We hear a lot about “back doors” in communications firmware; entry points for elicit or state-sponsored access to data that should normally be private. This debate is also relevant to the world of both low mass “drones” and larger UAV systems.
The recent attacks on oil assets in Saudi Arabia by unknown players suggests that the need to “do something” has become more acute. Commentators are recognising that there is a “dark side” to the future here.
None of this is news to the authorities; the CAA and FAA have been enlightened but increasingly cautious about what open-source digital location software and autonomous mission capabilities acting together could lead to when used in aerial platforms in the hands of bad people.
Those in the Sky Hopper project, where we are building our electronics demonstrator and enabling its firmware, are acutely conscious of our responsibilities if we bring higher mass capabilities to market. We can do a lot of damage.
We think there is a great opportunity here for UK industry to take a lead. We have the institutions that can bring together good light touch regulation – hopefully through self-regulation – that could be exported worldwide as best practice.
You can see a longer version of this post on Linkedin here
Platform update: Our electrical and electronics demonstrator build continues. A manufacturing resource planning exercise is being performed in tandem as we build our CAD model for multiple production. The dark, windy and wet winter months of Scotland are a good time to buckle down and fabricate our sub-systems … that’s what we are doing every day …