• Question: Do you think that safety regulations could be holding back major advances in technology?

    Asked by YaBroSteveHawks to Pete, Matthew, Neil, Paula, Philippa on 9 Mar 2015.
    • Photo: Pete Symons

      Pete Symons answered on 9 Mar 2015:

      Now your thinking! Good Question LucaSeem. They probably are holding back major advances but for all the right reasons but not preventing them.

      If you were to take some of the potential major advances in the commercially viable Unmanned Air vehicle area then safety regulations may be a major factor in the progress of the UAVs. How do you stop them colliding into each other, wind farms, if they are navigated via GPS what happens if you get multiple satellite blackouts? these are just some safety considerations. Other considerations are public perception, would you want to fly on your summer holidays knowing there was no-one piloting the plane other than someone who has programmed the plane along a certain route?
      I don’t think it will long before Cargo Planes get to stage of being unmanned (as the risk is less (i.e. no passengers) but you still have to account for the fact that if the plane crash lands as a result of a software glitch (or any of the above reasons) then you could end up with a disaster!

      Like I said, safety regulations may be delaying major advances in technology, but then I don’t think major advances in technology should be as a result of unacceptable sacrifice of human life and the environment.

      Sorry for the long winded answer but a good question deserves a considered answer!

    • Photo: Philippa Jefferis

      Philippa Jefferis answered on 9 Mar 2015:

      Fantastic question – and one I have just been discussing with a colleague! We were looking at ways to make the industry more innovative and were discussing how regulations and standards may limit this. However, safety is fundamental and should never be ignored in the pursuit of advances. Instead we should look at ways to make major advances in technology to ensure the safety of people.

    • Photo: Neil Taylor

      Neil Taylor answered on 9 Mar 2015:

      Hi!

      This is a interesting question! I think I’m pretty much in agreement with Pete and Philippa.

      It is essential that human life and the environment are preserved. I suppose that safety regulations could be “holding back” advances, but the advances wouldn’t be a good thing if they came at the risk of human life or the environment – which are what safety regulations aim to protect. I think to challenge any safety regulations, you would have to be very knowledgeable in the topic at hand.

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