{"version":"1.0","type":"rich","provider_name":"Acast","provider_url":"https://acast.com","height":250,"width":700,"html":"<iframe src=\"https://embed.acast.com/$/627e954c-aa68-4f1a-85d5-5682fdc5d0d5/4320d73a-b6d5-47a7-b40d-6c8dec0cefad?\" frameBorder=\"0\" width=\"700\" height=\"250\"></iframe>","title":"The Good News About Drones: Mehdi Salehi","thumbnail_width":200,"thumbnail_height":200,"thumbnail_url":"https://open-images.acast.com/shows/6100770b31fd81f125b34d81/610077399a9767001477d967.jpg?height=200","description":"<p>Do a Google search of drones, and scary headlines pop up instantly. \"<a href=\"https://www.tmj4.com/longform/too-close-for-comfort-dangerous-drones-invade-protected-airspace-daily\" target=\"_blank\">Dangerous Drones&nbsp;</a>Invade Protected Airspace Daily,\" says one. While others talk about \"spooky, scary\" drones that&nbsp;<a href=\"http://www.businessinsider.com/china-is-testing-creepy-dove-drones-to-monitor-citizens-2018-6\" target=\"_blank\">invade privacy</a>; get in the way of&nbsp;<a href=\"http://www.thedrive.com/tech/21832/colorado-lawmakers-want-to-make-it-a-felony-to-fly-a-drone-over-a-wildfire\" target=\"_blank\">firefighters</a>, or lead to new types of&nbsp;<a href=\"https://www.newscientist.com/article/2173039-the-us-has-an-anti-drone-gun-that-shoots-drones-at-other-drones/\" target=\"_blank\">warfare.</a></p><p><br></p><p>These concerns are real, but there are also many constructive use for drones that&nbsp;<a href=\"https://www.goodnewsnetwork.org/lost-hikers-rescued-record-amount-time-thanks-drone/\" target=\"_blank\">save lives</a>,&nbsp;<a href=\"https://www.ctleng.com/7-ways-drones-make-building-inspections-faster-cheaper-safer/\" target=\"_blank\">make cities safer</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href=\"https://www.inc.com/lisa-calhoun/how-big-is-the-drone-job-boom.html\" target=\"_blank\">boost the economy.</a></p><p><br></p><p>\"Wherever there's a problem, I'm pretty sure you can find a use to overcome that problem utilizing drones,\" says our guest, <a href=\"https://www.linkedin.com/in/mehdi-salehi/\" target=\"_blank\">Mehdi Salehi</a>&nbsp;of the Parsons School of Design. His company, Drone Labs, specializes in drone design, R&amp;D, data collection and analysis.</p><p><br></p><p>Mehdi draws on his own experience as a refugee \"leaving Afghanistan, going to Europe and then coming to New York\" to build on a lifelong fascination with flight. \"I've always believed&nbsp;that you can utilize this technology for good,\" he tells us in this episode.</p><p><br></p><p>Drone technology is rapidly improving. Artificial Intelligence, or machine learning, will lead to many new breakthroughs in the near future. Among the civilian applications that we discuss:&nbsp;</p><p><br></p><p><br></p><ul><li>Using drones to help first responders in flood, fire and other natural disasters.</li><li>Inspections of high-rise buildings and wind turbines.</li><li>Tracking refugees in flimsy boats and rafts, who are in danger of drowning before rescuers can get close.</li></ul>","author_name":"DaviesContent"}