Flying high: a human perspective of unmanned aerial systems in future cities

Abstract The notion of advanced technology is predominantly portrayed in a positive light and discussed within a dialogue that delivers benefits to its users. The term ‘smart city’ has been used to convey this concept whereby technology can deliver an ‘intelligent effect’. However, many instances of smart city concepts tend to focus on the technology more than the inhabitants who have to co-exist within this solution. This paper discusses these factors by highlighting a smart city project example, Flying High, a project that focussed on the use of unmanned aerial systems within the environs of a city. Use cases were generated via a stakeholder engagement that epitomised the benefits of adopting this technology within the city. Civil security, medical transit and intelligent transport were found to be key uses of smart technology specific to future cities. Key to the findings of these use cases for this technology within the city are discussed in terms of their perceived feasibility, suitability and both economic and social impact. These factors are discussed in relation to the use cases, whilst also highlighting the importance of human socio-technological issues such as governance and the effect of public attitude to the uptake of advanced technology.