This NESI-SES research project will analyze five focus areas that we refer to as research pillars:
- Shaping Policy
- Advancing Technologies
- Engaging Stakeholders
- Enabling Solutions
- Building Skills/Competencies
Shaping Policy Key Questions Addressed
- What are the current national, state and local policies or regulations?
- How can current regulations be adapted with technology advancements?
- How can security measures be put in place throughout the converging technologies to ensure privacy and data security?
- How can standardization within a compliance plan assist in creating opportunities for innovation and market growth?
- What classification system will be needed to ensure proper regulation of drones within communities?
- What pilot training and licensing should be required?
- For drones within a community what privacy rules should be established?
- Noise guidelines?
- Shot from the sky recourse?
Advancing Technology Key Questions Addressed
- What are the primary converging technologies that will enable further growth within multiple sectors?
- What financial resources will be required to advance the technology within key areas of productivity and business efficiencies?
- How can the technology be optimized with current restrictions like that of line of sight?
- What will be the durability challenges to overcome based on use cases?
- How can drones deal with conditional awareness? (bird attacks, lightening strikes, signal jammers, etc.)
- What will be the ongoing maintenance requirements for commercial drones by sector type?
- Invisible fences around critical spaces or infrastructures?
Engaging Stakeholders Key Questions Addressed
- What new relationships need to be forged by sector?
- What alliances will be required to ensure success within a community drone program?
- What vendors or suppliers exist and will they be able to facilitate local needs?
Enabling Solutions Key Questions Addressed
- What pilot training and licensing should be required?
- What contingency plans will be necessary; i.e. extreme weather?
- Collision avoidance systems?
- What systems or processes will be necessary to maintain public awareness; who’s drone is flying overhead?
- What technologies and opportunities exist for building inspections?
- What technologies and opportunities will be needed to facilitate utility inspections?
- How can technologies and convergence of business needs be leveraged to enhance emergency response?
- What will data management requirements will be needed to facilitate, administrate and leverage the data related to assets?
- What will be the insurance implications for drone use within the commercial sector?
Building Skills/Competencies Key Questions Addressed
- What education will be required by sector?
- Pilot licensing education requirements?
- Drone maintenance education and training requirements?
- New business modeling training and education requirements?