Amazon plans on implementing the Amazon Prime Air program in 2015, after approval from the FAA. They would be the first company to take such a risk, but the reward would be enormous. Little does Amazon know that another man has the same idea and might be cleared for takeoff before Amazon. The UAE is experimenting with drones to deliver documents and medicines in Dubai. These drones, if released before Amazon, would make the UAE the most business-friendly innovation hub in the Middle East. While Amazon is still battling with the FAA over air regulations, the UAE has full approval to release the drones. The drones in the UAE would be used for government services, which would make the approval a lot easier seeing how their government is in full support of the program. If UAE successfully launches the drones, Amazon may have less trouble getting approval to unveil their own drones because the United States government won't want another country to win the technological arms race. The arms race will continue for both sides, and the pressure sure is on for Amazon.
Should the UAE release their government approved drones before Amazon, they will have won the arms race and victory will go to the Middle East. However, Amazon and the UAE are not the only people developing drones. Domino's test drove the DomiCopter with the hopes of capturing the award for most innovative way to deliver a steaming hot pizza to your front door. Will the advancements in technology eventually take away jobs from blue collar workers? If Domino's and Amazon start using drones to deliver, are all of the UPS drivers and delivery boys going to become unemployed? Although these incredible advancements in technology are great, I believe they will make our economy worse off. How are young boys going to be able to afford Call of Duty to be delivered to their doorstep in less than thirty minutes if they got laid off from being a pizza delivery boy (thank Domino's for that)? Granted, it could be argued that the overall society would be more advanced and more innovative, we still need to consider the small effects that the implementation of drones would do to the economy.
This is getting crazy! Technology really seems to be taking over, and it will probably only get worse. I agree that not only will this probably take away jobs from actual people with actual families to provide for, but it also seems like this drone craze could easily be used for something not as innocuous as a pizza. There is amazing potential with this technology, but I also wonder why we as a culture are so obsessed with being the first, the best, and the most tech-savvy country in the world. Obviously this offers safety advantages, but it seems to me we are just in the race for the sake of being in the race. If this ends up hurting our already high unemployment rate and forcing real people out of their jobs, is it really worth it? It seems like we are placing a value on technology over our own fellow Americans, and that is pretty sad.
ReplyDeleteWhile I'm not entirely comfortable with the idea of mini helicopters delivering packages for me, I'm completely not okay with the government using drones. UAE is a whole different ball game, but if the White House starts shooting these things off into neighborhoods and residential areas, I'm all for an open season on drones (http://www.cnn.com/2013/12/10/us/colorado-town-drone-ordinance/). How can we trust that these things won't be used to record MORE details about our homes and families? I'm not trying to sound like a paranoid conspiracy theorist, but our government doesn't exactly have the best track record in terms of respecting individual privacy.
ReplyDeleteBut concerning your main point about putting service workers out of jobs, my emotions are mixed. No doubt will such technological advancements improve customer service and satisfy the American consumer's need for instant satisfaction, but it will come at the cost of human interaction. Check out what Applebee's is starting to do, with their rollout of tablets in the place of waiters: http://www.forbes.com/sites/alexkonrad/2013/12/03/applebees-intel-tablet-rollout/. Think of all those times your order has been wrong at a restaurant. It's a minor inconvenience in the grand scheme of things, but still it's unpleasant to deal with. This cuts that middle man out, as do the drones with truck drivers. The issue remains, however, where does this segment of the population now go to look for work? That's a tough one.
This is a great topic and I agree with your long term view of how this new technology will affect certain a micro-economy. I am also interested in the practical application of these drones. Will they interfere with migratory birds, will people shoot them down for fun, what happens if they injure someone? The list of questions goes on and one. After reading your post I think I am leaning towards letting the UAE win this "arms race" and let them work out all the kinks that this new technology will have. If they proceed first then whatever lessons they learn as to how to safely and successfully integrate this technology into their economy would be greatly beneficial.
ReplyDeleteThis needs to not happen. Customer service is becoming highly underrated in this country, and people are losing their social skills...due to this kind of craziness. When I was in high school, it was already difficult enough to find a job, and I would be horrified if drones started to enter the workforce and takes jobs from my future children. That is just wrong...and weird. I think that technology can only go so far before it becomes overkill and detrimental.
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