Drones have been the subject of quite a few controversies. Depending on what you’ve watched or read, you might have been given the impression that they are weapons of war, personal privacy threats, technological marvels that make videography a breeze, or a harmless toy.
All of these things, and more, are probably true to a certain extent. However, these unmanned aerial vehicles have also changed the way we live as different industries have found several uses for these machines. From last-mile delivery services to photography and videography, drones have been making waves all over the world.
Let’s take a look at some of the ways that drones are being used around the world today.
9 Different Ways that Drones Are Changing The World We Live in
Package Delivery
UAVs are now being deployed for the delivery of goods and packages straight to people’s doorsteps. This would prove to be very useful especially during this pandemic. The use of drones for package delivery can help minimize the number of people and vehicles on the streets which helps ensure public health and safety against COVID-19.
Precision Agriculture
Drones aren’t just playthings that people launch in the air for fun. Farmers have found a very effective way to monitor the health of their plants with the use of drones. It’s a lot cheaper than paying a few hundred dollars an hour for a plane or chopper ride. It gives them the ability to go for a closer look without the need to step out on the field.
Humanitarian Aid
Not everyone in the world has immediate access to health supplies and services. In fact, around 1.3 to 2.1 billion people in the entire world are a part of that demographic because they live in far-flung and remote areas, according to the World Health Organization. Drones are being used to deliver essential medical supplies and medicines to hard-to-reach communities.
Disaster Relief
One of a drone’s finest uses is in the area of disaster relief. Unmanned aerial vehicles can safely monitor emergency situations without risking any human life. The data they gather is then passed on to coordinators that relay the information to the first responders on the scene. On top of that, they can also help deliver first-aid kits to emergency sites, and in some cases where a camera and a mic are attached to a drone, can be used by 911 to give instructions to ordinary citizens and help them perform first aid on victims.
Safety Inspections
Industries where the risk of danger is high, like the construction and building industry, utilize drones to help ensure the safety of everyone who sets foot on project sites. Drones can be flown over different areas for monitoring and inspection, even in hard-to-reach places.
Internet Access
More than half of the world’s population does not have access to the internet. This means they are deprived of valuable information that could be helpful to them. Drones are being considered to provide internet access to communities within a 60-mile radius. These drones can stay aloft for three months at a time and are powered by solar energy and batteries.
Insurance
Drones are also being used now by insurance providers, especially where home and property insurance claims are concerned. For instance, if a natural disaster or fire was to damage your property, drones can be launched to take several photos and videos of the area. These pics and videos are then used to assess the amount of damage by which an insurance claim can be estimated.
Wildlife Conservation
In recent years, scientists used drones to closely monitor humpback whales off Caper Cod’s coastline. Today, drones are being used in Africa to protect its wildlife by policing its vast lands from poachers who are hunting down elephants and rhinos to sell their tusks and horns for thousands of dollars. Instead of having park rangers with limited capabilities out on the field, drones are deployed for easier and safer wildlife monitoring and protection.
Photography and Videography
One of the earlier uses of drones is in the fields of photography and videography. While people will have apprehensions about this because it could be used to invade personal privacy, its commercial use has proven to be quite popular among photographers and filmmakers. Dramatic aerial and follow shots are now easier and safer to pull off thanks to these machines.
As the years go by and as technology continues to advance, drones will take on different shapes and tasks that will make life much more convenient and the world a better place to live in.