Drones.

Drone Definition

A drone, also called an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), is a broad term that refers to an aircraft that operates autonomously or by remote control, with no pilot on board. Drones are usually small-or-medium-sized, and these ‘flying robots’ can carry out a wide range of tasks, from stealth military operations to package delivery to aerial photography.

UAV Meaning

Another name for drones is unmanned aerial vehicle, which is an aircraft that doesn’t require a pilot to be physically onboard. UAVs are often separated into two categories — civilian and military. While civilian UAVs are used for package deliveries and recreation, military drones are used for reconnaissance missions and aerial combat.

What Are Drones Used For?

Drone technology has become a greater part of everyday life due to its increasing complexity. Here are a few ways drones are used today.  

Photography and Videography

Drones have been a boon for photographers who use UAVs to take expansive aerial photos. There are drones made specifically for photography that provide a new way to photograph some of your favorite city skyline, beach or building from high above. Drones can also be used to record videos for sporting events, films and virtual real estate tours, providing footage from unprecedented vantage points to enhance the viewing experience. 

Delivery Services

Delivery drones are UAVs used to transport food, packages or goods to your front doorstep. These flying vehicles are known as “last mile” delivery drones because they are used to make deliveries from stores or warehouses close by. 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.

Search and Rescue

Sometimes it’s not safe enough to send humans into a rescue situation, due to the scope or severity of the disaster. That’s where drones come in. In the case of a capsized boat or drowning individual, officials can throw an autonomous underwater vehicle into the water to assist in the rescue. If there’s an avalanche, drones are deployed to look for those caught in the snow.

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.

Surveillance

Both local law enforcement and military personnel can operate more effectively with the help of drones. Police can use drones to monitor events, record and preserve video evidence of traffic violations and recreate crime scenes through mapping analysis. Meanwhile, military personnel can apply drone technology to track enemy soldiers’ locations, conducting more focused attacks and refining their strategies.   

Personal Use

Thanks to lower costs, drones are much more accessible to the average consumer. Anyone can use drones for recreational use, like taking pictures for personal use or practicing flying a drone in a park. In addition, pilots must follow recreational regulations and ensure they have any required certifications before flying a drone for fun.     

Wildlife Monitoring

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 and get a better idea of the health of their species and ecosystems. Drones are also being used for reforestation efforts all over the world.

3D Modeling

LiDAR drones come outfitted with LiDAR sensors, which survey landscapes and compile in-depth data that can be used to build 3D models. Drones equipped with LiDAR can present far more accurate data than drones without the technology.

Military Operations

The British and U.S. militaries started using very basic forms of drones in the early 1940s to spy on enemies. Today’s drones are much more advanced than the UAVs of yesteryear, equipped with thermal imaging, laser range finders and even tools to perform airstrikes.

Types of Drones

There are several different types of drones, each tailored to the unique demands of different industries. For instance, some people require lightweight drones to hold a camera for photography, while others need robust drones to transport heavy medical supplies.

Multi-Rotor Drones

Multi-rotor drones have several propellers that push wind downward to vertically lift off the ground. Multi-rotor drones are probably the most accessible drones available to the public, since they are easy to control and maneuver during flight. Some multi-rotor drones are ideal for beginner pilots as well, leading to them being an affordable option in the drone market.

Single-Rotor Drones

Single-rotor drones look like tiny helicopters, with one central propeller attached to its frame. They can be powered by gas or electricity, and are usually used to transport heavier objects, including LiDAR systems, that can be used to survey land, research storms and map erosion caused by global warming.

Fixed-Wing Drones

Fixed-wing drones look like normal airplanes, where the wings provide the lift instead of rotors. Since these drones are usually much larger, they need to take off and land on runways just as airplanes do. Fixed-wing UAVs are used by the military to carry out strikes, by scientists to carry large amounts of equipment and even by nonprofits to deliver food and other goods to areas that are hard to reach.

Fixed-Wing Hybrid VTOL Drones

Fixed-wing hybrid vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) drones blend the best of fixed-wing and rotary drone models — they can take off and land vertically but then fly horizontally. Companies take advantage of this combination, relying on fixed-wing hybrid VTOL drones to further cut down on delivery times while offering a more versatile flight experience.

Other Common Types of Drones

Drones companies have responded to the demand for drones in specific sectors as well. Below are some more popular types of drone technology designed for various scenarios:

• Underwater remotely operated vehicles
• Combat drones
• Delivery drones
• GPS drones
• Endurance drones
• Racing drones
• Reconnaissance drones
• Toy drones

How Do Drones Work?

In order to fly, drones rely on a combination of hardware and software components. They are often equipped with rotors, propellers or fixed wings, sensors and cameras, navigation systems (GPS) and gyroscopes for stability.

Additionally, some of the most critical components of drone technology are its ground control station (GCS), payload and data links. Ground control stations are the hardware and software setups that allow drone operators to communicate with a drone from the ground. The GCS can be user controlled or operated via satellites. Drones are often capable of carrying payloads, which can range from life-saving medication to Amazon packages. Data links act as the transmission center that allow the drone to communicate with the ground operator while in flight.

Future of Drone Technology

The global drone market is set to exceed $101 billion by 2032. While lower costs and more clear-cut regulations have made drones a viable option for individuals and businesses, technological innovation is perhaps the main driver behind the spread of drones.

Advances in Drone Technology

Drones have become much more complex with the help of other technologies. By equipping drones with AI and machine learning, they have achieved greater autonomy and the ability to complete more difficult tasks. Combining drone and IoT technology has also resulted in drones that can share data in real time with other drones and human operators. 

With increased intelligence and connectivity, it’s become possible to coordinate the movements of many drones at once. This powers what’s known as ‘drone swarms,’ which are capable of performing light shows as an alternative to fireworks. Enhanced drones can also make a meaningful impact in different industries:

• Healthcare: Drones could assess accident and emergency scenes and share data with first responders to help them reduce their response times and save lives.  
• Energy: Drones could survey infrastructure and equipment, reporting any damages or flaws for engineers to fix.
• Search and rescue: Drones could map out environments and predict where disasters like avalanches and rockslides could occur, keeping travelers safe.
• Weather forecasting: Drones could be flown into storms, tornadoes and other severe weather events to inform forecasting and safety response practices. 
• Aerospace: Drones could aid in scanning other planets and celestial objects, with NASA planning to send a drone to Saturn’s moon Titan in 2028.    

Challenges in Drone Technology

The very developments that have made drones more complex have also created a new set of concerns for the future of drone technology.

Drones being flown in residential areas could capture private information, and the ability to instantly share this data with other drones and human operators poses another risk to data privacy. Even though the FAA has established drone regulations, these are still evolving and may not do enough to encourage ethical and transparent drone usage.

The application of drones in warfare has also ramped up, with the Russia-Ukraine war being labeled the “first full-scale drone war.” Drone weaponry could soon become even more lethal with the introduction of swarm technology. While a single drone can be shot down easily, swarms of drones are far more difficult to defend against.

It’s how drones are used that could turn the technology into a danger for everyday individuals. If regulations don’t do enough to promote the responsible use of drones, the general public may lose trust and reject drone technology as a whole.

Drone Regulations

General Drone Regulations

The proliferation of drones has led the U.S. government to take a stronger stance on regulating its airspace. These are the FAA regulations that apply to drones in all contexts:  

• Drones must weigh no more than 55 pounds. 
• Drones must be registered with the FAA.
• Drones must follow remote ID rules, except in FAA-recognized identification areas.
• Drones must avoid ‘no drone zones,’ which can be viewed with the B4UFLY service.
• Drones must abide by any additional airspace restrictions.
• Drones must be flown no higher than 400 feet.  
• Drones must be kept in the line of sight of the pilot or an observer. 
• Drones must make way for other aircraft to maximize safety.  

Drone Regulations for Recreational Use

Recreational use means no compensation or professional services are involved. Even if someone is unpaid but offers to take photos for a nonprofit or volunteer organization, this still counts as non-recreational. Besides the typical guidelines, there are a few extra rules those using drones recreationally must adhere to: 

• Pilots must take the TRUST test and carry proof of passing. 
• Drones must be registered and have the registration number marked on them.
• Drones must be flown only for personal use (no compensation or services involved). 
• Drones must follow FAA-recognized community-based organization rules. 
• Drones must not affect other aircraft and the national airspace system.    

Drone Regulations for Commercial Use

Those looking to become certified remote pilots or who want to fly drones commercially must meet a separate set of standards in addition to the general guidelines:

• Pilots must follow Part 107 under federal regulations. 
• Qualified individuals must pass the knowledge test.
• Those seeking a remote pilot certificate must complete form 8710-13.  
• Pilots must register their drones and mark them with their registration details.

Drone Regulations for International Operators

Non-citizens are allowed to fly drones in the U.S. as well, whether they’re merely visiting or establishing business operations. In addition to following U.S. rules for recreational and commercial drone use, international flyers must also abide by these rules: 

• Pilots must register their drones or submit a notice of identification if their drone is registered outside the U.S.  
• Recreational users must follow the guidelines for community-based organizations. 
• Recreational users must visit the FAADroneZone portal and complete the necessary steps. 
• Commercial users must follow Part 375 under U.S. Department of Transportation regulations. 
• Commercial users must follow the typical rules for commercial flying. 
• Commercial users must possess a foreign aircraft permit issued by the DOT. This process may vary, depending on which country the operator is from. 
• Commercial users are responsible for taking steps to meet any additional standards, depending on the weight of their drones or business needs.