The Future of Drones Depend on Regulators

In a video interview with Frank Wang, the founder of the Chinese DJI drone makers, told Reuters that the future of drones depend on regulators. If successful it can become one of the biggest new markets.

It is not surprising that Frank Wang sees potential in this market. He started the company seven years ago with just a couple of people having fun and hoping to be able to support themselves. Last year the company made about 125 million revenue, targeting 4-5 times that much this year.

The danger for the company lies with government regulations. The Chinese market is mentioned to be much more relaxed in the regulation then for example the U.S, allowing for all the drone flight you’d like below 120 meters and in a 500 meter radius. Many countries are in the process of loosening their regulations when it comes to drone-flight and the FAA is also starting to approve some commercial applications.

DJI’s main product is the Phantom II, a ready to fly, lightweight-flying-camera drone that everybody can use. When creating the technology needed for their flying drones, they discovered that it could be used in other areas as well. They have now expanded into the handheld movie business, using the same camera steady and wireless video transmission technologies already developed.

Frank Wang compares the the current evolutionary state of flying-cameras to the time when the Apple II was launched. Before that time, computers were build in garages out of individual components. The release of the Apple II made the PC available for everybody and it is the same way with multi-rotor technology. Everyone can use the Phantom II.

He continues to tell that he believes the public concerns will subside within a couple of years. “When the general population learn about the potential of flying drones they will embrace them,” Wang told.

Thank you Reuters for providing us with this information

Image courtesy of Reuters