Emerging Technology and Policy Co-Design Considerations for the Safe and Transparent Use of Small Unmanned Aerial Systems

TL;DR

This paper discusses the rapid growth of small unmanned aerial systems (sUAS), identifies policy gaps, and recommends collaborative steps across sectors to ensure safe, transparent, and trusted sUAS operations.

Contribution

It provides a comprehensive analysis of policy gaps in the sUAS sector and offers recommendations for co-designing technology and policies to enhance safety and transparency.

Findings

Identified key policy gaps in sUAS regulation

Recommended collaborative approaches for policy and technology development

Outlined steps for reducing policy gaps in sUAS industry

Abstract

The rapid technological growth observed in the sUAS sector over the past decade has been unprecedented and has left gaps in policies and regulations to adequately provide for a safe and trusted environment in which to operate these devices. The Center for Security in Politics at UC Berkeley, via a two-day workshop, analyzed these gaps by addressing the entire sUAS vertical. From human factors to autonomy, we recommend a series of steps that can be taken by partners in the academic, commercial, and government sectors to reduce policy gaps introduced in the wake of the growth of the sUAS industry.