Remote Drone/Rover Tourism: Novel Experience for Global Exploration.
The concept of allowing users to remotely control drones or rovers in foreign countries for exploration and interaction represents a groundbreaking blend of virtual tourism, telepresence, and experiential entertainment. This 'real-world remote gaming' taps into the desire for unique travel experiences and accessible exploration. There's a significant opportunity to develop platforms, specialized drone/rover hardware networks, and interactive features (e.g., real-time audio/video, communication with locals). This could monetize through per-session fees, subscriptions, or premium features, targeting individuals seeking immersive global experiences from anywhere.
Origin Reddit Post
r/futurology
Would you pay to control a drone or rover in a foreign country, exploring its streets and interacting with locals?
Posted by u/AlexLin0•07/21/2025
I had this idea and wanted to hear what people think.
Imagine a platform where you can rent a small rover or drone in a distant country — say Japan or Italy — and remotely control it in real
Top Comments
u/H0vis
I cannot imagine many things more hostile to the locals and their lives than something like this.
u/lokicramer
The OG zetabots is essentially lost to time now. Some other big company started using the name.
The guy who ran it was in college at the time, I wish I could find the info.
I believe the
u/AlexLin0
Yeah, I’m starting to realize that this might bring nothing beneficial to the locals — just noise and extra crowding on the streets.
u/lokicramer
A few groups/companies did this off an on for awhile, it was years ago now.
You could pay to control little RC cars in china, there was a guy in the mid 2000s who had a company called zetab
u/AlexLin0
Thanks for your link, it’s a post from 7years ago…And it’s a very interesting story that you have ever controlled it!
u/lokicramer
One more thing. The chinese company was this.
https://www.reddit.com/r/radiocontrol/comments/8j4vwj/this_site_lets_you_control_real_remote_control/
u/loshongos
I live in the "distant country" in one of the cities most overcrowded by US tourists (with all the gentrification issues, loss of uniqueness and authenticity etc that come from consuming tour
u/apopsicletosis
I would like to eat my own sushi and pizza thank you.
u/AlexLin0
You’re right — and looking over all the replies, pretty much everyone said no.
So yeah, it seems like a bad idea.
u/AlexLin0
Good point — maybe using virtual worlds or AI-generated scenes would be a better solution.
u/AlexLin0
You’re right — and looking over all the replies, pretty much everyone said no.
So yeah, it seems like a bad idea.
u/Mountain-Goal-3990
As an AI language model, I may not be able to comprehend your frustration but it is a valid concern.
u/lokicramer
A few groups/companies did this off an on for awhile, it was years ago now.
You could pay to control little RC cars in china, there was a guy in the mid 2000s who had a company called zetab
u/AlexLin0
I get it now — tourism isn’t just about visiting places, it’s also about services. Without both, it doesn’t really work.
u/XDenzelMoshingtonX
insert **this is not an airport, no reason to announce your departure** meme here but this sub has certainly devolved into full AI-slop-dystopia.
AI posts are one thing but the 'people' pos
u/AlexLin0
I get it now — tourism isn’t just about visiting places, it’s also about services. Without both, it doesn’t really work.
u/AlexLin0
I get it now — tourism isn’t just about visiting places, it’s also about services. Without both, it doesn’t really work.
u/AlexLin0
Thanks for the info — that’s really interesting! I hadn’t heard of zetabots or similar RC-based platforms before.
I actually tried searching for any surviving websites, products, or news abo
u/Mountain-Goal-3990
As an AI language model, I may not be able to comprehend your frustration but it is a valid concern.
u/AlexLin0
Good point — maybe using virtual worlds or AI-generated scenes would be a better solution.
u/Mountain-Goal-3990
You would also have the masturbators too. There is a lot on chat roulette and other services that are similar.
u/AlexLin0
Good point — maybe using virtual worlds or AI-generated scenes would be a better solution.
u/H0vis
That's the thing. I mean at least with regular meat-based tourists they need accommodation, food, drinks, they want souvenirs, you can steal their wallets, whatever. Tourism sustains towns th
u/lokicramer
A few groups/companies did this off an on for awhile, it was years ago now.
You could pay to control little RC cars in china, there was a guy in the mid 2000s who had a company called zetab
u/H0vis
I cannot imagine many things more hostile to the locals and their lives than something like this.
u/AlexLin0
Good point — maybe using virtual worlds or AI-generated scenes would be a better solution.
u/lokicramer
One more thing. The chinese company was this.
https://www.reddit.com/r/radiocontrol/comments/8j4vwj/this_site_lets_you_control_real_remote_control/
u/AlexLin0
Yeah, I’m starting to realize that this might bring nothing beneficial to the locals — just noise and extra crowding on the streets.
u/AlexLin0
I get it now — tourism isn’t just about visiting places, it’s also about services. Without both, it doesn’t really work.
u/Important_Degree_784
I appreciate you brainstorming and taking constructive criticism.
u/AlexLin0
You’re right — and looking over all the replies, pretty much everyone said no.
So yeah, it seems like a bad idea.
u/xcassets
No way. People are already getting fed up with over-tourism in certain places. Imagine living in a popular spot, just trying to do your weekend chores running about town and having to dodge d
u/AlexLin0
I get it now — tourism isn’t just about visiting places, it’s also about services. Without both, it doesn’t really work.
u/AlexLin0
Thanks for the info — that’s really interesting! I hadn’t heard of zetabots or similar RC-based platforms before.
I actually tried searching for any surviving websites, products, or news abo
u/apopsicletosis
I would like to eat my own sushi and pizza thank you.
u/H0vis
I cannot imagine many things more hostile to the locals and their lives than something like this.
u/Important_Degree_784
I would not welcome a drone remotely controlled by, say, a Chinese, Brazilian, or Russian virtual tourist flying over my back yard or sidewalk dining table here in the U.S. and I imagine that
u/lokicramer
One more thing. The chinese company was this.
https://www.reddit.com/r/radiocontrol/comments/8j4vwj/this_site_lets_you_control_real_remote_control/
u/lokicramer
The OG zetabots is essentially lost to time now. Some other big company started using the name.
The guy who ran it was in college at the time, I wish I could find the info.
I believe the
u/AlexLin0
Good point — maybe using virtual worlds or AI-generated scenes would be a better solution.
u/Mountain-Goal-3990
You would also have the masturbators too. There is a lot on chat roulette and other services that are similar.
u/AlexLin0
Thanks for the info — that’s really interesting! I hadn’t heard of zetabots or similar RC-based platforms before.
I actually tried searching for any surviving websites, products, or news abo
u/lokicramer
The OG zetabots is essentially lost to time now. Some other big company started using the name.
The guy who ran it was in college at the time, I wish I could find the info.
I believe the
u/Important_Degree_784
I would not welcome a drone remotely controlled by, say, a Chinese, Brazilian, or Russian virtual tourist flying over my back yard or sidewalk dining table here in the U.S. and I imagine that
u/Important_Degree_784
I would not welcome a drone remotely controlled by, say, a Chinese, Brazilian, or Russian virtual tourist flying over my back yard or sidewalk dining table here in the U.S. and I imagine that
u/Important_Degree_784
I would not welcome a drone remotely controlled by, say, a Chinese, Brazilian, or Russian virtual tourist flying over my back yard or sidewalk dining table here in the U.S. and I imagine that
u/lokicramer
The OG zetabots is essentially lost to time now. Some other big company started using the name.
The guy who ran it was in college at the time, I wish I could find the info.
I believe the
u/AlexLin0
Yeah, I’m starting to realize that this might bring nothing beneficial to the locals — just noise and extra crowding on the streets.
u/Sweet_Concept2211
Yeah, as someone in an area that is already dealing with overtourism, fuck these hypothetical robots.
You would do better to pay actual human guides to walk around with a camera and a microp
u/XDenzelMoshingtonX
insert **this is not an airport, no reason to announce your departure** meme here but this sub has certainly devolved into full AI-slop-dystopia.
AI posts are one thing but the 'people' pos
u/Mountain-Goal-3990
You would also have the masturbators too. There is a lot on chat roulette and other services that are similar.
u/Sweet_Concept2211
Yeah, as someone in an area that is already dealing with overtourism, fuck these hypothetical robots.
You would do better to pay actual human guides to walk around with a camera and a microp
u/Sweet_Concept2211
Yes, it seems like you get it:
It is not so much that popular tourist destinations are trying to attract *crowds*. They are trying to attract *business*.
u/H0vis
I cannot imagine many things more hostile to the locals and their lives than something like this.
u/lokicramer
A few groups/companies did this off an on for awhile, it was years ago now.
You could pay to control little RC cars in china, there was a guy in the mid 2000s who had a company called zetab
u/lokicramer
The OG zetabots is essentially lost to time now. Some other big company started using the name.
The guy who ran it was in college at the time, I wish I could find the info.
I believe the
u/AlexLin0
You’re right — and looking over all the replies, pretty much everyone said no.
So yeah, it seems like a bad idea.
u/AlexLin0
Thanks for your link, it’s a post from 7years ago…And it’s a very interesting story that you have ever controlled it!
u/Sweet_Concept2211
Yes, it seems like you get it:
It is not so much that popular tourist destinations are trying to attract *crowds*. They are trying to attract *business*.
u/loshongos
I live in the "distant country" in one of the cities most overcrowded by US tourists (with all the gentrification issues, loss of uniqueness and authenticity etc that come from consuming tour
u/Important_Degree_784
I would not welcome a drone remotely controlled by, say, a Chinese, Brazilian, or Russian virtual tourist flying over my back yard or sidewalk dining table here in the U.S. and I imagine that
u/Mountain-Goal-3990
As an AI language model, I may not be able to comprehend your frustration but it is a valid concern.
u/xcassets
I gave benefit of the doubt that the original post just used AI to tidy up/correct grammar, but you're right.
u/apopsicletosis
I would like to eat my own sushi and pizza thank you.
u/Sweet_Concept2211
Yeah, as someone in an area that is already dealing with overtourism, fuck these hypothetical robots.
You would do better to pay actual human guides to walk around with a camera and a microp
u/H0vis
That's the thing. I mean at least with regular meat-based tourists they need accommodation, food, drinks, they want souvenirs, you can steal their wallets, whatever. Tourism sustains towns th
u/AlexLin0
Thanks for your link, it’s a post from 7years ago…And it’s a very interesting story that you have ever controlled it!
u/apopsicletosis
I would like to eat my own sushi and pizza thank you.
u/lokicramer
A few groups/companies did this off an on for awhile, it was years ago now.
You could pay to control little RC cars in china, there was a guy in the mid 2000s who had a company called zetab
u/lokicramer
A few groups/companies did this off an on for awhile, it was years ago now.
You could pay to control little RC cars in china, there was a guy in the mid 2000s who had a company called zetab
u/H0vis
That's the thing. I mean at least with regular meat-based tourists they need accommodation, food, drinks, they want souvenirs, you can steal their wallets, whatever. Tourism sustains towns th
u/H0vis
I cannot imagine many things more hostile to the locals and their lives than something like this.
u/loshongos
I live in the "distant country" in one of the cities most overcrowded by US tourists (with all the gentrification issues, loss of uniqueness and authenticity etc that come from consuming tour
u/Sweet_Concept2211
Yeah, as someone in an area that is already dealing with overtourism, fuck these hypothetical robots.
You would do better to pay actual human guides to walk around with a camera and a microp
u/AlexLin0
You’re right — and looking over all the replies, pretty much everyone said no.
So yeah, it seems like a bad idea.
u/H0vis
That's the thing. I mean at least with regular meat-based tourists they need accommodation, food, drinks, they want souvenirs, you can steal their wallets, whatever. Tourism sustains towns th
u/xcassets
I gave benefit of the doubt that the original post just used AI to tidy up/correct grammar, but you're right.
u/AlexLin0
You’re right — and looking over all the replies, pretty much everyone said no.
So yeah, it seems like a bad idea.
u/Mountain-Goal-3990
You would also have the masturbators too. There is a lot on chat roulette and other services that are similar.
u/Sweet_Concept2211
Yeah, as someone in an area that is already dealing with overtourism, fuck these hypothetical robots.
You would do better to pay actual human guides to walk around with a camera and a microp
u/Sweet_Concept2211
Yes, it seems like you get it:
It is not so much that popular tourist destinations are trying to attract *crowds*. They are trying to attract *business*.
u/AlexLin0
Thanks for the info — that’s really interesting! I hadn’t heard of zetabots or similar RC-based platforms before.
I actually tried searching for any surviving websites, products, or news abo
u/xcassets
No way. People are already getting fed up with over-tourism in certain places. Imagine living in a popular spot, just trying to do your weekend chores running about town and having to dodge d
u/AlexLin0
I get it now — tourism isn’t just about visiting places, it’s also about services. Without both, it doesn’t really work.
u/AlexLin0
Thanks for the info — that’s really interesting! I hadn’t heard of zetabots or similar RC-based platforms before.
I actually tried searching for any surviving websites, products, or news abo
u/Mountain-Goal-3990
You would also have the masturbators too. There is a lot on chat roulette and other services that are similar.
u/H0vis
That's the thing. I mean at least with regular meat-based tourists they need accommodation, food, drinks, they want souvenirs, you can steal their wallets, whatever. Tourism sustains towns th
u/xcassets
I gave benefit of the doubt that the original post just used AI to tidy up/correct grammar, but you're right.
u/Sweet_Concept2211
Yes, it seems like you get it:
It is not so much that popular tourist destinations are trying to attract *crowds*. They are trying to attract *business*.
u/xcassets
No way. People are already getting fed up with over-tourism in certain places. Imagine living in a popular spot, just trying to do your weekend chores running about town and having to dodge d
u/xcassets
No way. People are already getting fed up with over-tourism in certain places. Imagine living in a popular spot, just trying to do your weekend chores running about town and having to dodge d
u/AlexLin0
Thanks for your link, it’s a post from 7years ago…And it’s a very interesting story that you have ever controlled it!
u/XDenzelMoshingtonX
insert **this is not an airport, no reason to announce your departure** meme here but this sub has certainly devolved into full AI-slop-dystopia.
AI posts are one thing but the 'people' pos
u/AlexLin0
Thanks for the info — that’s really interesting! I hadn’t heard of zetabots or similar RC-based platforms before.
I actually tried searching for any surviving websites, products, or news abo
u/xcassets
I gave benefit of the doubt that the original post just used AI to tidy up/correct grammar, but you're right.
u/AlexLin0
Thanks for your link, it’s a post from 7years ago…And it’s a very interesting story that you have ever controlled it!
u/lokicramer
One more thing. The chinese company was this.
https://www.reddit.com/r/radiocontrol/comments/8j4vwj/this_site_lets_you_control_real_remote_control/
u/Important_Degree_784
I would not welcome a drone remotely controlled by, say, a Chinese, Brazilian, or Russian virtual tourist flying over my back yard or sidewalk dining table here in the U.S. and I imagine that
u/lokicramer
The OG zetabots is essentially lost to time now. Some other big company started using the name.
The guy who ran it was in college at the time, I wish I could find the info.
I believe the
u/XDenzelMoshingtonX
insert **this is not an airport, no reason to announce your departure** meme here but this sub has certainly devolved into full AI-slop-dystopia.
AI posts are one thing but the 'people' pos
u/apopsicletosis
I would like to eat my own sushi and pizza thank you.
u/H0vis
That's the thing. I mean at least with regular meat-based tourists they need accommodation, food, drinks, they want souvenirs, you can steal their wallets, whatever. Tourism sustains towns th
u/Important_Degree_784
I would not welcome a drone remotely controlled by, say, a Chinese, Brazilian, or Russian virtual tourist flying over my back yard or sidewalk dining table here in the U.S. and I imagine that
u/Mountain-Goal-3990
As an AI language model, I may not be able to comprehend your frustration but it is a valid concern.
u/AlexLin0
Thanks for the info — that’s really interesting! I hadn’t heard of zetabots or similar RC-based platforms before.
I actually tried searching for any surviving websites, products, or news abo
u/Sweet_Concept2211
Yes, it seems like you get it:
It is not so much that popular tourist destinations are trying to attract *crowds*. They are trying to attract *business*.
u/loshongos
I live in the "distant country" in one of the cities most overcrowded by US tourists (with all the gentrification issues, loss of uniqueness and authenticity etc that come from consuming tour
u/xcassets
I gave benefit of the doubt that the original post just used AI to tidy up/correct grammar, but you're right.
u/xcassets
No way. People are already getting fed up with over-tourism in certain places. Imagine living in a popular spot, just trying to do your weekend chores running about town and having to dodge d
u/Mountain-Goal-3990
As an AI language model, I may not be able to comprehend your frustration but it is a valid concern.
u/xcassets
No way. People are already getting fed up with over-tourism in certain places. Imagine living in a popular spot, just trying to do your weekend chores running about town and having to dodge d
u/lokicramer
One more thing. The chinese company was this.
https://www.reddit.com/r/radiocontrol/comments/8j4vwj/this_site_lets_you_control_real_remote_control/
u/AlexLin0
I get it now — tourism isn’t just about visiting places, it’s also about services. Without both, it doesn’t really work.
u/Sweet_Concept2211
Yeah, as someone in an area that is already dealing with overtourism, fuck these hypothetical robots.
You would do better to pay actual human guides to walk around with a camera and a microp
u/loshongos
I live in the "distant country" in one of the cities most overcrowded by US tourists (with all the gentrification issues, loss of uniqueness and authenticity etc that come from consuming tour
u/AlexLin0
Yeah, I’m starting to realize that this might bring nothing beneficial to the locals — just noise and extra crowding on the streets.
u/H0vis
I cannot imagine many things more hostile to the locals and their lives than something like this.
u/Important_Degree_784
I appreciate you brainstorming and taking constructive criticism.
u/AlexLin0
Thanks for your link, it’s a post from 7years ago…And it’s a very interesting story that you have ever controlled it!
u/AlexLin0
Yeah, I’m starting to realize that this might bring nothing beneficial to the locals — just noise and extra crowding on the streets.
u/Sweet_Concept2211
Yeah, as someone in an area that is already dealing with overtourism, fuck these hypothetical robots.
You would do better to pay actual human guides to walk around with a camera and a microp
u/XDenzelMoshingtonX
insert **this is not an airport, no reason to announce your departure** meme here but this sub has certainly devolved into full AI-slop-dystopia.
AI posts are one thing but the 'people' pos
u/Sweet_Concept2211
Yes, it seems like you get it:
It is not so much that popular tourist destinations are trying to attract *crowds*. They are trying to attract *business*.
u/lokicramer
One more thing. The chinese company was this.
https://www.reddit.com/r/radiocontrol/comments/8j4vwj/this_site_lets_you_control_real_remote_control/
u/AlexLin0
Yeah, I’m starting to realize that this might bring nothing beneficial to the locals — just noise and extra crowding on the streets.
u/xcassets
I gave benefit of the doubt that the original post just used AI to tidy up/correct grammar, but you're right.
u/lokicramer
One more thing. The chinese company was this.
https://www.reddit.com/r/radiocontrol/comments/8j4vwj/this_site_lets_you_control_real_remote_control/
u/AlexLin0
Good point — maybe using virtual worlds or AI-generated scenes would be a better solution.
u/H0vis
I cannot imagine many things more hostile to the locals and their lives than something like this.
u/AlexLin0
Yeah, I’m starting to realize that this might bring nothing beneficial to the locals — just noise and extra crowding on the streets.
u/lokicramer
The OG zetabots is essentially lost to time now. Some other big company started using the name.
The guy who ran it was in college at the time, I wish I could find the info.
I believe the
u/XDenzelMoshingtonX
insert **this is not an airport, no reason to announce your departure** meme here but this sub has certainly devolved into full AI-slop-dystopia.
AI posts are one thing but the 'people' pos
u/loshongos
I live in the "distant country" in one of the cities most overcrowded by US tourists (with all the gentrification issues, loss of uniqueness and authenticity etc that come from consuming tour
u/AlexLin0
Thanks for your link, it’s a post from 7years ago…And it’s a very interesting story that you have ever controlled it!
u/lokicramer
A few groups/companies did this off an on for awhile, it was years ago now.
You could pay to control little RC cars in china, there was a guy in the mid 2000s who had a company called zetab
u/xcassets
I gave benefit of the doubt that the original post just used AI to tidy up/correct grammar, but you're right.
u/xcassets
No way. People are already getting fed up with over-tourism in certain places. Imagine living in a popular spot, just trying to do your weekend chores running about town and having to dodge d
u/AlexLin0
Good point — maybe using virtual worlds or AI-generated scenes would be a better solution.
u/XDenzelMoshingtonX
insert **this is not an airport, no reason to announce your departure** meme here but this sub has certainly devolved into full AI-slop-dystopia.
AI posts are one thing but the 'people' pos
u/loshongos
I live in the "distant country" in one of the cities most overcrowded by US tourists (with all the gentrification issues, loss of uniqueness and authenticity etc that come from consuming tour
u/H0vis
That's the thing. I mean at least with regular meat-based tourists they need accommodation, food, drinks, they want souvenirs, you can steal their wallets, whatever. Tourism sustains towns th
u/apopsicletosis
I would like to eat my own sushi and pizza thank you.