Exploring the Full Potential of Drone Technology

Drone technology is a hot topic around the country, and here in the St. Louis region, drones are becoming increasingly popular. Industry and city leaders, as well as representatives from construction and engineering firms, utility and mining companies, first responders, photographers and hobbyists gathered on September 26 in St. Louis to learn more about the subject at a forum hosted by St. Louis Downtown Airport and Bi-State Development. Despite the popularity of drones, attendees agreed that we are really only seeing the tip of the iceberg when it comes to exploring the potential uses and implications of the newer technology. With the capabilities of drones constantly evolving, many businesses and agencies seem to be moving quickly to invest in the latest technology, and some are doing so without fully understanding the challenges and opportunities unmanned aircraft systems can present. One of the three panelists, Tomislav Žigo, offered insight into both the drone challenges and the opportunities.