A group of engineers at San Francisco robotics company Othlerlab has come up with an idea for a new take on delivery drones. They came up with Apsara which is a biodegradable drone that can be made in an hour. currently all prototypes are made of cardboard but the finished product is said to be made of mycelium which is a mushroom based material. The Apsara is 3 feet wide and comes in laser cut sheets of cardboard. The project is being funded by DARPA (Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency). The idea for the drone is to deliver medical supplies into emergency situations. The drone is meant to be dropped from a plane 20 or 30 at a time. The drones are completely unmanned so to control there descent is a GPS system that controls the flaps and keeps it on course. DARPA has another project that they want filled that is closely related and hopefully will be the next innovation. The second project is to make biodegradable electronics making it leave almost zero trace.
1) Do we really need drones that are biodegradable ?
2) Is it better to have a box deliver to the areas or should we fly a drone in?
1. I'm actually on the fence about this subject. I do believe we need to protect the environment but there is limitations to making things out of materials that biodegrade. I don't think i am for it because i feel like we would be saving more money to have one drone that goes on multiple missions that a one and done.
2. I'm going to go with we should fly in a drone because some places aren't accessibly by land vehicles and all you need for a drone is a small open area. This will also keep innocent lives safe and get medical supplies to injured people faster.
Replies
Good summary but be sure to comment more frequently.
I think that the more biodegradable things we have, the better. Obviously some things shouldn't be made that way, but if we can, that is even better. Just another way to save our resources. I think drones were a thing of the future that are now very real. They can be very useful to society. But, with great power comes great responsibility.
I don't think that it is necessary for drones to be biodegradable. I think that it depends on the area. It could help in areas that are hard to reach by other modes of transportation.
I think this is a awesome idea! Theses drones seem like they will also be better for the environment which is good! These will also be good for situations that are serious and need supplies or things quickly.
I think that this is a really smart idea! In emergency situations we could use this to get people or troops the medical attention they need and save more lives.
I think it is a really good idea! that way we can send supplies, etc. into dangerous areas and not worry about them being shot down, because they will just degrade into the earth. I say fly a drone in, it is way faster and if someone needs supplies immediately, this is the best choice.
I think its cool that the drones are biodegradable. I mean its better for the environment so why not. And it would be quicker for the drones to just be dropped from planes in emergency situations.
I feel that we need to protect the environment but the extent we go to and the important matters that lie elsewhere make me feel that we are almost getting to the point it is ridiculous. I feel that we can keep the cardboard boxes because it would be much easier and faster to do this than make, distribute and then power all the drones needed for this project.
I think that drones that are biodegradable is a good thing because then if they crash and you don't know were it went it would be healthy for the planet! I think that it is better if it ships on the floor because then people will still have jobs if they don't ship them on the floor then there will be a lot of jobs lost in the process!
-
1
-
2
-
3
-
4
-
5
of 5 Next