Drones: Our sight with technology

 

Drones which are sometimes referred to as unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), carry out tasks that range from the mundane to the ultra-dangerous.

Drones can be as large as an aircraft or as small as the palm of your hand.

A drone’s autonomy level can range from remotely piloted (a human controls its movements) to advanced autonomy, which means that it relies on a system of sensors and LiDAR detectors to calculate its movement.

Because drones can be controlled remotely and can be flown at varying distances and heights, they make perfect candidates to take on some of the toughest jobs in the world.

Drones rely on a combination of hardware and software components to achieve successful takeoff, flight and landing.

Drones depend on a number of parts working together in order to complete tasks under changing conditions.

Drones fly using the quad copter’s four propellers. 

When the propellers spin, they push air down. 

Similar to a helicopter, pushing the air down is the action in Newton's third law of motion. 

The reaction is a force, called lift, which pushes the quad copter up.

Smaller consumer drones typically have a range of up to 2 miles, while larger, more advanced drones can have ranges of up to 10 miles or more. GPS-enabled drones can fly up to 20 miles or more, and BVLOS drones can fly up to 100 miles or more.

The average flight time for mid-level drones is about 22 minutes. 

The average flight time of high-end consumer drones is about 28 minutes.

Many parts are involved behind the scenes to support the seamless operation of drones, so it’s important to become familiar with the unmanned or remote technology that makes up a drone’s system.

From delivering commands to ensuring a manageable weight, pilots must take into account the various factors that make a drone suited for specific jobs.

Drones come in a variety of types, each tailored to the unique demands of different industries.

Military Drones

Probably the oldest, most well-known and controversial use of drones is in the military. The British and U.S. militaries started using very basic forms of drones in the early 1940s to spy on the Axis powers.

Drones for Delivery

Retailers and grocery chains all over the country are turning to drones as a more efficient delivery alternative, instead of relying on delivery drivers with inefficient trucks. Amazon, Wal-Mart, Google, FedEx, UPS and many other big brands are all testing out different versions of delivery drones.

Drones for Emergency Rescue

Sometimes it is not safe enough to send humans into a rescue situation, due to the scope or severity of the disaster. That is where drones come in. 

In the case of a capsized boat or drowning individual, officials can throw an Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV) into the water to assist in the rescue.

Drones in Agriculture

Drones have proven to be beneficial to the agriculture industry as well, presenting farmers with several ways to optimize their farms to maximize efficiency and reduce physical strain.

Carrying out field surveys, seeding over fields, tracking livestock and estimating crop yield are all made easier through the use of UAVs while saving agriculture professionals valuable time.

Drones for Wildlife and Historical Conservation

Drones are a cheaper and more efficient alternative to wildlife conservation.

Tracking wildlife populations is nearly impossible with humans on the ground.

 Having an eye-in-the-sky allows wildlife conservationists to track roaming groups of animals, ranging from Orangutans in Borneo to Bison on the Great Plains, to get a better idea of the health of their species and ecosystems.

Conservation drones also make perfect tools in the fight against poaching efforts in Asia and Africa.

Drones for Photography

Drones have been a boon for photographers who use UAVs to take expansive aerial photos. 

Ever wonder what it is like to get a bird’s eye view of your favorite city, beach or building? There are drones made specifically for photography that provide a new way to photograph some of your favorite destinations from above.

The number of drones in the air is expected to increase rapidly in the

coming years and we can always maximize its potentials for a better future.

Thanks for Reading!!