Rapid advancement of scientific technologies and applications has led to further improvement of flight mechanics as well as avionics, leading to the introduction of UAV technology. With the help of Computer Vision, Artificial Intelligence, Deep Learning and Intelligent Automation; modern UAV technology has drastically improved since its older counterparts.
Unmanned Ariel Vehicle, commonly known as UAV, is a type of aircraft which can be controlled from a remote location. UAVs can be controlled either by pilot from a ground control station or by autonomous method with the help of pre-programmed flight plans. They are previously started as an important project for military purposes but now they are widely used for general as well as commercial applications such as monitoring activities and urban planning. At present, they are widely used in agriculture, leisure & commercial video photography, environment monitoring, governance, law enforcement, oil & gas, construction, etc.
UAV Technology in Remote Sensing
UAV Remote Sensing (UAV-RS) technology is widely used in military as well as civil purpose for several applications. This technological solution is mainly used for:
- Real-time assessment
- Large-scale mapping
- Activity monitoring
It is frequently used for accurately mapping those areas encountering landslides, agricultural monitoring and 24/7 surveillance. For example, maintenance of a large cotton field using remotely controlled drones. Traditional methods would include a large number of workers for monitoring activities, but utilizing drones will significantly reduce field patrols along with farming cost and other expenditure.
Demand of UAV-RS has significantly grown in recent times, due to its efficient performance and numerous possibilities. According to the market survey, market size of UAV was estimated as USD 27 billion which will increase to USD 58 billion within 2026. The technology has become immensely popular among defense & security, logistics & transportation, environmental survey, agriculture, etc and will continue to do so in future.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Drones
AI-based solutions play a significant role in autonomous drones; pre-programmed instructions in the form of a code can be implanted within UAVs for automated flight. In this case, AI-fuelled algorithms are constantly feeding precise instructions to aircrafts in terms of flight, launch, landing, directions and aerial view. IoT sensors are used for collecting real-time data related to atmosphere and air currents. In-flight cameras are used for visual details and remote mapping is used for locating destinations. AI also helps in:
- Constant surveillance
- Movement detection
- Visual recording
With the combination of Machine Learning (ML) and onboard image processing, UAVs can successfully conduct object detection as well as tracking. ML algorithms implemented through layered architecture called neural network aids in drones to travel from one location to another. As a result, smart drones are used for:
- Delivery activities (healthcare, food and postal)
- Construction & mining
- Weather forecast
- Inventory management
- Disaster management
Drones are usually developed based on electric motors and electric propulsions, which emits less pollution than fuel engines running on petrol or diesel. This is an important step towards sustainable development and eco-friendly technology that produces quality results without hampering environment. With the influence of modern technological solutions like IoT and AI, UAV will continue to further grow in terms of technological advancements, engineering & design and efficient management in the commercial market.
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