It’s Tacocopter, the latest high-tech business scheme. It’s not practical… yet. It’s not even legal… yet. And according to plenty of sources, it’s not even real.
But it’s pretty damn funny, and pretty damn genius. I think these folks sat down and asked “What is the most dangerous possible technology deliver the least valuable commercial product the the laziest possible customers?”
I think the same business model could be used to deliver emergency packs of cigarettes. Or crystal meth.
I’m holding out for pizza delivery myself. I won’t have to tip the drone.
Hell, drone tipping may be the drunken fraternity prank of the future!
Seriously, I liked this comment by one of the founders:
[QUOTE=Star Simpson, Tacocopter co-founder]
Honestly I think it’s not totally unreasonable to regulate something as potentially dangerous as having flying robots slinging tacos over people’s heads … [O]n the other hand, it’s a little bit ironic that that’s the case in a country where you can be killed by drone with no judicial review.
[/QUOTE]
Maybe they can use taco delivery as a stealthy way to enter for assassination.
(knock , knock)
“Who is it?”
“Taco delivery”
“Tacos? I didn’t order any stinking tacos.” (opens door) “Oh, no! An unmanned attack drone!”
(boom)
The developers of that system perhaps need to do a little research into the FAA requirements for getting its control system certified for use in US airspace.
The phrase “… in a country where you can be killed by drone with no judicial review” is factually inaccurate, also. But, hey, don’t let facts get in the way of such fine news reporting. :rolleyes:
<knock knock>
Who’s there?
Land taco.
I didn’t order a land taco. Go away.
<knock knock>
Who’s there?
Plumber.
Plumber, my foot! I don’t need a plumber. You’re that land taco! Go away!
No ma’am, I’m only a chimichanga.
Well, OK…
SNL presents “Land Helicopter”
Did you not get from the OP that the whole thing is a joke?
Hey, you’re that clever land shark aren’t you.
I love how Wired is very skeptical about that story, but not this one
No, there’s no way this ever becomes a company. I assume the guys behind it want to get attention so they have some name recognition when they try to get their real project off the ground. But yes, it’s hilarious. There’s a kind of stupid genius to it.
“We’re sorry, but due to a software bug your taco was delivered to a dog by mistake.”
Tacos are cool and all, but I’d rather see that technology be used for something a little more practical. Emergency medical care comes to mind.
I use mine for aerial photography. But the idea of using it to fetch me some snack is very appealing!
It is? Damn.
I thought this was America, where dreams of flying tacos were brought to reality!
It’s genius and can’t lose, provided there’s a market for four-thousand-dollar tacos.
I love the advert at the bottom right of their webpage.
LobsterCopter - Taco Of The East!
Because mating the power of flight with the malevolence and generally terror-inspiring attributes of lobsters must have seemed a good idea at the time.
From the OP link:
If the above is true and not just part of the Tacocopter story - Would this include remotely operated aerial vehicles for say survey or observation purposes? Would this also extend to using weather ballons?
The thing about the FAA rules is true. I out about it separately related to another issue.
And yes, it would preclude private, commercial use of UAVs for survey, observation or weather reporting. Some companies have already been stopped from doing it. But not government use – so presumably the US Weather Service or USGS could go ahead and do it if they wanted.
FYI, kanicbird, the FAA’s rules will be changing soon.