There has been much speculation over the possibility of a near future in which drones zipping around above heads in all directions becomes normal, whether it’s the burrito dropping drone earlier this year or CNN’s recent mission to see how useful news gathering drones could be.

But it’s Uber Technologies Inc. that now has showcased a use of drones that asks much less of an operator: the ad drone. In an attempt to appeal to future customers in Mexico, the company flew a fleet of drones over a gridlocked traffic jam in Mexico City for its UberPOOL service.

Uber already has 50,000 drivers in Mexico City, a fact according to reports that has provoked the ire of the city’s taxi drivers. But what Uber did earlier this year with its ad drone was essentially to provide the perfect ad at the right time. The ads, in Spanish, read, “The city would be for you and not 5.5 million cars,” while another ad told drivers the reason they couldn’t see the volcanoes was because of the fact they were driving alone – partly a reason for the city’s notorious smog.

According to Bloomberg, Uber is using the drones to advertise in Mexico because it plans to double its presence in Latin America by 2018.

Uber has been accused of “heckling” or “accosting” drivers for its unique advertising, and while unwanted ads popping up in any person’s face can be irksome, it could be argued Uber was offering a viable solution to traffic jam woes. Lyft Inc.’s  President John Zimmer also pointed out last month how ride-sharing and autonomous vehicles could be the solution for our traffic problems and overburdened environment.

So why haven’t we seen more ad drones in the U.S.? According to this report, as long as the drone – even if towing a banner – is operating over a stationary vehicle, and providing the company applies for a waiver, it can be done. This might not be the last we’ve seen of the ad drone.

Photo credit: CarlosVanVegas via Flickr