Study Shows One-Third of Canadians Concerned about Ottawa’s Regulation of Emerging Aerial Technology
A survey revealed that a third of Canadians have “low trust” in the federal government’s capability to regulate advanced aerial technology like air taxis and drones.
The Department of Transport conducted a study on the social acceptance of “Advanced Air Mobility” (AAM), which highlighted these findings. AAM pertains to electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft that can transport people and cargo to areas without adequate transportation options.
The study indicated that 31 percent of respondents lack trust in the government to manage the implementation of this technology. Additionally, only 21 percent of participants would ride in a robot-piloted air taxi, while 41 percent would prefer a human pilot.
The Department of Transport study mentioned potential benefits of AAM, including improved accessibility to remote communities, new business opportunities, and reduced greenhouse gas emissions.
Related Stories
However, the study cautioned that low social acceptance levels in Canada could hinder the adoption of AAM in the society.
The research, titled “Public Opinion Research Study on Examining the social acceptance of Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) by the Canadian public,” was commissioned to Leger Marketing in the previous year.
The study indicated that Canadians were more receptive to robot-piloted AAM for emergency services like search and rescue, firefighting, and emergency medical care. While most respondents believed AAM could be useful for cargo transport, opinions were divided on its applications for tourism and home deliveries.
Air taxis operate differently from airplanes as they do not rely on airports or runways, enabling them to serve more congested areas like cities for short-distance travel. They also run on electric power instead of traditional fuels like gasoline.
The aircraft recently completed a six-minute flight over downtown Manhattan in New York City, piloted by James “Buddy” Denham. The aircraft boasts a range of up to 100 miles and speeds of around 200 miles per hour.
