Amazon, Toyota Music Factory, Drones, Bank Crime: Thursday's Business Briefing

Harvey offers preview of how drones could be used to speed up rebuildingAs cleanup and rebuilding efforts ramp up in Houston and coastal areas damaged by Hurricane Harvey, drones are flying overhead and capturing images to help speed up the recovery.Companies are using drones to assess damage to homes, cell towers and railroads. For some, it's the first time they've sent drones into the skies after a natural disaster. The drones uses show how small unmanned aircraft systems are becoming a common resource for insurers, along with first responders.Drones have transformed from a fun gadget used by hobbyists into a useful tool used for agriculture, nonprofits and businesses. Software-enabled drones can hover over acres of farmland to monitor the health of crops. In some parts of Africa, they deliver blood transfusions, vaccinations and medicine.Hurricane Harvey is one of the first major storms to hit the U.S. since the Federal Aviation Adiministration began to hand out commercial drone licenses about a year ago.-Melissa RepkoPlus: Find more on technology and its effect on D-FW  Continue reading...