In 2008, the second-generation Ipod touch was released and it amazed me.
When I first tried it out, I not only saw that one could play games, listen to music and watch movies on a touch-screen device, but what truly shocked me was its ability to send emails! I just couldn’t believe that a small handheld device allowed me to message my friends online without having any relation to a desktop computer. It felt like a whole new way to communicate.
Since then, the world has seen many more technological advances, but one of the latest continues to further both knowledge and communication with remote parts of the world.
A group of workers at Facebook have created an airplane-like drone named Aquila that plans to use solar power as a means to stay in the air for months. On June 28th 2016, the drone was first flown for a 90-minute period using battery power. A video depicting Aquila’s first test flight can be seen below:
(Video Source: “Aquila’s First Flight” by Facebook on Youtube)
The company’s goal is to deliver internet connection to all people living on the earth, no matter how wealthy or isolated they may or may not be.
However, there are still many steps to complete before this milestone is reached. Solar panels have not yet been added to the model used in the test flight, and the team of scientists working on this project also have to determine an effective way to store battery power for extended periods of time. Furthermore, the team needs to find a way to reduce the price of the drone due to both physical (i.e. building the product and materials) and worker (i.e. maintenance and supervision) fees. Lastly, the drone has to be durable enough to withstand damage it may encounter in the air.
Apart from all of this, it is also uncertain how accepting Governments around the world will be to the idea of internet access delivered via Facebook drone. Clearly there are still many obstacles to overcome before Aquila will be ready, but if we consider the basic idea behind it, there is a lot of potential.
This concept could provide many new opportunities and experiences for individuals everywhere. People will have access to material available on the internet that they could never receive before. They can learn new information, teach themselves new skills and communicate with others whom they have yet to encounter. How would young children obtaining this access for the first time feel? Probably completely overwhelmed by all the new knowledge and opportunities that could change their lives.
Just like my astonishment towards email on the Ipod touch, I will continue to be amazed by new methods that make communication more accessible; and Aquila is a great step towards this.
Kayleigh B.
