Last week, Undefined Technologies (UT) a startup drone company based in Miami, Florida, successfully completed a test flight, powered by ion propulsion, that demonstrated significant increases in lifting power and mission time. The flight only lasted 2 minutes and 30 seconds, but the UT team was able to test the aircraft’s performance, flight dynamics, endurance, and noise levels. Two big takeaways: 1) the flight time increased by five times from the prior version of the drone; and 2) the noise levels generated by the drone were less than 85 decibels (the point at which a noise is considered “excessive”).

To understand the subjective nature of noise, the commonly used Noise Scale below compares the levels of noise in decibels (dB) to everyday examples of noise

LEVEL IN DECIBELS   EXAMPLE
110dB+ Jet engine at about 100m
100dB+ Jackhammer (pneumatic drill) at close range
80dB+ Loud highway noise at close range
70dB+ Louder traffic
60dB Quiet traffic noise.
50dB Louder conversation.
40dB Quiet conversation.
30dB Birds flying by.
20dB Watch ticking.
10dB Rustling or falling leaves.

By continuing to test this ion propulsion drone, UT hopes to conduct even longer flight times and achieve noise levels below 70 decibels.

UT has also joined the Aviation Sustainability Center (ASCENT-AERO) to assist in creating science-based solutions to help reduce the environmental impact of aviation. ASCENT-AERO’s goal is to create sustainable aircraft with zero carbon emissions and minimum noise.

UT hopes their drones can be used as the “last mile delivery” solution in urban areas where noise from drones is a large concern. The ultimate goal is to bring a silent drone to the market. More testing and further understanding of the physics will continue, but in order to fully integrate drones into our daily lives, the public would like to see the noise emanating from these drones eliminated or, at least, made unnoticeable. Of course, now comes the concern that there could be a silent drone hovering above you … that you don’t even know is there.

Photo of Kathryn Rattigan Kathryn Rattigan

Kathryn Rattigan is a member of the Business Litigation Group and the Data Privacy and Security Team. She concentrates her practice on privacy and security compliance under both state and federal regulations and advising clients on website and mobile app privacy and…

Kathryn Rattigan is a member of the Business Litigation Group and the Data Privacy and Security Team. She concentrates her practice on privacy and security compliance under both state and federal regulations and advising clients on website and mobile app privacy and security compliance. Kathryn helps clients review, revise and implement necessary policies and procedures under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). She also provides clients with the information needed to effectively and efficiently handle potential and confirmed data breaches while providing insight into federal regulations and requirements for notification and an assessment under state breach notification laws. Prior to joining the firm, Kathryn was an associate at Nixon Peabody. She earned her J.D., cum laude, from Roger Williams University School of Law and her B.A., magna cum laude, from Stonehill College. She is admitted to practice law in Massachusetts and Rhode Island. Read her full rc.com bio here.