I just read this Wired Magazine post and saw this new video release by GoPro (below). It is a sneak preview of footage shot by the new GoPro drone which is slated for release in 2016. The Wired writer says “What’s amazing is the perfect, almost dolly-like stability of the shots of an idyllic farm and a journey through the forest.” See for yourself:

I agree the footage is smooth but take a close look at the video. Watch the leaves in the trees. Watch the dust stirred up by the ATV rider. None of the shots were captured during any wind. Any at all. Like not even a breeze caused by a flea sneezing.

Just about any currently available drone with basic GPS or altitude stabilization could capture video as smooth in the same conditions, and they already are. Before I wet my pants with excitement over the new GoPro drone (need a waterproof case if so), I’ll have to see it in action in varying conditions. I’ll also be curious to see flight times, features, FPV (first person view), the size of the unit, and all sorts of other features in which GoPro has a chance to show its innovation.

I’ll also expect to see a GoPro-like price point.

Then I’ll be excited.

Hats off to California Governor Jerry Brown for vetoing a bill that was not necessary. The act of bing a peeping Tom is illegal already. There’s no need to include drones in the conversation, unless you add cameras, telescopes, remote control cars, smart phones.  Using a drone for such an activity is just plain dumb.

This is yet another situation where people’s paranoia and lack of education on an emerging technology makes much more of an issue than it really is. If someone wanted to spy or be a peeping Tom, a flying noisy weed-whacker with flashing lights and a GoPro which produces super-wide landscape images would not be the optimal choice for the job.  This article describes many far better ways one can spy without using a drone.

The problem is the public thinks drones are “all seeing.” If a drone is flying above 350 feet above someone’s roof they think the thing somehow has the technology to see through walls to the inside of their bedroom. If that technology existed wouldn’t peeping Toms already be using it on some other device?

There’s a naked lady in her bedroom in this photo below.  Can you see her?

This has been eating at me for two years now, so it is time for me to issue an official public apology for using one of my drones to invade someone’s privacy.  A couple years back I was in Las Vegas and excited to test out my new “quadcopter” drone, which was equipped with a GoPro camera on it.  I was at a golf course and launched my drone from the parking lot.  I flew up to about 100 feet and captured this picture below.  I had no idea what was in the picture when it was shot.  The GoPro was shooting photos automatically, every 10 seconds.  In the picture you can see the red arrow which points to a golfer in the fairway on one of the holes.

Invasion of Privacy via Drone

The media is full of invasion of privacy articles involving drones lately. People are shooting at drones with shotguns.  They’re calling police.  There are altercations.  It’s crazy.  There’s quite a stir going on. All of this attention has been really getting to me and I’ve been losing sleep knowing this this poor golfer in the photo had no idea I shot his (or her) picture. I can’t tell if the golfer is male or female since it’s just basically a tiny distorted dot in the photo.  Actually, I’m not 100% sure that is a golfer, but I think it is.  It might be a 150 yard marker.

To the golfer in the photo above (if you’re really a golfer and not a 150 marker), I sincerely apologize for taking your photo without your permission.  I deeply hope this photo has not caused you any emotional damage, and that it has not had any adverse effect on you or your family.   I understand if you feel legal action is necessary, but I hope that you consider this apology before doing so.  I have not sold or licensed this photo and have not made any financial gain from it.

Once again, you have my sincere apology.

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