Coffee fans, brace yourselves: your favourite caffeinated beverage could be about to get a whole lot more sci-fi.

In developments that are bound to thrill coffee-drinkers and technophiles alike, IBM has patented a coffee-delivering drone that will be able to detect when people are tired and respond by bringing them a warm cup of Joe.

While the technology company has not yet revealed whether it intends to actually produce the drone, the news has sparked global titillation, as the idea of coffee on-demand becomes a closer reality.

UK drone users may have to pass online safety tests under legislation being introduced to the Commons on Wednesday.

Restrictions around airport boundaries have also been clarified stopping any drone flying within 1km of them.

The changes, which are set to come into effect between July 2018 and November 2019, follow a rise in the number of drone near-misses with aircrafts.

Aviation Minister Baroness Sugg said the measures were needed to “protect” aircraft and their passengers.

In addition to the safety tests, people who own drones weighing 250g or more will have to register with the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA).

Some drones, usually cheaper models, weigh less than 250g. But most – especially those with built-in cameras – weigh more.

Before, the regulations had applied to aircraft that weigh 20kg or less.

All drones will also be banned from flying above 400ft (121.9m), a rule which had been mentioned previously in the CAA’s Drone Code but will now be enshrined in law.