US proposes new drone rules that could lead to Starbucks, Amazon deliveries

The US Transportation Department is proposing new rules to speed deployment of drones beyond the visual line of sight of operators, a key change needed to advance commercial uses like package deliveries.

“We are going to unleash American drone dominance,” Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said at a press conference on Tuesday.

Under current rules, operators need to get individual waivers or exemptions to use drones without visual line of sight. The department said eliminating those requirements “will significantly expand the use-case for drone technologies in areas like manufacturing, farming, energy production, filmmaking, and the movement of products including life-saving medications”.

The proposal includes new requirements for manufacturers, operators, and drone traffic-management services to keep drones safely separated from other drones and aeroplanes.

“It’s going to change the way that people and products move throughout our airspace … so you may change the way you get your Amazon package, you may get a Starbucks cup of coffee from a drone,” Duffy said.

“Industry needs this rule to make sure they can use this technology that’s going to allow them to do business more efficiently and effectively.”