Robot Flyers

Lights! Camera! Take off! The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announced yesterday (Sept. 25) that television and movie producers will now be able to use drones to capture high-flying aerial footage.

U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx announced that the agency has granted approval to six photo and video production companies to use drones for filming.

The companies that were successful in applying for the exemptions had to agree to obtain pilot certificates for drone operators. They will also need to keep the robotic flyers within view during filming, and all drones will be restricted to particular areas on the set, according to the FAA. Furthermore, no unmanned aerial filming will be permitted at night under the new rules, and every drone will have to undergo inspection before flying, agency officials said.

Companies such as Amazon and Googlehave had their drone projects — aimed at making drone delivery services available to online shoppers— put on hold while they wait for official FAA regulations. Last year, the FAA laid out a preliminary plan for overseeing commercial drone use, but comprehensive guidelines for the flying bots aren't due to be announced until 2015.