Drone copters are starting to get smart enough to take on complex tasks with little input. The drone startup Matternet, for instance, will release its first product on March 30—a quadcopter capable of carrying a kilogram of cargo up to 20 kilometers (that's 2.2 pounds over 12.5 miles). The drone, which is a bit larger than the consumer variety, is capable of carrying out autonomous flights at the push of a button. Using an associated app, you simply select a nearby drone and a destination. Matternet’s software determines the best route and spots any obstacles, such as a no-fly zone around an airport. Then the drone takes off—no further input needed. Matternet CEO Andreas Raptopoulos sees potential for the drone among on-demand delivery services like Instacart and Postmates, which could use them to quickly send off items to customers. But it could also be used to fly blood, or even a transplant organ, from one hospital to another. The only thing stopping it currently are FAA rules... - Web2024