UK public gives thumbs down to drone tech, PwC

Just 31% of Brits feel positive about drones, compared to 56% of business leaders, according to new research from PwC.

35% of business leaders believe drones are not being adopted in their industry because of low public confidence. This is despite 43% of those surveyed believing their industry would benefit from the technology. Responsibility for flying a drone remains a contentious issue with 96% of the public wanting ownership to have a minimum age limit and 77% believing that limit should be 16 or above.

Elaine Whyte, UK Drones Leader at PwC, comments: “There are clear disparities in attitudes towards drones between business and the wider public. It is also strikingly clear that the potential of drone technologies is not fully understood. The drone community across industry, government and civil society needs to change the public discourse from one of uncertainties and toys, to one of opportunity and accountability.”

“This can be achieved through better education on the wealth of use cases for drones, as well as increasing understanding of regulation and accountability. The public will only trust a new technology if they understand who is regulating and providing oversight. At PwC, we completed our first stock count audit last year using drones and our research has found that they could add an additional £42 billion to the UK economy by 2030. To really achieve these positive outcomes the drone community has much to do to educate wider society.”