Drones: 4DT Applications in US Industry and Public Policy

Abstract

As technologies emerge, public policy can be a means of ensuring that technology makes sense for a culture. For example, as communication technologies emerged in the 19th and 20th centuries, public policy ensured the technology operated in everyone’s interests. Public policy is also the means by which the Internet and the field of nanotechnology were able to develop. Most often public policy is used to make sure that completing interests are fairly served, as evidenced by Intellectual Property laws. Drones can be used to perform tasks that are dirty, dangerous, require dexterity, are dear (or expensive) and tedious for humans to do. Some examples are drones in the military and firefighting efforts. Despite the benefits of drones, their application is limited due to the legal constraints and a lack of regulations. Public policy regarding drones is trending towards restrictions. This trend poses an interesting question: Will regulatory restrictions will reduce the utility of drones?