Live data from Hacker News

Skier almost hit by camera drone in World Cup slalom

bbc.com

11–20 of 167 posts

Re: Skier almost hit by camera drone in World Cup slalom

#11

It must be technically possible to prevent a drone from flying below a certain altitude. Probably one of the many features that will be added to drones in the coming years.

Perhaps this is possible with a software update, but it doesn't fix the standards to which the drone was mechanically constructed.

Other commercial flying objects are rigorously safety tested for their ability to remain in the air despite different mechanical failures. Without the same standards applied to drones, we are likely to continue to see near-misses or full accidents happen. (Note: I'm not weighing in for or against drone regulation)

Re: Skier almost hit by camera drone in World Cup slalom

#12

It must be technically possible to prevent a drone from flying below a certain altitude. Probably one of the many features that will be added to drones in the coming years.

Unless it's a helium balloon I think you are not considering gravity + batteries.

Re: Skier almost hit by camera drone in World Cup slalom

#17
I think the title should be updated a bit here. When I read "drone nearly hits" I imagined it flying by and getting to close on the way passed. The video shows it crashing to the ground with some force. It isn't clear whether this is under its own power (so an issue in directional control by either a pilot error or equipment fault) or due to loss of power (so it hit the ground due to gravity). Either way it could have done the skier quite some damage if it had been just that little bit closer.
Post reply on HN