WASHINGTON, DC - The Subcommittee on Commerce, Manufacturing, and Trade, chaired by Rep. Michael C. Burgess, M.D. (R-TX), today continued its work to better understand the ways new technologies are disrupting the status quo and impacting jobs and the economy. Adding to the subcommittee’s review of the Internet of Things and the Sharing Economy, members today examined the use of drones, discussed important safety and privacy measures, and looked into ways that drones are benefiting consumers and businesses throughout the country.
Topline Quote
“Drones promise to make life easier, safer, and less costly for workers in a wide array of
Industries," said Burgess. “As regulators prepare to integrate drones into the airspace, it is clear that safety is the number one priority. But cutting-edge drone testing and evaluation is occurring overseas because the current process to approve commercial drone use is both restrictive and cumbersome in the U.S. I join many in the drone development space in calling for quick but flexible regulatory solutions that allow for future innovation. The speed of innovation can’t remain at the speed of regulation for long."
Did you know?
* That according to one study by the Association for Unmanned Vehicles Systems International drones could produce about $82 billion in growth the first ten years after they are integrated into our National Airspace System.
* The study also predicts 100,000 jobs could be created over those ten years. For example, drone makers, software engineers, suppliers, researchers, etc.
Learn more from Chairman Burgess’ statement here.
Must Watch:
A Few Shots from Today’s Hearing
#SubCMT Chairman Michael C. Burgess takes a look at a drone before the hearing.
#SubCMT Chairman Burgess and members welcome witnesses and deliver opening statements
Witnesses (Left to Right) Joshua Walden, Senior Vice President and General Manager of Intel Corporation; John Villasenor, Professor of Public Policy at the University of California, Los Angeles; Margot Kaminski, Assistant Professor at the Ohio State University; and Brian Wayne, President and CEO at the Association for Unmanned Vehicle Systems International (AUVSI)
The drone and the Energy and Commerce Eagle.
A Parting Word from Chairman Upton:
“Our Disrupter Series is exploring innovative new technologies that are improving lives and growing our economy. As part of our review, we have heard the many benefits of these technologies, including job creation and better consumer services, and have also heard about some of the natural fears that come with these changes. Drones are no exception. Industry has an obligation to responsibly bring these technologies to market. I encourage those in the drone industry to make safety, cybersecurity and privacy a priority," said Chairman Fred Upton (R-MI). See Also
* DISRUPTER SERIES: #SubCMT to Examine 3D Printing
