![\"businessbeginstoadoptdrones\"](\"https:\/\/sitesdev.net\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/03\/businessbeginstoadoptdrones-300x225.jpg\")
The drones are coming. The FAA has now taken the first step toward making commercial use of drones a viable option. While they have yet to create a set of rules governing their use, they have issued guidelines, and they\u2019ve begun to allow some companies regulatory exemptions so that they can begin experimenting with putting the aircraft into service.<\/p>\n
So far, the recommended guidelines are fairly sparse, but they do include details such as a recommendation to fly at an altitude of no more than 400 feet, so as not to interfere with commercial air traffic, and a maximum cargo carriage of 55 pounds.<\/p>\n
The Business Case for Drones<\/strong><\/p>\n Drones cannot and will not replace all forms of shipping, but it\u2019s clear that they could be disruptive to certain segments of that market. Domino\u2019s Pizza, for example, has already begun experimenting with pizza delivery via drone, and Amazon\u2019s Jeff Bezos has been talking about using a drone-based delivery system for many of the products Amazon sells.<\/p>\n There are other business cases to be made for drones. For example, they could be used to replace some security staff at sensitive locations. Obviously some physical security would still be needed, but drones make the ideal monitoring platform. Small, unobtrusive, quiet, and in operation twenty-four hours a day. Even if the use of drones in this case didn\u2019t reduce headcount, it would certainly enhance a security team\u2019s effectiveness.<\/p>\n Drones could also be used for things like building inspections, and even customer service, in cases where a replacement component needed to be delivered to a client or worker in the field.<\/p>\n It\u2019s an important first step, but it is just that \u2013 a first step. The FAA will need to issue clear and comprehensive rules so that businesses know what is and is not allowed before you can expect to see mass, rapid adoption of the technology. Even so, estimates are that by 2018 there will be some 7500 commercial drones in the skies.<\/p>\n