DJI Olympics No-Fly Zones Will Make Sneaking An Aerial Shot Difficult

DJI is making it difficult for drone owners to fly their UAVs during the 2018 Winter Olympics Games. Such drone use is forbidden during the Games, but that's not likely to stop everyone from trying to sneak a couple aerial shots or videos. Though Olympics security officials have their own plans in place to deal with unwanted consumer drones, DJI is planning to release a software update that will put the brakes on usage near the facilities.

Drones are a security issue for multiple reasons: in a worst case scenario, they could potentially be used to deliberately cause harm. That's not as likely as someone — or multiple someones — recklessly operating the drones and causing incidents or even crashing into an unsuspecting bystander.

More than one person trying to fly their drone near the Olympics events could result in a collision that sends both crashing to the ground. As well, an unwelcome (and unexpected) drone's presence could interfere with UAVs being operated by officials and broadcast companies, as well as equipment and staging areas.

South Korean security teams already have plans in place to deal with these unwanted drones. DJI, though, is attempting to stop its drones from being used improperly by disabling their ability to fly in certain places. The company has revealed that it will update its drones with no-fly zones over places where Olympic events are happening.

These no-fly zones will be temporary, lifting once the Games have finished, and they'll be found in four different South Korean cities where events are being held. Assuming someone manages to avoid the software update, though, or uses a different maker's drone, security officials will be ready to confiscate the UAVs by launching snare nets at them.

SOURCE: TechCrunch