Drone technology: Start-ups look for ways to make quieter drones
Nature lover Ashley Schmidt no longer spends much time in her garden, in the Dallas suburb of North Garland.
TL;DR
- Residents like Ashley Schmidt are complaining about the disruptive noise from delivery drones.
- Companies are increasingly using drones for fast home deliveries, leading to more noise pollution.
- New technologies from startups like Greenjets aim to reduce drone noise by up to two-thirds by enclosing blades and using slower rotor speeds.
- Sharrow Engineering has developed a unique tipless propeller design that drastically reduces noise, initially for boats and now for drones.
- Amazon and Wing, major drone delivery providers, are also making efforts to quieten their drones and vary flight paths.
- Quieter drones have applications beyond deliveries, including conservation efforts and military operations.
- The FAA regulates commercial drones but places responsibility for addressing noise concerns on operators and local leaders.