When Will the Drones Start Flying?

Commercial delivery drones are in our future – or so we're told. What will it take to make them a reality? Drone technology is advancing quickly. Amazon.com is well along in its development and testing of drones for delivery of packages. And now Wal-Mart says it wants to start testing drones as well. Soon, it seems, the skies will be filled with these futuristic flying machines. First, though, there are some practicalities that need to be addressed. Chief among them is a proposed ruling by the Federal Aviation Administration that places onerous restrictions on commercial drone operators. And there are economic factors to be considered. Can online merchandisers really operate drones in a profitable fashion? On this episode, we get answers from Lisa Ellman, partner in the law firm of Hogan Lovells. A former advisor to President Obama on drone policy, she fills us in on the progress of retailers' efforts to make drones an everyday part of our online shopping experience.