Google Drones Lift Industry Hopes
Internet Giant's Entry Brings Financial and Lobbying Clout to Fledging Field
Google's advanced-research lab said it is developing a system of drones to deliver goods with its Project Wing prototype. Photo: Google
When Amazon.com Inc. AMZN -0.29% CEO Jeff Bezos unveiled a plan in Decemberto deliver packages by drones, it was widely viewed as a public-relations stunt during the holiday shopping season. Less than nine months later, Google Inc.GOOGL +0.35% 's similar drone initiative is landing in a different climate.
The changed atmosphere reflects Google's financial and lobbying heft, which should help overcome technical and regulatory obstacles. But it also reflects growing confidence in technology until now more often associated with missiles than packages, and surging interest in potential uses.
Since June, the Federal Aviation Administration has fielded 31 requests to fly drones commercially, from companies involved in agriculture, pipeline inspection, aerial surveying and movie production. BP BP.LN -0.15% PLC won clearance in June to operate drones in Alaska. Walt Disney Co. DIS -0.39% has applied for three drone patents. And dozens of others are flying the devices commercially without permission.
"I'm thrilled to see big companies like Google get into the game precisely because they can help effect policy change," said Russ Tedrake, a robotics expert at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. "People have had time to get more comfortable with the idea since the Amazon announcement. Many of us think it's almost inevitable at this point."...
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Google Tests Drones; Not Welcome in the U.S.?
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