Survey Finds Public Safety to Be Consumers' Top Choice for Future Application of Drone Technology

SALT LAKE CITY, May 3, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Fortem Technologies, an innovator in AI-enabled airspace awareness and intelligence, today released its consumer survey findings which characterize public opinion of a future with drone technology. Fortem identified that the majority of consumers rank public safety the highest as an application for drone technology they want to see most– police and security efforts, search and rescue, etc.– when compared to entertainment and air taxi services. Yet, 96 percent of consumers surveyed also cited concerns about the use of drones. This discrepancy points to the need for more awareness of public safety rules, technologies, regulation of airspace and drone safety and security in order for public adoption of these benefits to continue to emerge.

"A drone-filled world will advance society in areas such as life-saving delivery services, protection and surveillance, search and rescue and more; but it is crucial that safety and security measures are taken from the beginning to ensure these benefits can be realized," says Fortem Technologies CEO Timothy Bean. "The drone industry is growing rapidly only because these safety and security measures now exist." 

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) projects a fourfold increase in commercial drone use by 2022. With the rapid growth of the industry and increased public desire for drone technology, safety and security will become even more important. Radar technology is prioritized by the FAA and NASA as a top airspace security solution and will play a major role in drone safety in the future.

The survey was created in conjunction with International Drone Day, taking place on May 5, 2018. Other key findings of the survey include:

• Consumers believe there should be established no-fly zones. Over 50 percent of respondents believe hospitals, government buildings, schools, city centers, and concert venues should be no-fly zones.
• Most respondents hold a neutral perspective about drones, as opposed to a negative one. 39 percent said they felt curious when they saw a drone flying near them at a safe distance, and 14 percent said they felt neutral.
• Findings indicate the age requirement to fly a drone should change. 70 percent of respondents believe the thirteen year old age requirement to register a drone is too young.

This survey was conducted using the SurveyMonkey platform, and the 716 consumer respondents were sought out via the platform and social media. The gender of respondents was 47 percent male and 51 percent female, and the age ranges are as follows: 18 percent 18-29 years old, 27 percent 30-44 years old, 21 percent 45-60 years old, 33 percent over 60 years old.

About Fortem Technologies

Fortem Technologies is an innovator in radar to make airspace safe and secure in a drone world. Fortem delivers military-tested, commercially available solutions that detect, identify and classify drones in real time to maintain airspace safety, while also actively protecting No Fly Zones. Based in Salt Lake City, UT, the company is privately held and backed by DCVC, Mubadala Investment Company, Boeing, Signia Venture Partners, Manifest Growth, and New Ground Ventures. More at www.fortemtech.com

Contact: Whitney Wells
BAM Communications
[email protected]

SOURCE Fortem Technologies, Inc.

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