The Benefits Of Drones Application In Different Fields

Imagine a world where soldiers never have to die while fighting on the front lines, the wildfires raging in California are subdued, endangered animals thrive because poachers are caught and prosecuted, and more people are saved daily from natural disasters. Look no further, because today we live in an age where technology exists to make the world a better place. There are endless uses for the application of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). UAVs, more commonly known as drones, are an important advancement that can be replicated and built upon. While drones sometimes are only associated with recreational flight, they can actually save lives.

Today, there are UAVs that are viewed as first responders to many different situations. For one, they are used by police. In 2016, 167 police agencies purchased drones to monitor large areas and survey for crowd control, according to DroneUniversities. com. UAVs are also used to fight wildfires and house fires. These drones use thermal imaging technology, rather than traditional cameras, to determine the strength of a fire and locate trapped civilians. They can even assess the damage to a building post-fire. According to an infographic created by Dronefly, a recent evaluation by Goldman Sachs estimates that the global drone-related firefighting industry is valued at nearly $881 million. In addition to firefighting UAVs, drones have also been applied to search and rescue missions. UAVs aid humans with disaster relief by assessing damage from hazardous chemical spills that would be toxic to humans, use 3-D imaging software to map out natural disasters such as earthquakes and floods, and send supplies like water and food to survivors. First responder drones reduce risk to human first responders, they go where people can’t, and save more people in time-sensitive situations.

Not only do drones protect individuals, they can also defend the country as well. There are drones used by the military overseas. They are used in situations too risky for humans or in places that are difficult to access. Some have precision weapons, used for surveillance, or communication. Many have radar, used for search and rescue, and indicating ground moving targets. This is all done without a pilot aboard. The technology has advanced so much that pilots can command the aircraft as far as 7,000 miles away, aided by air traffic control, airborne controllers, and ground controllers. Besides being used in battle, they can also be used to guard our nation’s borders. Currently, they are used to monitor the border and assist agents on the ground. Highway patrol drones are utilized as well. According to the National Highways System, there are 164,000 miles of highway that constantly require infrastructure monitoring.

Drone technology also helps the environment. Lots of UAVs have been used to collect atmospheric data and conduct environmental research. Global Hawks, used by the military for surveillance, can fly up to 65,000 feet, which is twice the altitude of commercial airliners. These drones, also being used to monitor wildfires, allow scientists to have access to their instruments through a dedicated satellite feed and can view data in real time. Along with earth science, UAVs have been employed to monitor animals in their natural habitats across the world. Drones fly undetected by animals, and monitor their activity and habitats. Besides research, drones have been used by animal conservation agencies to reduce poaching of wildlife. According to the U. N. , due to the illegal ivory trade in Africa, nearly 100 elephants are being killed daily. That number equates to around 35,000 being slaughtered annually. As for lions, approximately two percent of the total population die each year from illegal poaching. With numbers like these, drones are crucial to preserving the lives of endangered animals. In England, drones monitor the activity of hunters, as fox hunting has been illegal there since 2005. Video is recorded on cameras and used as evidence when prosecuting poachers during a trial.

Despite UAVs being used in many ways saving the planet, people, and animals there are still efforts to reduce their activity. The Federal Aviation Administration is constantly updating drone regulations to ensure civilian safety and minimize concerns of the public at large. While laws and rules are necessary, some regard drones as being unsafe as a pilot is not “on board”. In the past, this may have been more of an issue, but technology has advanced to the point where they UAVs their job efficiently and are very rarely unsuccessful. The UAV industry creates jobs for people who design, manufacture, control, and monitor these flying machines with the purpose of building a superior, safer world.