First off, I am totally new to drones, so I have no idea whether my requirements make any sense or not. I'd like a drone that has a quite big flying radius (1-2km or more, if possible), can be preprogrammed to take certain routes (meaning you can fly one flight, which you record, then redo the exact same flight later) if this doesn't exist, a fairly good api (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Api) where you can request position-data, as well as sending flight commands would suffice. I also want it to be able to deliver small packages (like a can of soda) preferably through some cargo hold which can be closed/opened through the api. It should also be driven by electricity (batteries) and can recharge in a docking station. The purpose is to program it with routes to places we usually hang out at, and combine it with some kind of automated vending machine, so that you can use your phone (app) to order stuff you need from your house.
You could do it for fun, but not in any way commercially and you are likely to get in trouble if you fly over public roads, near power wires, etc... All APM machines can follow waypoints (that's the word for pre-programmed GPS points). http://diydrones.com/ Also, machines such as DJI's S line have waypoint support: http://www.dji.com/product/spreading-wings-s1000 I think the use you mention WILL happen most everywhere sometime in the future.....but doing it now would be an expensive hobby. You may get $2 for a can of soda, but lose $10,000.00 when your machine gets hijacked along the way or crashes. One morning last week I woke up and needed cream for my coffee. So I got inside my 2 ton car and drove a couple miles to the store and back - to get 16oz. of cream! It made me realize how wasteful much of our transportation is. Imagine if we took all the cars off the road that were doing stupid errands like what I did... Instead, I should have been able to order it only and have it dropped off within 15 minutes - there is a supermarket within 1/2 miles (as the crow flies) from my house and another store about 1.2 miles. Future drones could be designed to fly over public roads only in such areas (relatively rural). Consider the pollution difference and everything else between having a car driving down a road and a drone flying 20 feet above it...my guess is that you save at least 90% in terms of total lifecycle energy. Anyway, that's in the future. My guess is that some experiments will start within a few years and maybe some private communities will have this in 10-12 years.
