https://www.science.org/content/article/possible-ban-chinese-made-drones-dismays-u-s-scientists
From the article: To study whales, Iain Kerr, CEO of the conservation nonprofit Ocean Alliance, deploys the SnotBot, a modified consumer drone made by Chinese company DJI. Equipped with Velcro and petri dishes, the drone flies close to a whale’s blowhole and collects samples of the spray released during exhalation. This spray is rich in biological data such as DNA, hormones, and microbes. The SnotBot provides a noninvasive, cost-effective alternative to traditional biopsy methods for studying these endangered animals, Kerr explains.
However, rising tensions between the United States and China may jeopardize the future use of SnotBots and other research drones relied upon by U.S. scientists. A provision in the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), introduced on December 7, could require U.S. agencies to evaluate Chinese-made drones, like those from DJI, within a year. If deemed a security risk, these drones would be banned from operating on U.S. communications networks.
Scientists are concerned about losing a critical tool without a viable replacement. “It’s rare to be told to stop using something essential without an alternative,” Kerr says. “It feels completely irrational to me.”
The government doesn’t really care about scientists losing out. All they want is to make people switch to other options.
This is just plain hypocrisy. They scream about the free market until it doesn’t benefit them. Big companies love using cheap labor from China, but now it’s a problem? It’s all about money and some former politician probably lobbying for his drone company.
Maybe it’s time we stop voting for the same clowns over and over.
If this was actually about security, they’d focus on drones without geofencing tech. DJI drones are already programmed to stay out of restricted areas. This feels like a political move, not a safety one.
The government doesn’t ban things outright—they just regulate them so much that regular people can’t afford them. This will happen to drones too, just like firearms.
Is this news, or the same debate we’ve heard a thousand times already?
Wait, never mind. This post looks like one of those link spam accounts farming karma.