In aviation and in space, a drone refers to an unpiloted aircraft or spacecraft. Another term for a drone is an unmanned aerial vehicle ( UAV) or Remotely Piloted Aerial Systems (RPAS).
It is a flying robot that can be remotely controlled or fly autonomously through software-controlled flight plans in their embedded systems, working in conjunction with onboard sensors and GPS.
On Earth, drones are often used for military purposes because they don’t put a pilot’s life at risk in combat zones. In addition, drones don’t require rest, enabling them to fly as long as there is fuel in the craft and there are no mechanical difficulties.
Safety inspections
Drones can provide faster access to high-quality, real-time visual inspection for all types of utility companies that need to inspect power lines, oil and gas pipelines, transmission towers, and bridges.
The ability to sense in three dimension, take thermal readings, and to detect metal strain will greatly improve infrastructure inspection.
Small drones that can hover and get close will provide a new level of detail to improve performance.
Law-enforcement
Drones can be deployed to track large gatherings at markets, sports, church and cinemas to ensure that criminals or terrorists are at bay.
Drones can be used to patrol borders so as to detect smugglers of drugs and banned goods.
Construction
The ability to quickly model from above in 3D with increasing precision will provide a important way to check on projects, compare plans, as well as better coordination of materials on the job site.
The ability for a drone to carry out a visual inspection of high-risk areas can save time and reduce H&S risks. Drone footage can be recorded from the safety of the site cabin and then sent to project stakeholders in HD quickly and effectively. Site inspections can be undertaken more regularly and cover larger areas more efficiently.
Disaster management
After a natural or man made disaster, a drone provides a quick means to gather information, navigate debris with a portable and useful technology. Equipped with high definition cameras and radars, drones can give rescuers access to a higher field of view.
Due to their Size, they can provide a close-up view of areas where larger aerial vehicles would prove perilous or inefficient.
Journalism, filming and aerial photography
Drones are starting to be used in sports photography and cinematography.
They were used in the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi for filming skiing and snowboarding events.
Another group considering using drones is journalists who deploy it to collect footage and information for use in live broadcast. It can be used in many ways to capture videos and photographs.
Aerial photography for the real estate market is becoming more popular also with drones.
