Keywords:
unmanned aerial vehicle, drones, drone features, drone technologies, drone
usage fields
1. Introduction
Although the original translation refers to a flying electromechanical technol-
ogy used to mean “drone,” the term drone is based on a game using the term “Queen
Bee” [1]. The historical development of drones shows that the first vehicle that fits the
definition of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) was the unmanned hot air balloon used
in France in 1783. Since then, drones have continued to be used in intelligence, aerial
surveillance, search and rescue, reconnaissance, and offensive missions as part of
the military Internet of Things (IoT). Drones are widely used in many areas, such as
traffic surveillance, cargo, first aid, agriculture, entertainment, hobby, security, and
surveillance, as they provide many customizable solutions that combine practicality
and speed.
Drones – Various Applications
2
In any case, the low resolution of open-source images provided by satellites, the
expensiveness of high-resolution images, and the dependence of satellite images on
weather conditions create significant problems in the supply and evaluation of images.
Drones fill an important gap as images taken by drones that can fly several meters above
the ground offer advantages such as cloud-based data analysis, allowing manufacturers
to monitor product development and quality continuously, easily, and quickly [2].
Such technological equipment also allows real-time monitoring of the busi-
ness situation in the construction industry, rapid analysis of the excavation area in
the mining industry, precise determination of the excavation to be excavated, and
preliminary preparations. In the energy and infrastructure sector, it is possible to
determine roads, cables, and pipelines and plan accordingly. Aid organizations use
drones to locate camps, plan transportation routes, and monitor work. It allows the
rapid delivery of goods and services and the arrangement of communication infra-
structures to areas with a high density of buildings and people or where there is no
highway transportation.
Drones for transportation fulfill important tasks in delivering medical supplies
and foodstuffs over long distances in emergencies and rapid rescue efforts. Drones are
also used in the logistics industry to detect damage and cracks in the ship structure
and hull, allowing emergency teams such as the fire brigade to intervene in dangerous
areas quickly and safely. We also see drones in measuring the level of wear and tear on
highway routes, security checks in bridges and tunnels and other determinations, and
interior controls of partially damaged buildings in disaster. To provide the communi-
cation needs of different work groups or rescue teams in the field of activity, drones
can be used in communication as well as helping to establish private communication
networks quickly. Although the battery life problem, the biggest obstacle in using
drones, is still a problem in long-distance tasks, it is possible to perform longer func-
tions by changing the battery in short-distance studies. Another important limitation
of unmanned aerial vehicles used today is the need for human supervision to perform
almost all of the tasks described, which are factors that slow down the performance of
the specified functions and the intervention in case of danger.
Many factors are considered depending on the size and flight characteristics of
drones. Among these, the increase in energy cost due to the reduction in size and the dif-
ficulty of hanging in the air can be counted. On the other hand, there is no ideal design
for fixed and rotary wing drones that combines both aerodynamic and propulsion
performance. These include traditional fixed-wing and rotary-wing designs and bio-
inspired designs based on flapping wings. Of course, each of these designs has advan-
tages and disadvantages. For example, fixed-wing aircraft can fly quickly and efficiently
but cannot hover. Rotary-wing designs can hover and are highly maneuverable but have
lower flight efficiency. On the other hand, there is no ideal design for both fixed and
rotary-wing types that provides both aerodynamic and thrust performance [2].
The growth in the use of commercial and personal drones has necessitated many
regulations to prevent accidents and provide drone control in a way that does not pose
a hazard [3]. Although many countries have created UAV regulations, the increasing
use of drones causes rules to change constantly and new rules to be introduced. These
regulations vary between countries and regions. Among these regulations, in the UK,
the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) limits the flight altitude of unmanned aerial vehicles
to 500 feet, drones weighing more than half a kilo. It is important to register it with the
CAA. The agency also states that it is prohibited to fly near airports and an aircraft with
its “Dronecode” that it is mandatory to stay below 400 feet and at least 150 feet away from
buildings and people, and that the drone must be constantly observed during flight [1].
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