FCC Empowers Vehicles, Drones with Expanded Radar

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has given the green light to expand the use of short-range radar operations in vehicles and drones. This landmark decision passed on Thursday is set to revolutionize various sectors, from auto safety to healthcare and commercial applications.

By enabling these operations, the FCC is paving the way for technology that can identify children left unattended in hot cars, enhance driver assistance features like pedestrian detection and lane departure warnings, and even monitor the breathing of premature babies in intensive care units. The expanded radar use will also boost drone functions in construction, emergency rescues, and commercial operations.

FCC Chair Jessica Rosenworcel expressed optimism that the technology will be “used for real-time traffic management that can reduce congestion and increase safety for the vehicles, cyclists, and pedestrians who share our roads.”

The decision also ushers in higher-powered mobile radar operations, which automakers assert will help seatbelt reminders and airbag deployment controls. Echoing these sentiments, the Alliance for Automotive Innovation, an auto industry trade association, reportedly advocated for this rule change, particularly to facilitate in-cabin safety technologies.

As they pointed out, these would include “occupant detection technology that can sense the slightest movement of a child and initiate a driver notification that someone was left unattended in the vehicle.”

You can read more stories about drones that are used for good on DroneXL.