[gorrillamcd]

Actually, there's some practical application for that. In an emergency situation where communication is down, a network of drones could be setup to provide a network for first-responders and aid-workers to coordinate their efforts. It could even tie-in to base stations that would have the long-range power to connect different meshes. (note: I know nothing about these drones, but looking at what's been done already, it's seems feasible).

[sliverstorm]

Or you could just use skilled radio operators.

Though I suppose those have been getting scarcer than sophisticated drones anymore :(

[TeMPOraL]

Can you run IP over Skilled Radio Operators?

That kind of drone network could be useful for transmitting video, or other important data that isn't that good to send by voice. Not to mention remotely controling the other drones, that would do things like searching for people in the rubble.

[sliverstorm]

Not sure if TCP/IP has been done, but packet radio [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Packet_radio] is a thing.

That said, you don't need digital transmission for a video signal [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Slow-scan_television] or for remotely controlling things. A more sophisticated network like that provided by TCP/IP is always a nice thing to have, but you pay the price in terms of lost range when you start trying to use WiFi for everything. My little handheld radio can reach up to 5 miles; my WiFi station might go 500 feet. Which link would you rather have in a disaster?

It's true, robots can enhance the capabilities of rescue operations, but the comment I replied to was specifically talking about using drones to establish lines of communication. My point is that we already have that, and it doesn't require a hundred drones in the air.

You might also be interested in APRS [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Automatic_Packet_Reporting_Syst...]

[gorrillamcd]

Well, it's a pretty far-fetched idea anyways, but, a few things to consider:

- I never said you have to use wifi. You're right that radio would have a much greater range. - The main advantage I can think of for a system like this would be speed of deployment. In an area with poor line of sight, they could be used to bridge the gap until a proper base-station can be positioned. - They're more versatile. For example, they could be used as a mobile PA system. - Of course, it's all hypothetical. Nevertheless, it'd be fun to implement and more useful than the Pirate Bay's idea of a flying datacenter.

[sliverstorm]

Even better, how about using teams of drones to deploy basestations? :)