While non-military drones seem to kick up controversy in many places, local governments in Spain seem generally enthusiastic about finding new uses for the miniature flying machines. Except Madrid.
Madrid had planned to buy six high-tech drones for about $225,000, but the new mayor and City Council cancelled them because they were “not worth the money” and the contract didn’t say what they were to be used for.
But reading through Spanish news turns up new drone stories all the time. Here are a few that are in the works:
- At five beaches, including Marbella, drones are being tested to work with lifeguards. When a swimmer is in difficulty, both a lifeguard and a drone head out; the drone drops a life-preserver next to the swimmer while the lifeguard swims out to guide him back. The drones can also be used to spot swimmers in trouble, with operators monitoring camera feed. More HERE
- Barcelona is testing drones to inspect its 1500 kilometers of sewer tunnels. Authorities are betting the camera and sensor-equipped devices can do the job of spotting leaks and other problems faster than humans, and without subjecting the humans to noxious conditions. It’s not clear yet what effect it may have on employment; humans will still do the cleaning. More HERE
- And, the national highways agency has teamed up with drone manufacturer to develop drones that could start monitoring traffic in tests next year. They would be used to spot toad and traffic problems and accidents, and to monitor areas that often flood. It was also pointed out that they could be equipped to read license plates and send data to issue traffic tickets. OK, you knew that one was coming sooner or later, didn’t you? More HERE
