February 2020
Featured in this insight: Central government & non-department public bodies, IT & telecommunications
Survey reveals public support for regulated drone industry, with 4 in 5 Brits in favour: A survey gauging public opinion around the use of drones has found that public support is high, provided that the industry is regulated.
The survey by Vodafone polled 2,000 UK adults and found that 80% of respondents are in support of a regulated drone industry, with 86% in favour when it comes to the use of drones for emergency response if the appropriate safeguards are put in place.
Seventy-nine percent (79%) said they were in favour of drones to offer the police force additional assistance, while six in ten (61%) said they would support a regulated industry for assistance with environmental conversation.
More than nine in ten (92%) said that drones with onboard cameras could assist the fire brigade in tackling blazes as they could offer a means of assessing the fire from above. A similar number said they could see drones being used to help support relief efforts in natural disaster operations.
Vodafone UK CEO Nick Jeffery, said: "Drones can provide crucial information to emergency services responding to incidents. They can assess fires, deliver medical supplies, and help businesses survey hazardous conditions such as construction sites, power lines and our own mobile masts quicker and more safely."
He also acknowledged that 'rogue drones' might pose a security risk, however, by working with the government, public sector and regulators, security measures could be introduced to facilitate the transition from 'consumer toy' to a 'vital support service'.
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