DJI Proposes New Electronic 'License Plate' For Drones (digitaltrends.com)

linuxwrangler writes: Chinese drone maker DJI proposed that drones be required to transmit a unique identifier to assist law enforcement to identify operators where necessary. Anyone with an appropriate receiver could receive the ID number, but the database linking the ID with the registered owner would only be available to government agencies. DJI likens this to a license plate on a car and offers it as a solution to a congressional mandate that the FAA develop methods to remotely identify drone operators. "The best solution is usually the simplest," DJI wrote in a white paper on the topic, which can be downloaded at this link. "The focus of the primary method for remote identification should be on a way for anyone concerned about a drone flight in close proximity to report an identifier number to the authorities, who would then have the tools to investigate the complaint without infringing on operator privacy. [...] No other technology is subject to mandatory industry-wide tracking and recording of its use, and we strongly urge against making UAS the first such technology. The case for such an Orwellian model has not been made. A networked system provides more information than needed, to people who don't require it, and exposes confidential business information in the process."

Comments

Re:Consider the source

[Tailhook]

That's exactly what this is. With one regulation a universe of small competitors are obviated. Getting the unique id is going to take lawyers and incur costs. Manufacturing the special transmitter will be closely regulated operation and cost a small fortune.... That's what you do once your the market leader; go to Washington and have them pull up the ladder for you.

Re: FCC License Search

[thrillseeker]

Ditto for Anonymous Cowards.

Rules and fools

[TiggertheMad]

And how are you going to enforce this registration requirement? Jump up and grab an unregistered drone with collision avoidance software that is 100 ft in the air, and traveling at 30 mph? if you catch it, are you going to throw the drone in jail? You going to throw a spider-tracer on the drone, and follow it?

Good luck with that. That law should be as simple to enforce as anti-marijuana regulations. I bet you have this whole problem solved by Friday.