Science & Tech
Government’s New Eye in the Sky: Drone Tracks Citizens After Dark
Clear Facts:
- Skydio’s X10 drone is equipped with infrared sensors, enabling autonomous flight in darkness.
- The drone is small enough to fit in a police car’s trunk, facilitating quick deployment.
- The X10’s 65X zoom camera can identify license plates from 800 feet away.
Skydio has launched a game-changer in surveillance technology: the X10 drone. This new machine is not just any regular drone; it’s specifically designed to enhance law enforcement’s ability to monitor, even in the dead of night.
One of the standout features of the X10 is its infrared sensors. These sensors are built to track individuals autonomously in the dark. Moreover, its compact design allows it to be easily stored in the trunk of a police car, ready for rapid deployment.
Adam Bry, Skydio’s CEO, during the drone’s unveiling in San Francisco, emphasized its goal to “get drones everywhere they can be useful in public safety.”
Furthermore, the drone’s advanced 65X zoom camera is another groundbreaking feature. This camera can read a license plate from an impressive 800 feet away, giving law enforcement an edge in tracking vehicles even from a significant distance.
While the capabilities of the X10 can undoubtedly prove invaluable in various scenarios, such as high-speed chases, the increased efficiency in tracking and surveillance might raise concerns among civil liberty groups.
The drone’s ability to conduct operations without any human intervention, especially in the dark, adds another layer to ongoing discussions about surveillance limits. Civil liberties advocates are already expressing concerns over potential overreach and the need for clear policies governing such advanced surveillance technologies.
In the backdrop of these advancements, questions arise: How will the public react to this heightened level of surveillance? And where will the line be drawn to ensure that technological capabilities are not misused? The balance between safety and privacy continues to be a point of contention as technology, like Skydio’s X10, pushes the boundaries of what’s possible.
We want to know what you think! Share your thoughts in the comments below.
Ruth
October 6, 2023 at 9:17 pm
Ask state legislatures to pass horrific sentences into law for crimes committed with drones.
Bob
October 7, 2023 at 1:25 am
I hear or see a drone in my back yard. It will be classified as missing in action. They have no legal right to fly over my home or film there. Faa regulations are in place already. I have a right and I will use it. Thats an invasion of privacy. So meet my second ammendment rights.
Tim Kuehl
October 7, 2023 at 3:56 pm
Big Brother is watching.
Dan Grow
October 9, 2023 at 3:40 pm
Use to track the bad guy. Don’t use it to track a good guy to see if he might be a bad guy. If youa do then you are the bad guy. Severe jail time needs to be imposed if abused …… the very first time. No “first offense” forgiveness. Punishment applies to the doer and all their bosses above them.
William Voight
October 12, 2023 at 6:41 pm
What if a disgruntled spouse uses one of these drones to track their significant other? Or a detective?
Jeremy
October 16, 2023 at 9:34 am
Too bad Democrats see George Orwell’s 1984 as an instruction manual instead of a warning.
Gary Lee
December 17, 2023 at 2:45 pm
Ooh, ooh! San Francisco is safe now! They’ve got a drone!
CharlieSeattle
February 2, 2024 at 11:58 pm
SkyNet’s little brother!