5 TECHNOLOGIES THAT COULD CHANGE THE FACE OF EVENTS (AND THE WORLD) // PART TWO // ATTACK OF THE DRONES

Occasionally, and in Shanghai this happens probably more than in any other city, one is arrested by the notion that we are not living in the present, but actually the future. Zooming around beneath epic skyscrapers studded with LED screens tens of stories high, we find that - in some ways at least - the future predicted by Bladerunner and films of that ilk has already arrived.

Any visit to a news website on a tablet computer (how exceedingly sci-fi in itself!) and we will undoubtedly see stories of exotic wars already being fought by unmanned drones. But what is far less harrowing and far more exhilarating is seeing nimbler commercial drones already being used for a variety of applications.

Most of these, so far at least, are (very successful) PR stunts. Instead of the usual delivery guy, how about getting a 12" stuffed crust meat feast pizza delivered by drone? Surely it's only a matter of time before Sherpas starts doing this! Or who on this entire planet wouldn't consider having drone-delivered beer to be the the best thing since beer itself? 

But, stunts aside, there are some who are seriously investing in this technology. Take China's own Shunfeng who have taken the ubiquitous kuaidi guy and replaced him with a zippy little delivery drone. Amazon Prime are planning similar things for their deliveries.

One day in the not to distant future, the sky may be filled with drones suited to a variety of purposes. Delivering hearts for urgent transplant procedures. Taking aerial footage for traffic control. Weather and pollution monitoring. Even cleaning windows on tall buildings.

The events world has ever been one that hungers for whatever technology is on the cutting edge. Could it be, as costs come down, that drones will be lifting off tarpaulin at car unveilings, gliding onto stage carrying trophies or flying in synchronised formations as the next generation of performance art? And if suddenly we realise in panic that the guests have drunk all of the champagne, will we be able to rely on a drone to make an emergency delivery of bubbly to save the day?