Unmanned flying machines or drones are no longer a dream of the future or a thing seen in sci-fi movies. Most of you might have handled or at least seen a drone either in a playground, at a wedding, or elsewhere too.
What are these magical flying birds all about? We know they fly, we know they are useful…but what are they made of and how do they operate? Drones or Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV) are compact flying devices without an on-board pilot which are controlled either from the ground remotely or fly on autopilot with the help of in-built computers.
To fly with great maneuverability, these drones are made of lightweight composite material. The other components of a drone include:
- The fuel source – battery or other type of fuel to power the drone to take off (lithium polymer batteries, electrical power source or hydrogen fuel cells based on the type of UAV and its function)
- Flight control system – Computer-based control using microcontrollers
- Sensors – Mostly the sensors are positioned in the nose region of the drone and include visual, RGB , multispectral, position, movement, distance, target, ultrasonic sensors and collision avoidance sensors. These help in the identification of location, distance evaluation and avoiding collision in flight, and ensures smooth take-off and landing. Sensors like thermal sensors, Lidar are also used for specific functions like mapping the height and thus the growth of crops in fields
- Software – They collate the data collected from the sensors and aid in using this information to controlling the motors and other devices on the UAV to ensure its stability and function.
- LED-based flight indicators – present at the nose and rear end of the drone
- Electronic Speed Controllers to help control the speed and direction of the drone’s motor.
- GPS module
- Receiver
- Cameras
- Accelerometer to measure speed
- Altimeterwhich measures altitude
- The payload – This varies with the type of UAV and its intended purpose. For example, it could be a heavy-duty camera in the case of a drone used in photography, it could be a spraying device if the drone is to be used to spray crops with pesticides, etc.
Applications of Drones:
These drones are used for a wide variety of functions, the list just keeps getting longer with the innovative and creative ideas man is capable of coming up with.
- Geographic mapping and photography especially in inaccessible areas and hard-to-reach terrains. A very recent
example is when a drone filmed the actual eruption of a volcano in Iceland (Crater surfing DJI FPV style!) Who would have imagined this possible if not without this advanced technology of the UAVs. - Border control surveillance – to monitor and defend borders to detect illegal cross-border activities by continual surveillance. Drones could also be used to drop light machinery and other materials to soldiers and troops in remote locations. They help in minimizing losses as well as to speed up time-sensitive missions
Delivery services – Commercial companies could use this technology to deliver their goods in a contactless manner (something of significance in this pandemic lockdown time)- Livestock monitoring – using thermal sensors
- Agriculture – using hyperspectral sensors to identify the crops, monitor their health, water quality, and soil status. Drones are also used to spray pesticides, weedicides on fields without manual labour.
- Recreational – Still photography as well as videos of sports events, weddings, and other functions from various perspectives
- Journalism – aerial photography
- Search and Rescue operations – In collapsed buildings, earthquake areas, and during unfortunate incidents to facilitate faster search and rescue of trapped victims.
- Weather forecasting – to monitor and track the movement trajectories of hurricanes, storms, and tornadoes
- Collecting data and material supply during any disaster management.
This is just the tip of the iceberg and many more novel and never thought before applications of drones are being uncovered.
While the applications are many, misuse of these flying machines can also result in the breaking of law and order in many situations. The governments of various countries have hence enforced strict guidelines for drone users and they need to be very strictly followed to avoid facing legal/military action.
Within these bounds, let us take advantage of this marvel of technology and use it to the fullest.
To read more:
https://www.designboom.com/tag/drone-technology-and-design/
