A new type of technology may be used to target and restrain the drones from coming into areas where they are not welcome, such as airports, government properties, as well as people’s backyards.
Tech companies in the United Kingdom developed the Anti-UAV Defense System (AUDS), a device that uses its exceptional tracking abilities, radar detection, and radio waves to keep the flying robots away.
Unlike the Boeing’s new Compact Laser Weapons System, a portable laser which would melt the drones, the new Anti-UAV Defense System is able to ‘freeze’ the drones in mid-air using radio waves, without destroying them.
Drone operators use radio signals to communicate with the flying robots. The Anti-UAV Defense System works by sending radio signals towards the unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) through its antennas. The AUDS’ radio signals then interfere with the radio signals that are used in controlling and directing the unmanned aerial vehicle, or drone. When the drone picks up the signals from the AUDS it gets confused, not knowing which command to follow.
The Anti-UAV Defense System is able to detect a drone from 5 mile (8 kilometres) away. The device manages to keep the drone in its sight using video and thermal imaging software.
Drones have proven to be very useful in certain situations, such as monitoring the natural reserves. However, the misuse of the robots has caused some problems over the past few months.
For instance, October 9 two people unintentionally crashed their drone on the back lawn of the White House. Back in January, a similar incident took place at the Washington Presidential Residence.
The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), issued a set of guidelines that prohibit drones from being flown within 5 miles (8 kilometres) from airports. The rules also state that the drones must fly below 400 feet (122 metres).
Due to several complaints from pilots who encountered drones despite the FAA regulations, the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration decided to take action against drone operators who break the rules.
New technologies that can detect the exact position of drone operators shall be tested (the FAA signed an agreement for this matter).
So far, the Anti-UAV Defense System has been tested in the United States, the United Kingdom, and France.
Image Source: blighter