HW

Drones

Christina Galindo

DeVry University

Introduction:

Drones can easily be identified as one of the most essential technological advances of our most recent time because we know what drones are capable of. Over the course of the last several decades we could definitely envision a similar mechanism would be introduced to society much like the drone, to be more significant and impactful. We may have thought flying cars, or robotics to be the highlight of technology most recently, had we engaged in the topic of discussion years ago. The research conducted throughout this assignment will allow me further explain the importance of the drone, what it is able to contribute on a global level, and the controversies and disagreements associated with this particular technological advancement.

Drones began as a simple object of entertainment, if you a will. A technological advancement that allowed us to capture photos in mid air, and quickly advanced to having them being taken, several hundred feet in the air. The most recent experiments conducted on drones, include Emergency Medical Technicians, paramedics, and even police officers. This advancement can easily be described as one of the most controversial breakthroughs in technology because while drones have the capacity to reach a person in distress that may have a life threatening condition, within a fraction of the time of emergency responders, society will have to also embrace law enforcement situations being attended to much more rapidly.

With all the situations that have multiplied over the years in regards to law enforcement and society, it may be difficult for such a mechanism to be accepted freely in the U.Ss, let alone around the globe. People may not take into account the fact that this idea of having drones become a part of emergency settings, and unlawful situations can potentially save lives and catch criminals in a timely fashion, while all being displayed on video footage.

Historic Timeline

Since the beginning of the drone era in my recent introduction to drones, I never believed UAV’s to have been created so long ago. What we currently define as the drone in our most recent technological development, was never given the attention that it has gained in the most recent years. The lack of knowledge that we currently have towards technology, revolutionized, depicts the lack of knowledge we currently have towards technology in its entirety. “The forerunners of modern drones in World War I with the U.S. Navy’s flying bomb, a propeller-driven Curtis biplane. (Alley-Young, 2016)

The first human attempt to utilize a UAV was the use of bats, it was a woeful attempt at technology. The use of bats should not even be categorized as UAV. There was also the use of balloons by the Australian army but this another failed attempt as the balloons laden with explosives was at the mercy of the wind, following the tides of the wind. Some of these balloons even exploded within Australian territories. These balloons were proven and recorded to be the earliest forms of UAV (WashingtonPost, 2013)

Apart from these two failed attempts, the 1st world war presented the opportunity to try out new technology. The first of which is Kettering Bug and Operation Aphrodite. Another failed attempt but an attempt that is better than the rest. Using Aphrodite for instance, the United States used war tiring and remote controlled B-17 Bombers in bombing bomb resistant targets on German territory. (Merger, 2006) This is how it works, the aircraft will be initially manned by a pilot which will later leave the aircraft at a far distance from target. At that point, it will be handed over to a remote control via radio link.

Another attempt at Unmanned Aerial Vehicle is the Reconnaissance UAVs which came into limelight during the Vietnam wars. (Army Technology, n.d.). They are called LUNA, a light weight missile and surveillance drone. They have actually been a success as they have engaged in over 5000 missions but are seemingly quite far from the modern day UAV in terms of sophistication, precision and accuracy. The use of UAV’s in the military experienced a turbulent start but has become more stable than before and in the future, will continue to reach a further and more sophisticated level of success.

In conclusion, the intricate and complex parts of the drone derive from similar components of the ones we have today, but have been continuously modified over the years. Unmanned Aerial Vehicles clearly began before we even knew what they truly were, and what their ultimate purpose was when they were originally established. Upon currently being the spotlight of the technological evolution we have currently been experiencing, it is clear to see that the representation of what UAV has essentially been defined as, continues to grow rapidly ahead of governmental restrictions and laws that have not yet been mandated.

Analysis Impact

Abstract:

Throughout my further investigation regarding the topic of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles I was able to delve deeper into what it signifies to society, how it is perceived and the way it has evolved over time. I was also able to unravel details regarding drones and culture, the economy, politics, and UAV’s’ impact on the environment. They have become a trend in which people use them for the simple fun of capturing photos hundreds of feet in the air, or using them scientifically for all different types of experiments, and making certain tasks more simple.

Social:

Drones were initially invented and used for military purposes which society reacted to quite well. The amount of casualties began to decrease in the line of duty, due to replacing fighter planes and their pilots, with drones that could be flown from a safe location far from the war zone. Since then, Unmanned Aerial Vehicles have advanced into becoming a significant part of everyday technology and are constantly being tested to replace some of the most vital areas of life and humanity, which can potentially benefit the world in many ways. However, people have also become somewhat skeptical and even a tad afraid on what some individuals are utilizing drones for nowadays. Some are using them to invade people’s privacy, collect information on sensitive subjects, and the advancement of drones today in accordance with militia from around the globe, is difficult to grasp. While companies have been able increase the want and demand for drones, it has become a physiological idea that it is an essential, must-have item. According to Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, and how the human mind perceives the desire for something based on several factors, the advancement of drones has become motivational to developers everywhere, in attempts to implement using UAV’s to facilitate day to day tasks and activities.

Cultural:

“Culture is a challenging variable to research, in part because of the multiple divergent definitions and measures of culture.” (Leidner & Kayworth, 2006) One of the most innovative and rapidly growing countries in technology is the United States, in part because of the diversity of our population and the various different cultures that comprise this great nation. As drones continue to be modified and developed further by some of the most intelligent individuals in the field, combined with the cultural diversity allows for a broader perspective on how to enhance these mechanisms and what can be done to handle challenges that may come along the way. Many people which also include artists and musicians have began to use drones in extreme, and more innovative ways because of the many lengths and angles they are able to capture. UAV’s can also take the place of high-tech video cameras which are used to shoot films, and even provide lighting. It enhances the art of photography, ideography, science, and several other entities which are considerably deemed as art.

Political:

The government can easily be named the “creator” of UAV’s for its use in warfare, but has ironically began to establish several rules and regulations to the personal and commercial use of drones. The government will always find a way to regulate certain technological advances, and I believe it is mainly because of the fear that the general population can probably outdo the government in their enhancements on the technology. Some of the laws and guidelines that have been implemented most recently since the influx of personal and commercial drone use include being unable to exceed a 400 ft maximum altitude, which would could potentially interfere with airplanes, helicopters, air traffic control, and could easily put others in danger. “The law says that you have to notify airports, but the law does not say how to do it.” (Merllott, 2016)Another law that has been implemented is that you are prohibited to fly your UAV within five miles of any airport. While I do understand these laws to be safety precautions, I am also aware that the government uses UAV’s to their advantage and will invade the privacy of their citizens without informing them.

Economic:

Drones have become a significant part of our economy and while supply and demand have led to this actualization, the cost of production in relation to the impact it has had on our economy has been quite impressive. The cost of production does not compare to the sale price for one drone, because I have witnessed several occasions where people finance and make monthly payments on drones just to have one. It is a hot commodity, and like a majority of hot commodities, they will always provide companies who manufacture them, work, while providing them a place in the global market. In order to continue to grow a product and keep it fresh on the market is to modify, and make the product better, while tailoring it to fit other countries and their own economic situations.

Environmental Impact:

The environmental dangers that the drone has on the planet is minimal in comparison with some of the mechanisms that are currently being used, and have been for some time now. A perfect example of this inference is emergency crew members like fire rescue, police officers, medical technicians that can potentially put civilians in harm’s way by maneuvering and weaving through traffic how they are subjected to when there is a life or death situation. Land and air vehicles (excluding the drone) were the most rapid way to reaching persons in distress, never forgetting to grasp the severity of the emission of toxins in the air each time they were used. Science has been able to prove that modern UAVs are less harmful to the environment than gas guzzlers and have played an impactful role on our established ability to maintain our forests, wildlife, and crops more efficiently and effectively, amongst other things.

Conclusion:

My intricate research on UAVs has enabled me to understand the many faces of what the people around the globe find so attractive about this piece, and why they feel the need to have it. Drones have become an epidemic in our lives and just like the cellular/smart phone came into play and evolved, I strongly adhere to them doing so as well.

Ethical Implications

Introduction:

Unmanned Aerial Vehicles are particularly controversial in society for a multitude of different reasons. Drones have been held accountable for several discrepancies in regards to politics and the population, mainly because of the lack of enforcement and the privacy of citizens. I intend to further discuss some of these ethical affairs as they have been presented to me in my research, while providing my opinion on what I actually believe to be “ethical.”

Evaluation:

“Although a widely accepted definition of privacy remains elusive, there has been rather more consensus on recognition that privacy comprises multiple dimensions, which privacy guru Roger Clarke specified as privacy of the person, privacy of the personal data, privacy of personal behavior, and privacy of personal communication.” (Finn, R. L., & Wright, D. 2012) Humanity has responded to unmanned aerial vehicles in a divided way as they are being used more frequently for entertainment, as well as inappropriately unlawful. It is apparent to me that surveillance laws on drones are not being taken seriously by society, and are not being implemented accordingly by government officials, which is what leads to the illicit use of UAV’s by both parties.

The following illustration displays the various codes of ethics that similarly relate to the topic of drones and the general population. The standard code of ethics asks questions that correlate with who we are and what our beliefs are, what is morally correct in the given circumstance, and what consequences we may or may not endure by offenses committed using drones freely. Who will be affected by the choices made, what level of satisfaction is one able to succumb in making these decisions, and is the decision being made for the greater good of the people playing a part?

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Statistics and Drones

As displayed in the graph below, UAV sales have significantly increased overtime causing concern and obstacles for Emergency vehicles that are attempting to reach individuals experiencing trauma or simply in need of services. It exhibits a drone sales increase by four times in one year and six times in just two, while sales have only continued to thrive. At this rate, and what has been recorded in numbers over such a short period of time can only allow us to believe that at one point the sale of the drone will be far too massive to control in terms of what the “law” says. On the same token, Unmanned Aerial Vehicles have become a popular mechanism that are essentially used for the pure form of entertainment that add meaning to what art, fun, and photography/videography has become.

Conclusion:

My notion of the ethics of drones positions me in my firm belief that while the majority of society is preoccupying themselves with the entertainment that UAV’s bring, the government is engrossed with utilizing them for their own purposes that are considered violation of privacy. This broadens my horizons that human civilization’s law abiding citizens are blinded by what occurs with drones and our head administration, as they invade our privacy in secrecy, while we fly them in amusement, utterly oblivious to the illegality of the situation. Ignorance is bliss.

References

Works Cited Alley-Young, G. (2016). Drone: (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle). Salem Press Encyclopedia. Army Technology. (n.d.). LUNA Aerial Reconnaissance and Surveillance UAV, Germany. Retrieved from Army Technology: http://www.army-technology.com/projects/luna/ Merger, J. (2006). THE RISE OF THE UNMANNED AERIAL VEHICLE AND ITS EFFECT ON MANNED TACTICAL AVIATION . Kansas. WashingtonPost. (2013). Washinton Post National. Retrieved from https://www.washingtonpost.com: https://www.washingtonpost.com/national/on-innovations/innovations-in-drone-technology/2012/02/02/gIQA9EmxmQ_gallery.html?utm_term=.ffc6c9593320 Leidner, D., & Kayworth, T. (2006). A Review of Culture in Information Systems Research: Toward a Theory of Information Technology Culture Conflict. MIS Quarterly, 357-399. Merllott, F. D. (2016). Keep It Legal. Model Airplane News, 38-42. Spargaf, E. (2015, August 31). Drones Getting in the Way of Emergency Responders. Finn, Rachel L., and David Wright. "Unmanned aircraft systems: Surveillance, ethics and privacy in civil applications." Computer Law & Security Review 28.2 (2012): 184-194.