Drones, also known as unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), are flying vehicles that do not require a pilot on board. They are controlled remotely or can operate autonomously based on programmed instructions. Drones are widely used in many sectors, including photography, agriculture, logistics, rescue, surveillance, and the military.
Drones
pl.
Type of technology
Description of the technology
Basic elements
- Body: The main structure of the drone that holds all the components.
- Engines and propellers: Responsible for lifting and moving in the air.
- Navigation system: GPS and other location-based systems that enable the drone to navigate accurately.
- Sensors: Sensors, such as cameras, LIDAR, and infrared sensors, that monitor the environment and support autonomous flight.
- Battery: Power source for all drone systems, affecting flight duration.
Industry usage
- Agriculture: Monitoring crop health, assessing soil moisture, and applying pesticides accurately.
- Logistics: Drones are used to deliver goods in hard-to-reach areas.
- Rescue: Searching for missing persons and providing medical supplies in disaster areas.
- Infrastructure inspections: Monitoring the technical condition of bridges, skyscrapers, power grids, and other structures.
- Environmental monitoring: Collecting data on air quality and climate change and monitoring areas at risk.
Importance for the economy
Drones are playing an increasingly important role in many sectors of the economy, enabling the automation of activities that previously required extensive human resources. They reduce lead times in logistics and deliveries, increase productivity in agriculture, and improve security in the military. Thanks to their versatility, drones are also used in sectors such as construction inspections, environmental surveys, and rescue.
Related technologies
Mechanism of action
- Drones are based on a combination of navigation systems, motors, and sensors. The drone is usually controlled remotely by an operator or autonomously based on pre-programmed routes. GPS and LIDAR systems enable the drone to pinpoint its position and avoid obstacles, while advanced sensors collect data, which is processed in real time.
Advantages
- Improved efficiency: Drones enable rapid data collection and task completion in hard-to-reach areas.
- Saving time and resources: Automating operations using drones significantly reduces project execution time.
- Application in harsh conditions: Drones can work in dangerous or inaccessible areas, such as disaster areas.
- Multitasking: With different types of sensors, drones can perform a variety of functions, from monitoring to infrastructure inspection.
- Increasing safety: The use of drones in rescue and monitoring reduces risks to people.
Disadvantages
- Limited autonomy: Despite advanced technology, many drones still require human supervision.
- Cyber threats: Drones can become the target of cyber attacks, which can lead to unauthorised seizure of control over them.
- Limited flight time: Drones are limited by battery capacity, requiring regular charging intervals.
- A threat to privacy: The use of drones in public spaces can raise concerns about privacy and unauthorised recording.
- Risk of collision: The appearance of a large number of drones in the airspace can increase the risk of collisions with other objects.
Implementation of the technology
Required resources
- Drones: Different types of drones tailored to specific tasks, from surveillance drones to delivery drones.
- Sensors and cameras: Various types of sensors, such as cameras, infrared sensors, and LIDAR, for data collection.
- Software: Systems for drone control, mission planning, and analysis of collected data.
- Communication infrastructure: Networks for data transfer between drones and the central control system.
- Power supply: Charging and battery replacement systems that enable drones to operate for long periods of time.
Required competences
- Drone piloting: Ability to remotely control drones or program their autonomous missions.
- UAV systems engineering: Competence in drone design, installation, and maintenance.
- Data analysis: Ability to analyse data collected by drone sensors, such as images or environmental measurements.
- IT infrastructure management: Competence in operating communication systems and processing data from drones.
- Cybersecurity: Knowledge of safeguards against cyber attacks on drone control systems and their infrastructure.
Environmental aspects
- Energy consumption: Drones, especially those powered by electricity, consume energy and their flight time depends on battery capacity.
- IT equipment recycling: Drones consist of advanced electronic systems that require proper recycling at the end of their life.
- Emission reduction: Drones can replace traditional means of transport, helping to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
- Resource optimisation: In agriculture, drones can accurately apply fertilisers and pesticides, reducing the use of chemicals.
- Noise pollution: Intense drone use can lead to noise pollution in some areas.
Legal conditions
- Airspace regulations: Drone flights must be conducted in accordance with national airspace regulations (example: flight restrictions in prohibited zones).
- Data protection: Camera-equipped drones must comply with privacy and data protection laws, such as GDPR (example: recording in public places).
- Flight safety: Drones must meet safety standards to minimise the risk of collisions and other hazards (example: technical certificates for aviation equipment).
- Export regulations: The export of advanced drones may be subject to restrictions and require permits (example: export restrictions on military technology).
- Environmental protection: Drones used for commercial purposes must comply with environmental regulations (example: protecting natural areas from noise).