Drone Technology: Quiet Innovations
BBC News explores the growing issue of drone noise and startups' efforts to create quieter drones.
Ashley Schmidt, a nature lover, has noticed a significant change in her outdoor experience due to the constant drone deliveries in her Dallas suburb. She finds the annoying buzz of the drones triggering her fight or flight response.
Delivery drones, once a novelty, are now a common sight in many US cities, with Amazon Prime Air expanding to nearly 500 locations. Even smaller towns are seeing drone deliveries from places like pizza joints and ice cream parlours.
The sudden whine of drone rotors can be jarring, especially in areas where noise is already prevalent. Antonio Torija Martinez, a professor in acoustic engineering, notes that people are more sensitive to new and intrusive sounds. He predicts an increase in drone-related noise complaints as the drone sector grows.
In the US, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regulates commercial drones, but local communities and operators are responsible for addressing noise concerns.
Greenjets, a startup, is taking on the challenge of reducing drone noise. They aim to tackle both the noise level and the frequency of that noise through innovative design.