Photo by Shane McLendon on Unsplash
Science fiction has often depicted advanced technology before it’s applied in real life. Take, for instance, that scene in Back to the Future Part II where a media outlet used a drone to cover the arrest of Griff Tannen, Marty McFly’s nemesis. This critically acclaimed franchise defined sci-fi flicks—the gizmos and gadgets featured were way ahead of their time.
These days, those hi-tech tools are commonplace. Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), more commonly referred to as drones, have become an indispensable tool in many industries. Aside from capturing stunning birds-eye view snapshots and videos, UAVs are used in a myriad of ways (yes, even in news coverage). Here, we list down various drone applications in the Philippines and around the world that are changing the way we see things—literally and figuratively.
Drones for progress monitoring
Construction sites need constant monitoring so that project managers can keep tabs on the progress and make sure everything is up to par according to design plans. This also allows them to readily identify and solve problems that may arise at any given phase.
In extensive construction projects that cover acres of land, drones are used to provide up-to-date progress reports. UAVs also help create topographic maps to note terrain changes over time so that necessary adjustments can be made promptly.
Drones for infrastructure maintenance
Drones come in handy where physical inspection is impossible or potentially unsafe, as with building façades, utility towers, and resorts and amusement parks. In Resorts World Sentosa in Singapore, for example, drones are used in maintaining the rides to make sure they’re safe.
Likewise, the National Stadium in the Lion City also employs drones and artificial intelligence (AI) for inspection—an important task that now takes only three days instead of two weeks.
UAVs can also be used to record historical data to regularly monitor and maintain the condition of critical structures like power lines, bridges, and pipelines. In Copenhagen, drones with thermographic camera were used to detect leakages in underground heating pipes. The aerial machines took 50,000 photos that were then stitched together in a thermal map. HOFOR, the largest utility company in Demark, headed this endeavor and was able to pinpoint 44 areas with probable leakage.
Drones for precision farming
Drones equipped with multispectral sensors can capture information on soil moisture, crop health, and nutrient levels. These data sets are used to create maps that farmers can refer to so they can determine which crops need fertilizers, pesticides, and water. In a study in Northeastern Germany, for instance, UAVs were used to monitor the health of wheat and barley. Data on fresh biomass, leaf area index, plant leaf nitrogen, and plant height were collected.
With the help of multiple sensors, information from drones can also be used to detect crop stressors. Identifying factors that affect crop growth and development, whether they’re related to the environment (like climate change) or other organisms (like pests) enable farmers to prevent irreversible damage.
Drones for urban planning
Keeping tabs on land use patterns, infrastructure, and urban vegetation, among others, allow urban planners to develop cities and townships while optimizing resources. Photos taken by drones are used to create detailed maps that urban planners work with to identify areas for development, transportation, and potential hazards. UAVs are also helpful in monitoring how cities are changing so planners can understand and anticipate future challenges.
A well-planned urban development means residents can enjoy vibrant, sustainable spaces and better quality of life. Businesses thrive in effectively planned cities, and this opens up job opportunities that spur economic growth.
Drones for property assessment and site selection
Postcard-pretty views, leisure amenities, and proximity to commercial hubs, hospitals, and schools—these are selling points of a real estate property. But real estate developers don’t just chance upon these features.
Before construction begins, developers assess a potential site’s topography and accessibility. Topography dictates whether the location is suitable for residential or commercial use. It also determines infrastructure costs and helps identify measures to prevent potential hazards such as landslides. Using UAVs is the best method to do this.
Drones can also help with property assessment by capturing detailed aerial imagery. This is then processed into 3D models that can be used to come up with comprehensive evaluations to speed up decision-making.
Drones for archaeology and cultural heritage preservation
Archaeologists used to rely on traditional ground-based methods to excavate sites, conducting surveys on foot to figure out where to dig. It’s a painstaking and time-consuming process that doesn’t always guarantee success.
These days, it’s now much easier to identify the locations of historical artifacts and even long-buried sites, thanks to LiDAR-equipped drones. Case in point: Archaeologists in Peru used drones to find 50 new Nazca lines that are otherwise barely visible to the naked eye.
These unmanned aircraft are also handy in preservation efforts as they can be used to monitor the conditions of historical structures. They can identify signs of damage and deterioration so that archeological conservators can promptly address such issues.
Drones for disaster management
In the summer of 2017, two of the most destructive storms since Hurricane Katrina wreaked havoc in Texas and Florida in the U.S: Hurricanes Harvey and Irma. Organizations like the Center for Robot-Assisted Search and Rescue (CRASAR) of the Texas A&M University deployed drones to map out the extent of flooding and assess damage.
Drones are also used for search and rescue operations, like that of a 65-year-old man in Beskid Niski, Poland. Aside from having Alzheimer’s disease, the man also had a stroke the day before he went missing. He was located a few hours after launching the SARUAV system, which employs unmanned aerial vehicles and a software designed specifically for search and rescue operations.
Drones for environmental monitoring
Conservationists and environmental organizations, as well as concerned government agencies, need all the help they can get in monitoring and preserving the environment.
Japanese and Filipino scientists from the University of the Philippines-Diliman have used drones to assess the impact of river discharges on submerged aquatic vegetation (SAV). The project, called The Comprehensive Assessment and Conservation of Blue Carbon Ecosystems and their Services in the Coral Triangle (or BlueCARES), is a joint endeavor between the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and the Philippines. It aims to “enable the Philippines to monitor properly these SAVs that had been largely affected by river discharges caused by human activities, unsustainable tourism, and unsustainable aquaculture practices.”
Drones for wildlife conservation and studies
There was a time when scientists in the field had to be content with watching wildlife aboard boats or helicopters, which didn’t allow for up-close observation. These days, organizations like the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) use UAVs to closely study the behavior of animals in the wild.
Drones, along with artificial intelligence and thermal imaging, are also essential in monitoring wildlife. It’s now much easier to detect, classify, and track animals and monitor their habitat and population. Constant monitoring is also crucial in anti-poaching efforts and disease surveillance.
As UAV technology further evolves—think longer flight times, advanced safety controls, and even integration with other technology—we’ll soon witness incredible innovations that can further improve the world we live in.