Perhaps more importantly, drones must now only be operated within sight of the pilot. While the delivery drones of today can travel miles outside of the legal range, the new rules dictate that no pilot may operate a drone beyond the reasonable eyesight of someone wearing nothing more than prescription eyeglasses. In addition to the weight limit and the sight range set by The Small Unmanned Aircraft Regulations, drones may not be flown over 100 miles per hour and cannot be flown higher than 400 feet. Also, they must not be flown above any “unprotected person,” securing the privacy that drones so rudely interrupted with their invention just a few short years ago. While these regulations may seem excessive considering the prominently empty sky above your head, the implications of these rules set a precedent for future drone manufacturing. If these rules had not been put in place, the skies could be littered with commercial, hobbyist and, delivery drones before the end of the decade. Regulations may slow progress in a considerable way, but it also protects the freedoms and liberties we take for granted. Without someone steering the innovation ship in the right direction, we could end up green lighting the next Skynet. And nobody wants that except for Arnold. (H/T Mashable)
