Apple Park From the Air: Drone Pilot Says It’s a No Go

Duncan Sinfield may well be familiar to one or two drone and Apple enthusiasts. The creator and drone pilot has been recording the progressive construction of the new Apple Park with his drone and regularly postin his videos for the enjoyment of many.

But now, Sinfield believes that Apple Park could soon be declared a no-fly zone.

In a 6-minute video, Duncan Sinfield presents impressive aerial photographs of the now almost completed Apple headquarters, known as “Apple Park”. The corporate giant’s new buildings are finished in the end and the work on the green areas are in full swing.

In his view, it is only a matter of time before Apple takes active measures to completely prevent the drone flights over the headquarters, for example by setting up a prohibited zone.

“This is an extended length video, it’s only a matter of time until the campus becomes shut-off to drones completely… with a geo-fence, or something similar,” he writes. “Security at Apple Park generally responds in two white Prius’s to my precise take-off locations in 10 minutes or less.”

The filmmaker assumes that Apple has already installed technology for locating the pilots. “Security at Apple Park generally responds in two white Prius’s to my precise take-off locations in 10 minutes or less,” Sinfield wrote. “As always, I respect all requests by Apple Security to land my drone and leave the area when asked to do so.”

The technical ability to respond with this incredible efficiency are solutions such as DeDrone. Sinfield admits this is speculation, but says his “instincts tell me that Apple is tracking all drones in the vicinity of the campus with sophisticated radio frequency technology.”

DeDrone’s technology works by analyzing the radio signals of the drone, using sensors such as RF/WiFi scanners, microphones and cameras to collect data and determine the location of a detected drone.

Using this technology, the devices can be fully automatically monitored and the pilots can be located.

DeDrone told MarketWatch that due to confidentiality, they could not confirm or deny whether Apple was a customer, wrote drone blogger Sally French.

While it is not certain that Apple are utilising this technology, it does seem extremely likely.

Other companies also provide similar drone detection services, including Australian company DroneShield, who were recently contracted to protect the interests of organisers at the Commonwealth Games in Brisbane, Australia, and the NASCAR rally in Texas, USA.