Drones continue to capture the popular imagination. UK retailers enjoyed a 24 per cent rise in drone sales this past Christmas, whilst the latest products – including the world’s first passenger drone from Chinese manufacturer Ehang – dominated headlines at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas in January. The drone, then, spans the gap between toy and tool of the future.

However, the immediate future of drones is still unclear. As discussed in a recent research report by GP Bullhound, the investment community seems bullish towards the mass appeal of drones as evidenced by Accel Partners’ $75 million bet last May on DJI, the world’s largest drone manufacturer. But caution is urged as to whether drones can be utilised in a sustainable manner where safety, privacy, and environmental concerns are properly considered. For drones to really take off, these questions need to be resolved.