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Does military use of small ROV's endanger our ability to use them as hobbyists? — Parallax Forums

Does military use of small ROV's endanger our ability to use them as hobbyists?

ctwardellctwardell Posts: 1,716
edited 2011-04-30 15:15 in General Discussion
Here is a link I saw today regarding using ROV's to mark targets:

http://www.foxnews.com/scitech/2011/04/29/air-force-drones-squirt-trackable-goo/?test=faces

Will the militarization of small ROV's lead to them being considered as possible weapons and cause increased regulation?

C.W.

Comments

  • bill190bill190 Posts: 769
    edited 2011-04-29 14:04
    Don't worry...

    There is what I call the "Space Shuttle Syndrome", in that no one ever does anything to prepare for disasters until after a disaster strikes. (Like computer backups are not done until after data has been lost.)

    And then the "one rotten apple" thing. One rotten apple will come along and spoil the fun for everyone, but no laws / rules would be put in place prior to that happening.

    Laws are created when something happens and they are then needed. And that makes it quite interesting to read silly old laws and wonder what someone did to cause them to create that law.

    Click on a state at the following...
    http://www.loonylaws.com
  • JimInCAJimInCA Posts: 80
    edited 2011-04-29 14:06
    Short answer is yes. I've been involved in RC aircraft for many years and our concern now is that the FAA is getting ready to regulate RC hobby aircraft. The AMA (Academy of Model Aeronautics) recently led a letter write-in campaign to inform the members of congress that we're watching what happens very carefully. Some 80,000 letters were received within the first month and several members of congress have stated their support for not regulating RC hobby aircraft. So you have to stay vigilant or our government will regulate everything.
  • HollyMinkowskiHollyMinkowski Posts: 1,398
    edited 2011-04-29 14:23
    They are worried about the ability to use ROVs as weapons.
    I have heard it brought up many times.
    Also there is a danger of precision targeting with cheap ballistic
    weapons. It's not all that difficult to guide a ballistic object by
    controlling fins to hit a GPS location or by use of onboard video
    and someone remotely piloting it to a target. I'm certain that
    many people on this forum could handle the technology. It's
    easy to see why people are worried about this stuff.

    It will be a real shame if some idiot misuses tech for something
    like this and hobbyists get restricted as a result :-(
  • Peter KG6LSEPeter KG6LSE Posts: 1,383
    edited 2011-04-29 15:56
    regulation or not . Its not going to stop someone with $$ and time .

    Lets face it . you put a .60 on a brick and It can fly . the other gear is easy to get .

    This is where regulation is Useless and its not doing anything ...

    Evin 20 Years ago adding stuff to a RC plane was not that hard . No GPS but still with the right "stuff" just as deadly ......

    After I moved From VA I dumped RC AC as Cali and Nitro and fire don't mix If you get My drift and in 01' Electric was NOT a option ....

    Peter
  • Clock LoopClock Loop Posts: 2,069
    edited 2011-04-29 23:54
  • UnknownUnknown
    edited 2011-04-30 00:41
    Yes and no.

    The Iraq war already demonstrated the dual use of ordinary products in the search for what was illegal. The problem is you can't regulate every day items like kitchen knives. Having said that, anyone who wants to go to jail can.

    I think the problem is not so much the intensity of what one believes but it is belief. If people want to hurt us then it doesn't matter. You can ban a little or a lot of things but you haven't banned their belief to want to hurt us. In other words, they don't have to be a radical. They just have to have belief.
  • mickalmickal Posts: 75
    edited 2011-04-30 07:37
    Sometimes I think we all get a bit too conditioned , almost brainwashed. The governments are there for the people..you and I, they behave often that we are there for them. Did you know that traffic lights are really only there to condition us to obey instructions .
  • ElectricAyeElectricAye Posts: 4,561
    edited 2011-04-30 07:55
    In the US, all you must do is this: convince the National Rifle Association that your ROV is an "arm", and then you'll be able to do whatever you want.

    Put it in your purse. Wear it on your hip.
  • Heater.Heater. Posts: 21,230
    edited 2011-04-30 08:18
    Here is a topical link. What happens when you push your hobby a bit to far: http://www.interestingprojects.com/cruisemissile/
  • ctwardellctwardell Posts: 1,716
    edited 2011-04-30 12:33
    Thanks for all the replies. I guess that means we just play with our toys until uncle sams says they aren't toys anymore...

    C.W.
  • UnknownUnknown
    edited 2011-04-30 14:55
    ctwardell wrote: »
    Thanks for all the replies. I guess that means we just play with our toys until uncle sams says they aren't toys anymore...

    C.W.

    I think they will come around and do FBI background checks and when you don't pass or stop submitting to them you will have to turn your toys in. You'll probably have to store them at a secure facility in the future and employ anti-hacking measure to keep your ROVs from being stolen. :lol:
  • ElectricAyeElectricAye Posts: 4,561
    edited 2011-04-30 15:15
    ctwardell wrote: »
    ... I guess that means we just play with our toys until uncle sams says they aren't toys anymore...

    ....

    ... at which point you start selling to them what you made. Which is what usually happens. I know an astonishing number of people who, on one hand, complain about government spending, government hand-outs, and how the government is taking away all sorts of freedoms from them, and yet, on the other hand, they make tons of money thanks to government contracts, government grants, and (one might suppose) all the freedoms they no longer have. It's a phenomena I have never been able to understand.
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