private drones

[Richy_T]

I remember when they were called remote-controlled-airplanes.

<--- getting old.

[Rassah]

I remember when they were called remote-controlled-airplanes.

<--- getting old.

I think the reason the name changed was because the drone drones can take off, fly to waypoints, and land completely automatically without anyone radio controlling them.

[Richy_T]

True. But I think that's mostly not what people are talking about when they're talking about "drones" in the hands of the public or the police.

[myrkul]

True. But I think that's mostly not what people are talking about when they're talking about "drones" in the hands of the public or the police.

Then the difference lies in the camera and two-way communication capabilities.

[Richy_T]

True. But I think that's mostly not what people are talking about when they're talking about "drones" in the hands of the public or the police.

Then the difference lies in the camera and two-way communication capabilities.

I think the difference is more in the "cool factor". I knew a guy who was doing this stuff 3-4 years ago and the word "drone" never came out of his mouth.

[myrkul]

True. But I think that's mostly not what people are talking about when they're talking about "drones" in the hands of the public or the police.

Then the difference lies in the camera and two-way communication capabilities.

I think the difference is more in the "cool factor". I knew a guy who was doing this stuff 3-4 years ago and the word "drone" never came out of his mouth.

Yes, but what came out of his mouth was probably considerably longer and harder to say than "drone."

[Rassah]

I remember when "pivot" used to be not a thing... 

[Richy_T]

True. But I think that's mostly not what people are talking about when they're talking about "drones" in the hands of the public or the police.

Then the difference lies in the camera and two-way communication capabilities.

I think the difference is more in the "cool factor". I knew a guy who was doing this stuff 3-4 years ago and the word "drone" never came out of his mouth.

Yes, but what came out of his mouth was probably considerably longer and harder to say than "drone."

Yes. But I think the gain in accuracy greatly compensated for the extra 500ms

I think Rassah is correct. If it has a pilot, whether he be onboard or on the ground, it's not a drone. Though I may be missing the definition. I should look it up.

[Richy_T]

http://blogs.scientificamerican.com/guest-blog/2012/04/12/what-is-a-drone-anyway/

[DeathAndTaxes]

I think Rassah is correct. If it has a pilot, whether he be onboard or on the ground, it's not a drone. Though I may be missing the definition. I should look it up.

Then there are no drones anywhere in active service and ever use of the definition from the media to the Pentagon is incorrect.

For example this drone ...



Has a 2 man operating team on the ground (actually 6 man so they can take shifts for continual operation)

[Richy_T]

ever use of the definition from the media to the Pentagon is incorrect.

And your point is?

[myrkul]

Per Wikipedia, a drone is any unmanned (that includes programmable and remotely operated) vehicle.

So the Predator is a drone, and technically so is a toy airplane or a quadcopter.

As are underwater ROVs and the Google Car.

[Richy_T]

Per Wikipedia, a drone is any unmanned (that includes programmable and remotely operated) vehicle.

So the Predator is a drone, and technically so is a toy airplane or a quadcopter.

As are underwater ROVs and the Google Car.

I like wikipedia but I wouldn't necessarily trust it for definitions.

Dictionary.com says:

drone
1 [drohn] Show IPA
noun
1. the male of the honeybee and other bees, stingless and making no honey. See illus. under bee.
2. a. an unmanned aircraft or ship that can navigate autonomously, without human control or beyond line of sight: the GPS of a U.S. spy drone.
    b. (loosely) any unmanned aircraft or ship that is guided remotely: a radio-controlled drone.
3. a person who lives on the labor of others; parasitic loafer.
4. a drudge.

[myrkul]

I like wikipedia but I wouldn't necessarily trust it for definitions.

Looks like definition 2 matches pretty well. (the wiki disambiguation page for "drone" also includes references to the bee)

[Rassah]

5. An over-excited bitcoiner who was asked "What is a bitcoin?" for the following 15 to 60 minutes.

[Richy_T]

I like wikipedia but I wouldn't necessarily trust it for definitions.

Looks like definition 2 matches pretty well. (the wiki disambiguation page for "drone" also includes references to the bee)

I concur. Though "loosely" indicates, to me, that it's not strictly being used correctly. But language drifts and it's pointless to rail against it.

[myrkul]

I like wikipedia but I wouldn't necessarily trust it for definitions.

Looks like definition 2 matches pretty well. (the wiki disambiguation page for "drone" also includes references to the bee)

I concur. Though "loosely" indicates, to me, that it's not strictly being used correctly. But language drifts and it's pointless to rail against it.

Sounds about right. 

[Anon136]

Per Wikipedia, a drone is any unmanned (that includes programmable and remotely operated) vehicle.

So the Predator is a drone, and technically so is a toy airplane or a quadcopter.

As are underwater ROVs and the Google Car.

wait a second. If the google car is really unmanned what do they do when it runs out of gas?

[myrkul]

Per Wikipedia, a drone is any unmanned (that includes programmable and remotely operated) vehicle.

So the Predator is a drone, and technically so is a toy airplane or a quadcopter.

As are underwater ROVs and the Google Car.

wait a second. If the google car is really unmanned what do they do when it runs out of gas?

Well, you do have a point. Do passengers count as "manned?"

[Richy_T]

I'd imagine automated gas stations will certainly be in place.