A number of technology companies are joining the Federal Aviation Administration’s Unmanned Aircraft Systems Registration Task Force. The task force was designed in response to the FAA’s efforts to require recreational drone operators to register their drones. The task force will consist of 25 to 30 diverse representatives from the drone industry, federal government and other stakeholders, and is designed to help the FAA decide which drones should and shouldn’t be exempt from the registration requirement.
The latest companies to join the task force include Amazon Prime Air, Google X, GoPro, PrecisionHawk and Walmart. In addition, the FAA announced Earl Lawrence, director of the FAA’s UAS Integration Office, and Dave Vos of Google X will co-chair the task force.
“Registering unmanned aircraft will help build a culture of accountability and responsibility, especially with new users who have no experience operating in the U.S. aviation system,” said Anthony Foxx, secretary for the U.S. Department of Transportation. “It will help protect public safety in the air and on the ground.”
The task force is expected to have its official recommendations by Nov. 20.
The group’s membership is by invitation only. The full list of members is available here.
