Unmanned aerial vehicles, or drones, present opportunities for
forward-thinking businesses, but at the moment, tight restrictions apply
to their usage. In the UK, drones cannot be flown within 150 metres of a
congested area, or within 50 metres of a person or vehicle not under the
control of the pilot. Drones over the weight of 20kg, or involved in
commercial use must be registered with the Civil Aviation Authority.
Keeping this in mind, what industries could benefit from UAVs?
Surveying
Drones are perfect for surveying work, as they provide a birds-eye view
without the need to an expensive piloted-aircraft. They can be flown
over potentially dangerous sites, without risking a human life. As well
as video and photography, drones fitted with sensors can detect sound
and heat information.
Using drones, surveyors can provide services such as identifying
property boundaries, subdividing land, and surveying potential
construction sites. A well-equipped drone can survey a much greater land
area in a shorter time period than a surveyor on foot.
Farming
Drones are increasingly used in agriculture to water crops, plant seeds
and spray pesticides in a much more efficient and safe fashion than
ground based methods.
Monitoring crop development over a large area is much easier with an
unmanned aerial vehicle. Previously, this required an expensive
satellite photo. Drones can spot plants in need of irrigation, crop
diseases taking over an area, and provide soil analysis.
Delivery
Potentially, delivery by drone could drastically reduce overheads,
allowing for cheaper, faster deliveries. But regulation prohibits drones
operating in highly populated areas. In the future, we may well these
laws loosened for people living in remote areas, and emergencies such as
medicine deliveries to critically ill patients.
Test deliveries have been made by firms like Amazon, but the noise and
security concerns of the general public may keep this freight method on
the ground, more so than any technological limitations.
Security
A step-up from static security cameras, security drones can be
programmed to identify and track intruders based on heat and movement.
Authorities can be alerted, and an image can be taken of the intruders
for future legal proceedings. All without exposing a human guard to risk.
If you’re interested providing efficient service to customers using a powerful, cloud-based business process management system, get in touch with us today, for a free, no-obligation demonstration.