As drones are becoming a large part of many different types of commercial applications, they are being used to develop ways for businesses to save money, operate more efficiently, and ensure employee safety. Military usage was once the main type of application for drones. Today, the majority of business owners are using drones in their respective fields of work, including those in agriculture, construction, logistics, and surveying. In the future, as the regulations regarding drones continue to evolve, so too will the number of businesses that use them for new ways of completing tasks.
1. The Enhancement of Agriculture Through Technology
In the field of agriculture, drones are being utilized to monitor crop development, inspect fields, and spray fertilizers or pesticides. The capability to view fields from an elevated position provides farmers with a means of developing plans to increase crop yields while at the same time decreasing waste.
Some examples of how drones are being used in the field of agriculture are:
Crop monitoring: Farmers utilize drones with various types of cameras and sensors to inspect plants for disease and damage caused by insects. These images are analyzed to determine if the plants require additional water, fertilizers, etc.
Precision agriculture: Drones are able to disperse fertilizers and pesticides directly onto the specific plants that require them, thereby conserving resources and increasing efficiency.
Soil analysis: Drones are capable of producing highly detailed maps of soil conditions which aid farmers in determining where best to place their crops and when to irrigate.
Use of this technology is not only beneficial to the farmer’s bottom line through increased production; it is also a means of promoting sustainability by lessening waste and the negative impacts of the environment.
2. Innovative Means of Inspection in Construction and Infrastructure Projects
Construction and infrastructure projects are utilizing drones in the place of traditional methods of inspection in order to provide a safer and more efficient method of inspecting the progression of projects. Drones are providing construction teams with a means of viewing the details of their project from above and identifying possible problems before they arise.
Applications of drones in construction include:
Site surveying: A drone is able to produce a 3-D model of a site, which assists construction professionals with better planning and measuring.
Monitoring the progression of a project: Drones are able to capture images of a project site regularly in order to document its progress and identify any potential delays.
Inspection of buildings: Drones are able to access parts of buildings that would be difficult or dangerous for humans to access, such as rooftops and high-rise building facades.
Construction companies are saving money and enhancing the success of their projects due to the use of drones to streamline the process of inspecting their projects.
3. Improving Logistics and Delivery Operations
Perhaps one of the largest commercial applications for drones in the near future will be within the delivery and logistics industry. Companies such as Amazon and UPS are currently testing drones for delivery purposes as a more efficient and cost-effective method of transporting products. Using drones for delivery will shorten delivery times and decrease the amount of ground vehicles required to complete deliveries. This makes drones particularly useful for delivering small parcels to remote locations.
Advantages of drone delivery:
Delivery speed: Drones will deliver packages in a much shorter period than a traditional delivery vehicle.
Reduced costs: Ground vehicles consume fuel and require labor to deliver packages. With drones, companies will be able to reduce their operational costs.
Access to remote locations: Drones are able to travel to remote or isolated locations that are inaccessible to other forms of transportation.
Logistics companies may be able to revolutionize the efficiency of the supply chain through the use of drones to transport goods.
4. Support of Environmental Research and Wildlife Conservation Efforts
In addition to the previously mentioned applications of drones in the private sector, they are also being used in conjunction with various types of environmental research and wildlife conservation efforts. Drones are being used to assist researchers in studying ecosystems and tracking wildlife populations as well as documenting changes to the environment.
Examples of environmental applications for drones include:
Tracking wildlife: Researchers are using drones to study the behavior of animals without disrupting their natural environments. This allows researchers to obtain information about conservation efforts.
Forestry monitoring: Researchers are using drones to monitor deforestation and assess the health of forests. Data collected from drones is helping researchers and policymakers create environmental policies.
Marine conservation: Researchers are using drones to survey marine life, monitor pollution levels, and track illegal fishing.
While drones are primarily used to enhance conservation efforts, they are also being used to improve the overall effectiveness of the research and policies implemented to protect the environment.
Conclusion
Unmanned aerial systems (UAS) are revolutionizing multiple sectors by introducing new capabilities in data collection, monitoring, and delivery. Whether you are in the agriculture, construction, logistics or conservation sectors, drones have the ability to lower your costs, increase your productivity and enhance your safety. As technology evolves, so will the regulatory framework, and therefore, the number of UAS applications will continue to grow, enabling businesses to find new and creative ways to improve their operations and compete in a rapidly changing market. Businesses who are able to effectively integrate drones into their operations will be more productive and successful than those that do not.