As long as nothing falls on my head or anybody else’s, they can carry on. I have long stopped worrying about privacy in the back garden, maybe because there’s very little I could be ashamed of going on there.
Valeria Ricardo, Didcot, Oxfordshire
I would say more excited than anything else. All that free stuff from Amazon that’s going to be delivered to you when the drone gets lost and drops its payload. I’m currently stripping the microwave to create a drone disabler ray to ensure I get my share of passing Amazon goodies!
D R Hughes, Chester
Hobbyists’ functional applications have already changed some industries. For instance TV and film-making using cameras on drones allows perspectives that were never possible before. Delivery using drones is a great idea and will transform online shopping. Drones for medical deliveries will be very important as well. There are still some technical problems, but they will be solved eventually.
Vitaly Voloshin, Bromham, Bedfordshire
Potentially excited. But I dread looking out of my window and, instead of seeing a murmuration of starlings, seeing a buzz of drones.
Neal Ellis, Coventry
I’m particularly excited about their use in non-destructive testing applications where not only will it improve operator safety, but it will also enhance the possibilities of new detection and repair procedures being explored.
Graham Hughes, Rhayader, Powys
I think the use of such technology is exciting and worrying in equal measure. There will be great benefits, but there are some serious issues. If you scale up this technology, then couldn’t it become a viable mode of transport? How exciting would that be?
Chris Longbottom, Bristol
I’m excited for hobbyists, but I’m pretty blasé regarding military uses. I’m not too worried about people photographing me in the garden, but I am concerned about what might happen if there’s an incident, regarding insurance and its ramifications.
Steve Napper, Harrogate
Drones have already changed the face of modern warfare, shifting the bias away from might or courage to technological superiority. If it reduces friendly casualties, then it’s welcome, but I suspect that one’s perspective depends on whose side you’re on at the time.
Andy Brown, Gloucester
Drones will be the death of the pizza delivery moped. You’ll be able to order your pizza from an app, and have it delivered by drone from Dronimo’s Pizza.
Mel Plumridge, Crick, Northamptonshire
I think there’s a high probability that the technology will be used in acts of terror for exactly the same reasons that army drones are already so effective. This phenomenon may be difficult to defend against given the availability of cheap drones. Potential terrorists just need to release a deadly substance by remote control to commit atrocities almost anywhere in a city.
Ronan Lee, The Hague, Netherlands
Drones are an excellent, safe, low-cost way of accessing dangerous places. Their use in military applications no doubt saves lives, but they must be authorised and only ever used with the appropriate approval.
Steve Murray, Kent
This technology will follow the usual path – first an enthusiastic reception, then legislation to protect the innocent, then how did we ever manage without it?!
Stefan Shillington, Kenilworth
I’m excited about drone technology. It opens up all sorts of interesting possibilities. Society will have to think about how we want to protect our privacy and ensure our safety with appropriate laws and codes of practice.
Bruce Toase, Bristol
Drone aircraft users should require a qualifying licence certificate. The low cost of drones currently allows anyone access to them, which has a high potential for irresponsible behaviour.
Ivor Mansell, Oakville, Ontario, Canada
The application of recent developments, like drones and even the Raspberry Pi, may be beyond our ability to manage as they can be engineered and controlled by individuals. This is the real danger.
Dave Lambert, Derby
Like the internet, this technology has tremendous potential benefits, but it also presents huge dangers in the wrong hands. Drones are really taking off in China, but uncontrolled drones have fouled power lines there, so licences are now mandatory. On balance, there’s more reasons to be fearful than excited!
David Thornton, Craigavon, Co Armagh
As weapons, drones take away the personal risk to the protagonist that has been inherent in conflict for all time. I fear they make attack more likely.
Jeff Bulled, Lidlington, Bedfordshire
No matter the technology in question, humans will always find ways to use it badly. I’m excited about the possibilities that pilotless aircraft open up.
John Ovenden, Barton-under-Needwood