We are living in what has been dubbed the “golden age” of drones. The technology has been rapidly accelerated since the 1990s resulting in drones being utilized in many different industries. Let’s take a look at some of the popular uses of drones across different industries today.
Agriculture
Agriculture is one of the most logical industries where drones can be incorporated. In fact, drones have been used to provide better real time monitoring of crops. They have also proven effective in helping streamline operations and improve crop production. The advent of drones that can cover larger areas with a longer flight time and greater stability such as quadcopters has been important for working in industries such as this that are quite spread out geographically.
Construction
Drones provide a myriad of benefits to the construction industry. They are able to accomplish tasks that would be dangerous for a person such as inspecting high or potentially unstable areas. The use of infrared cameras can identify potential electrical issue on site. Drones with geospatial technology are frequently used to create 3-D models of work sites. They are also useful for security, helping monitor construction sites after hours.
Delivery
Most people have probably heard of Amazon’s concept of a Prime Air service that would use drones to provide fast, efficient delivery to customers. In fact, Amazon has been using drones in a delivery trial in the UK and recently received approval to begin testing in the United States. Other major delivery companies have joined and are actively investigating the feasibility, meaning delivery drones may be a regular thing in the future.
Emergency Services
One of the most impressive uses of drones is in areas such as search and rescue. Drones can be rapidly deployed to provide valuable information and even to assist others. Underwater drones are utilised to assist people who have been swept out to sea. Meanwhile, aerial drones can help look for survivors of situations such as avalanches and other natural disasters, allowing rescue efforts to be streamlined and more effective.
Energy
Energy is a relatively new area of exploration for drones; however, they have already proven effective. Many drones like the DJI Mini 2 allow for close inspection, providing valuable information. Drones are increasingly used to save money and reduce risk of injury by checking on wind turbines. They also allow for sampling of solar panels across a large solar farm, preventing the need for timely manual inspection. In refineries, drones allow for examining stacks instead of having to shut down production for a person to climb to the top.
Entertainment
Production companies for movies and television have integrated the use of drones into filming. They allow for getting innovative shots from unique angles without having to employ more expensive traditional technologies. Drones even make aerial shots convenient for small businesses wanting to shoot commercials due to their economical value. Furthermore, photographers are increasingly utilising drones to expand their craft. Drones like quadcopters are typically very steady and can provide excellent shots.
Military
The military was one of the first industries to significantly expand the use of drones. They are frequently used for surveillance, allowing intelligence to be gathered with minimal risk. They are also used for combat. While most people think of things like the large Predator drone which is the size of a plane, the reality is that most military drones are rather small. Many are launched by hand or are of the quadcopter variety, allowing them to travel relatively undetected and even enter tight spaces. Military drones such RQ-4A Global Hawk can cost as much as £100 million to build with a flight time of around 30 hours rather than minutes that we get for consumer drones.
Other Drone Services
The uses of drones are ever expanding. Drones software is vastly improving. In fact, drones are now able to interact with software to rapidly produce 3D models of buildings and landscapes that they survey. Drones can carry many sensors like LIDAR, photogrammetry, and multispectral sensors which easily interact to create computer models. Drones are even now employed in counter-drone technology. You may have heard of the ongoing efforts of the Tokyo police department in a viral article. Police are using drones with nets to capture drug-running drones in the city.
Final Thoughts
Drones have clearly become an important part of society, used in different sectors of industry. They will only continue to evolve as technology grows. Drones like the DJI Mini 2 are versatile, having a wide variety of uses. Dronescend provides this, quadcopter drones, drone accessories, and many other popular products to meet your needs.
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