. silent-yachts.com
Osiris Outdoor ‘Reprisal’ Kayak
Kayaks are ideal for preserving and protecting nature, but they’re usually manufactured with materials that will last decades longer than we will and therefore not too eco-friendly. Founded by US outdoor enthusiasts, Osiris Outdoor has created a new type of personal boat. “The Reprisal” kayak is manufactured in the US entirely from recycled plastics (around 27 kgs) that are purchased from recycling facilities. The sustainable manufacturing process isn’t its only selling point; the lightweight Reprisals have spacious storage compartments, rod holders and a watertight hatch for gadgets. Complete with a matte-black finish for a stylish look. From $1100. osirisoutdoor.com
The Fanatic Ray Eco SUP Paddleboard
Declared as the most sustainable SUP, the Ray Eco is the brainchild of the Zero Emissions Project and BoardLab, supported by Fanatic. Glass and carbon fibre have been replaced with sustainable Kiri tree wood. And you can forget toxic varnishes and resins; organic linseed oil has been used to seal the board and maintain its durability. This fast, light, and stable board is truly one of a kind, not available off the rack. This craftsman’s love for detail and preservation is another first-class quality of the board. From $10,000 boardlab.de
Northern Light Composite X Clean Sailors EcoOptimist
One of the most popular, single-handed dinghies in sailing’s history, the tiny Optimist has undergone a sustainable revival. Northern Light Composites and not-for-profit Clean Sailors have teamed up to launch the first sustainable and recyclable Optimist. Using natural fibres and eco-sustainable resins, The EcoOptimist supports a new circular economy in yachting. OneSail also produces the sail with a low-carbon-footprint manufacturing process. From $6000. ecooptisailing.com
You may also like.
The 50 Best Cocktail Bars in the World, According to a New Ranking
The World’s 50 Best organisation gave the Spanish bar Sips top honours during an awards ceremony in Singapore.
