Have you noticed how much drones seem to have taken the tech-industry by storm in recent years? If you have, you’re not alone. Drones might have started out as small toys, but they’re a big industry now. There are drones for almost anything, and lots of different markets and professions have been revolutionalised by them.
Drones have become so popular that laws have had to change over the world. They are now seen as security risks, especially near airports or other busy areas. But not everything to do with drones is negative. They can actually have tons of uses that could actually help you.
If you want to know exactly how drones work, then you’re in the right place. In this article, we’re going to drill down on the subject and fill you in on the details so you can find out how this new technology really works. As well as that, we’ll look at a few different uses of drones you might not be aware of. They’re great for both entertainment and industry, and we’ll look at why. But first, let’s find out how they work.
How do drones work?
You might have heard to drones being referred to as UAVs. This stands for unmanned flying vehicles. The main purpose of drones is to be able to fly without having a pilot in it. This presents a number of key benefits for drone owners and controllers. It means you don’t have to risk putting a person in on, and you can fly one remotely from a safe distance. Drones are often much smaller than traditional aircraft.
Drones work in a similar way to small aircraft, although many are more like helicopters and have multiple propellers rather than single fixed-wing planes. However, there are also some fixed-wing drones available.
The actual flight works the same way as traditional aircraft, but the clever part with drones is that they are controlled remotely. This can be done by a number of different methods, like satellite, radio control or even wifi. You might fly a drone like you would a radio-controlled plane, and view it from a distance. However, more advanced drones have cameras on-board and you can fly remotely with a view on a computer as you would if you were on the drone. This makes it easier to fly and gives you more possibilities.
Standard drones will be as light as possible. While some drones are entering the market that can have payloads, and sites like Amazon are trialing drones for delivery, most drones need to be as light as possible. That’s easier since they don’t have pilots, but it means they can’t carry much. It makes them good for surveillance and other similar tasks, but not great for heavy-duty stuff.
Drones can be fitted with a range of different technology depending on what they’re being used for. Like different types of cameras including infra-red systems.
The tip or nose of the drone is normally where all the navigation equipment is located. This can include cameras as well as other sensors. The flight systems and technology are normally located further back in the body of the drone.
While many drones need a remote controller or remote pilot to fly them, there are a number of automated drones that can go up and fly without needing continuous human control. These can be fully automated and have return to home features. Again, this makes them great for security and surveillance.
What different uses are there for drones?
Now you’ve got a general idea of how drones work, we can look a bit more closely at what they can be used for and what industries have made the most of this new technology.
Toys and entertainment
You might have first found out about drones when you saw them in the toy store, but these are some of the most basic drones available. That doesn’t mean they aren’t fun, though. Drones like this can be flown in your garden and controlled with a smartphone.
There are entertainment options with drones, and some drone racing clubs and competitions have started springing up.
Surveillance and security
One industry drones have completely revolutionalised is the surveillance and security industry. Having a complete, remote view of areas used to be difficult and expensive. You had to have multiple cameras in a range of different locations. Now you can have one drone pilot simply controlling a drone to go and view different areas at different times, at a fraction of the cost.
Drones are a great way to keep busy outdoor sites secure, especially at night with night vision.
Construction industry
Managing a busy construction site has become a lot easier with drone technology. Now managers can stay in a secure office and make safety checks without taking any risks. They can also make sure everyone on-site is working well and even help with deliveries with the right drone technology.
Filming and photography
Getting aerial shots of buildings used to be expensive. You’d have to pay for a private flight of either a plane or helicopter. That takes a lot of planning, and a lot of money. Now you can do the job quickly, easily and affordably with the right drone technology.
Land surveying and mapping
People used to have to go to a lot of trouble to map areas. Now you can do it remotely and automatically if you use drones fitted with the right technology. If you want a land survey for a property purchase or want to map the resources in a certain area, or record animal populations—you can use a drone for it.
Military
Drone technology has impacted the military in a big way. Not only does it make military surveillance easier, it can also be used to carry out strikes without risking any military personnel.
Drones have changed a number of different industries in just a few short years. These advances look set to continue as drones become even more popular.
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