[pcottle]

The google car is an exception where there is a lot of sophisticated software. UAV's like Boeing's and even the ones you buy online (with the open source software) are running on boards, not full-scale PC's with the ability to play a DVD.

UAVs are very complicated in terms of technology and engineering, but the hardware is simple because it's basically just running control loops on some board.

[javert]

You're wrong to associate "UAV" with small "remote-controlled" airplanes. There are much more sophisticated things out there, and also in the works.