[magic_hamster]

> where to go in case of emergency

In case of emergency, drones just land where they are, or they could try to go back to the point of origin. Depending on the emergency, the drone might lose connection with the operator, in which case your own location is not very useful. I didn't run into emergencies lately but usually as far as I know the operator sets out to retrieve the drone.

> Wondering if GPS on the drone would dramatically affect battery life as well?

The vast majority of consumer drones already have GPS (on the device) today.

> have also used a drone to follow me while on a bicycle or in a car

It's more likely the drone follows you with computer vision although GPS could potentially help if the drone completely loses you. I imagine your phone location will be more helpful in pointing out the general direction than actually getting you in the center of the shot. It's not that accurate, and there are more variables at play like the vertical angle.

[mynameisvlad]

> In case of emergency, drones just land where they are, or they could try to go back to the point of origin. Depending on the emergency, the drone might lose connection with the operator, in which case your own location is not very useful. I didn't run into emergencies lately but usually as far as I know the operator sets out to retrieve the drone.

The default setting on connection loss is "return to home" with hover or land where you are as options. "Home" is a constantly updated location (sent from the controller to the drone) if you move, which, as another person mentioned, is absolutely critical in some scenarios like being on a boat where your position updates constantly.

As another person also mentioned, EU and FCC regulations will also require Remote ID, which broadcasts the drone's and operator's GPS positions. The latter is used if you did something bad and need to be spoken to.

Drone usage is somewhere where location is absolutely needed, especially for critical situations where you want your drone to not be lost forever (and so the government can slap you on the hand in person if you did something bad).

[justsomehnguy]

> or they could try to go back to the point of origin.

Great idea you if origin was on the boat.

I don't know why you all on the fence here, even I, who never used those drones, understand what first and foremost it is for the ability for the drone to return to the current/last known position of operator.

Yes, it could be used to send your location directly to CCP's secret service, but you can't have the GPS and eat^W don't have it too.

[mym1990]

I think the drone landing where it is could be pretty catastrophic given that the drone really doesn't know what is below. Pilots routinely fly over large crowds, traffic, water, etc... and a drone with no controller just landing into one of those things is pretty dangerous. The drone doesn't necessarily need to have connection with the pilot at all times, but if it has a reference for the last point of contact, it can be helpful to guide it back to a known location.

Touche on the computer vision point!