Researchers at Nasa are developing an air traffic control system for drones.

Developed at Nasa’s Moffett Field base, the new system will control drones that fly 500ft off the ground.

Similar to an air traffic control system for conventional aircraft, the new system would monitor for adverse weather conditions as well as ensure that the drones do not clash with buildings.

"When you have a number of them in operation in the same airspace, there is no infrastructure to support it."

Nasa principal investigator Parimal Kopardekar was quoted by The New York Times: "One at a time, you can make them work and keep them safe.

"But when you have a number of them in operation in the same airspace, there is no infrastructure to support it."

The first commercial applications of drones will be in agriculture and asset monitoring, Kopardekar said.

The US Federal Aviation Administration plans to soon draft new rules for unmanned aircraft that are less than 55lb.

Tech giants such as Google and Amazon have already launched drone-based delivery system development with an aim to deliver goods to their customers through air.

Google plans to take up additional measures over the next one year in order to improve its drone’s navigation ability and enhance its journey.

Defence Technology