GPS operated "Geo-Fencing" for Quadrotors

[Steve Helmick]

Interesting article about the use of Quadrotors (or "drones") and what the DHS is planning on doing about it. Potentially, the GPS "Geo-Fencing" could also control where off-road vehicles could go, etc. Ominous or Beauteous?    Steve

http://www.wired.com/2015/02/white-house-drone/

[Bill Adair]

Steve,

Scary to think that GPS is employed for model drone guidance. How long before someone figures out how to use it for targeting instead?

Bill

[Tim Wescott]

Read the article Bill.  The answer appears to be "some time ago".

It's a genie that can't be put back in the bottle unless we want to rip up the Constitution.  I think the consequences of outlawing them would, in the not-too-long run, be much worse than the consequences of living in a world with them.

It just means that the Secret Service will have to start practicing skeet shooting.

[john e. holliday]

Read the paper and listen to the news.   GPS is in use now for guiding weapons.

[Tim Wescott]

Read the paper and listen to the news.   GPS is in use now for guiding weapons.

Part of the intent of GPS was to guide weapons.  It's designed in.

[Bill Little]

I have "restricted" No Fly Zone over MY house and a selection of 12 ga. shotguns to shoot them down! LOL!!

BIG Bear
RNMM/AMM

[Bill Adair]

Tim,

I had not read that article, because I have zero interest in Quads or drones of any kind. After reading it, my scary thoughts have been upgraded to terrifying!

Wonder who those Syrian rebels ordering all those Quads might be? No doubt they are not the good guys (if there are any of those remaining in the Islamic world).

Time to look at shotguns, because I don't own one!  

Bill

[Tim Wescott]

The article doesn't come as a surprise to me -- I've seen some pretty big quadcopters at my RC field, and while actually flying one seems about as exciting to me as mowing the lawn with a pair of scissors, I can certainly see their potential.

I think we all have some adjusting to do, but I suspect that -- much like with manned aircraft -- there's enough practical good to be had from them that it'll outweigh the bad.