Drone Ideas for the Future: Expert Predictions
The future of drone technology is expansive. Drone technology continuously evolves from its humble roots to what is more commonly known today. It will become more integrated into society as some new drone ideas and uses for this arise.
In this article, we will discuss the present innovations that will further propel the future of drone technology, how these modernizations will improve, and how we utilize crewless aerial vehicles (UAVs) today.
Hydrogen Power
Regarding the future of drone technology, especially in business, beyond the visual line of sight (BVLOS) might be one of the most widely discussed concepts. As its name suggests, the concept of the BVLOS means the drones can operate beyond the line of sight of the drone operator. This will expand the commercial applications of the drones compared to their current utilization. Moreover, this concept will help enterprises using drone technology conduct much more complex operations.
At this point, drone development has made many innovations to prolong flight time. One is using the hydrogen fuel cell as an alternative to the traditional use of lithium-ion polymer batteries. However, their limited flight time is one of the existing challenges for drone technology.
Utilizing the hydrogen fuel cell as a power source is very advantageous and further innovates the future of drone technology.
Motion Planning and Improved Computer Vision
Drones ‘ improved computer vision and motion planning is another innovation that will propel the future of drone technology and its integration into our lives.
Aside from the short flight time, there is another question: How will crewless aerial vehicles (UAVs), such as drones, share the airspace with human-crewed aerial vehicles such as commercial, private, and military airplanes and helicopters?
One core aspect under development is for the drone ideas to recognize and react to their surroundings. In the plan for the future of drone technology, the enterprises want to attain this through AI (Artificial Intelligence) systems applications to enable the drones to operate with genuine autonomy.
The air sense system is a sensor that can receive the signals from planes and helicopters enabled with the automatic dependent surveillance-broadcast (ADS-B). The air traffic controllers also use automatic dependent surveillance-broadcast for real-time precision and situational awareness even without using the radar.
Ability to Rest and Recharge
Rest is not an option for the drone ideas while on the go. But innovations in a drone’s ability to rest can significantly extend its operation time by saving battery power.
There have been related experiments in the recent past in which the experts have used a built-in mechanism that reels in the thread so that it can make it taut enough so that the UAV’s motors can shut off can save power.
Aside from the experimental drone ideas that would enable the UAVs to rest, there are two better-known technologies today: docking stations and tethers. These two already have provided a level of endurance to the operation of a drone.
Drone Ideas for Defense
Military drones have been used by nations far longer than we could have imagined. The defense industry and specialized drone manufacturers have answered to the growing demand for drones with the improved surveillance technology used in reconnaissance and other offensive operations. That is said that the defense budgets to accommodate spending on military drones are expected to rise.
Emergency Response
Along with the innovations in drone technology, camera technology is also improving. This has a significant impact on the current uses of drones. An example can be the ability to provide the emergency response teams with an efficient solution to identifying the victims by outfitting an uncrewed aerial vehicle (UAV) with thermal imaging cameras. This can give the victims a higher chance of survival because it cuts down the time that is taken to locate them.
Disaster Relief and the Humanitarian Aid
Regarding emergency response, drones are also proven helpful in times of natural calamities. The uses of the drones can range from assessing the aftermath damages and locating the victims to delivering aid.
They can even help in disaster prevention by combating and monitoring the progression of forest fires, effectually tracking the weather changes in the disaster-prone areas through mobile tracking. This means that the drones physically go to places with hazardous weather changes to better track the progression.
Disease Control and Healthcare
Aside from tracking the weather changes and even protecting the animals for conservation efforts, drones can be used to track diseases by outfitting with thermal imaging cameras and collating the information gathered from ground surveillance.
In healthcare, access to modern medicine can spell the life and death for some the people, such as those living in more rural regions of the world and a person badly in need of immediate medical attention. Drones can help to solve the issues of time-sensitive cases by making the deliveries themselves.
With these sorts of innovations, whether already in use or still in their development stages, the future of drone technology is very bright. It is only a matter of how we utilize these sorts of modernized drone ideas that will shape the role and the importance of drone technology in our lives and society.
