Ten years ago, drones were mainly used by spy agencies and the military. Now they are finding all sorts of recreational and commercial uses.

A drone can video you as you ski down a mountain. Or it can inspect the top of a cell tower, eliminating the need for someone to make a dangerous climb. A “hover camera” can follow caregivers in the ER, helping them avoid mistakes.

The release of rules for commercial drone use by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), expected any day now, will bring us a step closer to a future in which packages are delivered to your door within minutes.

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