UAV (UNMANNED AERIAL VEHICLES)

INTRODUCTION

Drones have been around for years and they are used for different purposes and can be of help in numerous occasions. However, these devices have become more popular in recent times and their application increases rapidly in various fields. But first of all let's answer the main question: "What is a drone and how we can define it?"

The word ‘drones' has several different meanings and it origins from old English word darn, which means 'male bee'. Drone is an aircraft that does not have a pilot but is controlled by someone on the ground, used especially for dropping bombs or for surveillance. Drones are more formally known as unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) or unmanned aircraft systems (UASes). Essentially, a drone is a flying robot. The aircrafts may be remotely controlled or can fly autonomously through software-controlled flight plans in their embedded systems working in conjunction with onboard sensors and GPS.

Physics behind the drone: Drones uses rotors for propulsion and control. We can think rotor as a fan. If you observe drone, you will find that each drone consist of four rotors. The spinning blades push the air, down. Of course, all the forces come in pair, which means that as the rotor pushes down on the air, the air pushes up the rotor. This is the basic idea behind lift, which comes down to controlling the upward and downward force. The faster the rotor spins, the greater is the Lift, and vice-versa. For a drone to hover, the net thrust of the four rotors pushing the drone must be equal to the gravitational force pulling it down. For the descending of the drone, the process is exactly opposite: i.e, simply decreasing the rotor thrust (speed) so the net force is downward.    

Uses have included remote sensing for Earth Sciences studies, hyper spectral imaging’s for agriculture monitoring, tracking of severe storms and serving as telecommunications relay platforms.

An agricultural drone is an unmanned aerial vehicle applied to farming in order to help increase crop production and monitor crop growth. Sensors and digital imaging capabilities can give farmers a richer picture of their fields. Thus, these views can assist in assessing crop growth and production. Some of the main applications are given below:

AERIAL PHOTOGRAPHY

Drones are now being used to capture footage that would otherwise require expensive helicopters and cranes. Fast paced action and sci-fi scenes are filmed by aerial drones, thus making cinematography easier. These autonomous flying devices are also used in real estate and sports photography. Furthermore, journalists are considering the use of drones for collecting footage and information in live broadcasts.

SHIPPING AND DELIVERY

Major companies like Amazon, UPS, and DHL are in favor of drone delivery. Drones could save a lot of manpower and shift unnecessary road traffic to the sky. Besides, they can be used over smaller distances to deliver small packages, food, letters, medicines, beverages and the like.

                                 

GEOGRAPHIC MAPPING

Available to amateurs and professionals, drones can acquire very high-resolution data and download imagery in difficult to reach locations like coastlines, mountaintops, and islands. They are also used to create 3D maps and contribute to crowd sourced mapping applications.

DISASTER MANAGEMENT

Drones provide quick means, after a natural or man-made disaster, to gather information and navigate debris and rubble to look for injured victims. Its high definition cameras, sensors, and radars give rescue teams access to a higher field of view, saving the need to spend resources on manned helicopters. Where larger aerial vehicles would prove perilous or inefficient, drones, thanks to their small size, are able to provide a close-up view of areas.

PRECISION AGRICULTURE

Farmers and agriculturists are always looking for cheap and effective methods to regularly monitor their crops. The infrared sensors in drones can be tuned to detect crop health, enabling farmers to react and improve crop conditions locally, with inputs of fertilizer or insecticides. It also improves management and effectuates better yield of the crops. 

SEARCH AND RESCUE

Presence of thermal sensors gives drones night vision and makes them a powerful tool for surveillance. Drones are able to discover the location of lost persons and unfortunate victims, especially in harsh conditions or challenging terrains. Besides locating victims, a drone can drop supplies to unreachable locations in war torn or disaster stricken countries. For example, a drone can be utilized to lower a walkie-talkie, GPS locator, medicines, food supplies, clothes, and water to stranded victims before rescue crews can move them to some  place else.

WEATHER FORECAST

Drones are being developed to monitor dangerous and unpredictable weather. Since they are cheap and unmanned, drones can be sent into hurricanes and tornadoes, so that scientists and weather forecasters acquire new insights into their behavior and trajectory. Its specialized sensors can be used to detail weather parameters, collect data, and prevent mishaps.

WILDLIFE MONITORING

Drones have served as a deterrent to poachers. They provide unprecedented protection to animals, like elephants, rhinos, and big cats, a favorite target for poachers. With its thermal cameras and sensors, drones have the ability to operate during the night. This enables them to monitor and research on wildlife without causing any disturbance and provides insight on their patterns, behavior, and habitat.

LAW ENFORCEMENT

Drones are also used for maintaining the law. They help with the surveillance of large crowds and ensure public safety. They assist in monitoring criminal and illegal activities. In fact, fire investigations, smugglers of migrants, and illegal transportation of drugs via coastlines, are monitored by the border patrol with the help of drones.

SUBMITTED BY:

Thushara R B

Yogini E

Pradeep A

Sahana D

REFERENCES:

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en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Unmanned_aerial_vehicle

https://www.allerin.com