Google may have our answer to ADSB

[cliffy]

Don't know how many saw this I just found it when reading another thread here but it looks like Google may be the Knight in Shining Armour for us and ADSB. They are talking about DRAMATICALLY driving the prices down so they can do their drone deliveries in the future and they see us and our willingness to install ADSB as their big issue. They could sell at a loss and still come out ahead in the end.

This could be the game changer! Talk of less than $100

Part of one Avweb article below (Many more AVweb articles just by Googling Drones ADSB Google

it is potentially huge. Like over-the-top, seriously-disruptive-split-the-market-open huge. Why? Because Google is a tech giant with a lot of money it’s willing to invest in a future it sees dominated by robotic technologies, including swarms of drones to deliver things and provide services such as communication, surveillance and survey and things we haven’t even thought of yet.

Laser-like, Google has zeroed in on the potential barriers to stymy its plans: regulation and fear. You can bet it’s spending serious money greasing the political wheels to hurry up regulations favorable to its cause. The fear part relates to legitimate concerns by aviation interests—read the manned aircraft industry—of collisions with UAS operating at low altitude, say 500 feet and below. But unlike some in the general aviation industry, Google has figured out that deconfliction of drone-to-drone traffic and drone-to-manned will depend heavily on ADS-B and that acceptable safety levels will be achieved only if all aircraft are equipped. From Google’s point of view, that may include aircraft whose owners don’t want to equip because they would rather avoid the mandated airspace than spend four grand for a blind box with limited perceived value. Of course, that’s where most of the UAS will fly. That’s why Google’s Dave Vos was quite clear in saying the company wants to drive down ADS-B costs for manned and unmanned aircraft.

And if I’m reading Vos’ remarks right, Google is willing to wade in with its own money to dramatically drive down the cost of ADS-B so everyone can afford it and, more important, will be willing to buy it. In this market, Google could be more than the 800-pound gorilla; it could be the center of the known universe. Even if it has to invest hundreds of millions selling ADS-B at a loss, you can easily see why Google would see this as mere pocket change in service of a larger, visionary goal.

There are two nuts to crack. One is less expensive hardware, the other is simpler, cheaper installation. I don’t think, and I’ll bet Google shares this, that $2000 hardware costs are low enough. Nor is $1500 to $2000 low enough for installation costs. Can Google drive this to $500 with a streamlined installation process that doesn’t require ripping the airplane apart? A portable? My view is that a $62 billion company with a big dog in the fight is a lot likelier to make this happen than the FAA thundering about regulation or avionics companies offering more choices at the same marginally attractive prices.

Whether Google develops its own ADS-B technology—a trivial task for a company of its capabilities—or funds someone else to do it is immaterial. One company, Sagetech, already has 100-gram ADS-B units that will fit into a shirt pocket. These are designed for UAS applications. With hundreds of thousands of drones on the horizon—all ADS-B equipped—the downward pressure on hardware prices should benefit everyone. If I were in the ADS-B business myself, I’d be nervously watching this.

[ryoder]

Can't wait. They will make the software open source and get the hardware down to something like a thumb drive size like the Chrome Cast. I bet it won't be more than 75.

[ArtVandelay]

They also have history in invading privacy so ability to track people is a big plus for them

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[N201MKTurbo]

I can see it now...

 

Just before landing an ad for a restaurant or hotel will pop up on my MFD

[Tommy]

I can see it now...

 

"Direct To" replaced by "I'm feeling lucky" on my newest $120 Goomin!

[1964-M20E]

Maybe they will invade the whole avionics arena and drive all the price down.  Pipe dream but could you imagine a new panel mounted GPS NAV COM for 10% of what they cost now?  Would make replacing your GPS ever 5 years or so more doable.

[cliffy]

"Would you like to Google search an FBO before landing?"

All kidding aside, this could be a game changer for ADSB BUT they have a stake with thousands (100s of 1000s) of drone deliveries. There drone market would probably be densely populated areas so being below 500' for us would not be a problem. Wonder how they will handle the noise complaints?

[Piloto]

Not to be pessimistic about drone deliveries but what kind of goods would a drone be able to carry. Probably no more than two pounds and then have to fly back to base to pick the next. A small FEDEX van can carry over a 300 times that on a single trip. How about deliveries in NYC high rise living. How it would avoid the buildings, trees and power lines in the delivery area. Not to mention the kids with slingshots ready to shoot it down. Or deliveries during windy conditions. How about deliveries that require a signature.

ADS-B for drones? What a better way to alert the kids in the neighborhood of an incoming drone. Get your slingshots arm and ready. The perfect weapon. Silent, no shells or casings to trace you back, just pebbles.

I think I will stay with FEDEX.

José

[MyNameIsNobody]

I read a blog with similar speak about Google's "desire" to drive down ADSB prices. Talk is cheap. Clock is ticking. Get a portable Out solution done and out to market...like yesterday already.

With the recent post about adverse FAA reaction to a yoke mounted I-Pad I can hardly wait to see the push back. Where is Garmin with a less expensive portable solution for GA?

I am tired of words and thousands for a box that makes me "compliant" but gives me nothing else that I value.

Holding pattern will continue while more words and cajoling to "avoid the rush and pay up to "git 'r done"...

AOPA needs to lead and lobby for a reasonable GA solution for the masses on ADSB

Tired of words...

[N201MKTurbo]

I already saw a cartoon with an old man sitting on his porch with a shotgun on his lap and a pile of quad captors next to him.

[cliffy]

iPad yolk mounts are only a problem for 91 sub part K (fractionals) and up not or world of Part 91 from the way I read it.

Drone deliveries have a long way to go yet but there is money to be made there big time so big time money is looking at ADSB.

I like 20 GA with #6 shot the best. Easy to handle. Quick to point! Where do I find a taxidermist?