FAA, NASA still hunting for the perfect drone collision sensor.

At a drone policy symposium, FAA, NASA, and industry experts highlighted a stubborn challenge: there's still no perfect technology for drones to avoid mid-air collisions. They discussed a mix of radar, cameras, and transponder-based systems, each with serious trade-offs like weight, limited range, or reliance on other aircraft being equipped.

The goal is to enable routine drone deliveries and other 'beyond visual line of sight' operations, but the lack of a universal solution remains a major roadblock. The industry is waiting on a new FAA rule, and the path forward involves a messy mix of technologies and new standards. The takeaway: drones won't be flying autonomously everywhere until they get better at the fundamental task of not crashing into things.