Drones are small and handy, which is great for travelers. Drones that can be folded up and tucked away in a bag or the trunk of a car have been available since at least 2013. But aside from providing aerial photography to the masses and spooking birds, what are some of the other unexpected uses for drones?
For one thing, they’re great at archaeology. In 2016, researchers used a drone to create a 3-D model of an ancient Roman villa in Switzerland that was buried under crops near Lake Constance. The model allowed them to discover new details about the site. And though it sounds like something out of an episode of CSI, they also plan on using drones to search for human remains in order to determine how people from different cultures lived together over time.
On the entertainment side of things, drones are used by film crews all over the world as well as major American television networks like CBS and NBC for sports coverage—and not just obvious ones like racing where you can get really cool shots from above. They even use drones for American football! Who knew? Well, maybe I’m being unfair; probably lots of people knew that already. Drones have also been used in more surprising areas like journalism (to get live footage from places where it’s too dangerous to send actual journalists), circus acts (China has performers who perform acrobatic tricks while riding on top of drones), and wedding photography (which makes sense because they’re so easy to operate).
Archaeology
As the name implies, a drone is an unmanned aircraft that doesn’t require a pilot. This makes them ideal for use in situations where it would be dangerous or impossible to send humans. Archaeologists have used drones in several ways to survey archaeological sites, including taking aerial photos and videos of the area and using photogrammetry software (which uses aerial photos to create 3D models).
Drones can also be used as part of conservation efforts for threatened sites. They can help with wildlife monitoring by detecting population changes or invasive species. Drones are being used on some marine vessels to monitor the health of coral reefs through high-resolution images taken from above, which allows researchers to see areas that might otherwise go undetected by divers or underwater vehicles.
Motion picture and television production
Drones are ideal for filming scenes that are difficult to get to. The terrain may be inaccessible or dangerous, and a drone is the only way to see the setting. Another example is when it’s necessary to film in tight quarters like an attic or crawlspace because you can’t fit a camera crew there, either.
Drones can also be used to film scenes that would otherwise require putting your actors in danger, such as filming from above during a military operation. For example, “Mission Impossible 5” filmed a helicopter chase scene where Tom Cruise actually climbed onto his own helicopter, but drones were used for views of the chase from above so viewers could clearly see what was happening on screen (and Cruise didn’t have to risk his life).
Real estate photography
If you’re in the business of real estate, drones are a great way to boost your property listings. They can take aerial images from angles that would be difficult or impossible using traditional methods, and they’re much cheaper than hiring a helicopter. If the house has an inaccessible view, such as being on top of a mountain or surrounded by trees, drones can easily get where humans can’t go.
Mapping
You’ve probably seen one of these flying around your neighborhood. If you live in a city, they might even be helping to plan out new road construction or monitoring traffic flow.
Drones can provide an aerial view of areas that are difficult to access by ground, such as tall buildings or mountainous areas. This allows them to explore and map places quickly and cheaply without risking lives. This can be especially useful for businesses that need accurate maps but don’t have the budget for helicopters or airplanes with infrared cameras attached to them (i.e., most businesses).
Emergency services and search-and-rescue operations
Drones can also be used to find missing people, such as hikers who get lost in the wilderness. The drone can be sent out with a camera attached and programmed to search for the subject. If they are found, the drone can drop off food and water at their location.
Drones are also useful for locating people who are trapped in buildings that have been damaged by natural disasters or other manmade accidents. Drones equipped with thermal imaging technology allow rescuers to locate trapped individuals rapidly without having to send people into dangerous environments themselves.
Agriculture
You might have heard about the agricultural uses for drones. Farmers are increasingly using them to monitor crops, spray pesticides and even track livestock. As a result, some of the most exciting drone adventures are happening out in the fields—for example, when farmers use drones to find lost cows or sheep.
But did you know that there’s another way that agriculture is changing thanks to drones? You see, a lot of governments are placing restrictions on pesticides (they can be harmful if used incorrectly) which means farmers have had to get creative with their crop protection strategies. One solution? Using drones instead of humans to monitor water levels so they can target areas where they need more fertilizer or herbicides. This prevents overuse while still providing maximum productivity!
Express delivery
The idea of a drone delivering your packages to the doorstep is already a reality. Amazon has been using drones for deliveries for some time now, and other companies are beginning to follow suit. Drones are efficient, fast, and can deliver packages—whether they be groceries or packages—to hard-to-reach places where it would otherwise take humans hours or days to reach. They are also useful in areas with bad weather conditions that would impede on traditional delivery methods like snow or rain.
Drones have many benefits when it comes to delivery: they’re cheaper than building more roads or improving existing ones; they don’t require any infrastructure besides the initial purchase itself; and they help speed up delivery times by taking pressure off roadways during busy seasons like holidays when people get so many packages in one day that their mailboxes overflow (we’ve all been there).
Drones are small, and can be used for many different things.
Drones are used for archaeology, motion picture and television production, real estate photography and mapping.
Conclusion
From archaeology to agriculture, drones are used in a wide variety of services across the globe. While these machines were once thought to be the next big thing in retail delivery, they turned out to be more useful than expected. With all their uses and features, what’s not to love?