Drones could be the next major tech revolution to sweep the world and these robotic flying machines are now being used for purposes that extend far beyond the secretive realm of the military.
Photographers have lofty dreams of using drones to capture stunning aerial views and Amazon founder Jeff Bezos nabbed headlines when he introduced the idea of using drones to deliver goods to online shoppers. But, over the course of the next decade, these types of drones could make up only a portion of what some predict will become a multibillion-dollar global industry.
In the meantime, here are some surprising ways drones could be used around the world.
Farming
In Japan, helicopter-style drones designed by the Yamaha Motor Company have been reducing labor and operational costs on farms since the early 1990s. The radio-controlled RMAX drones are used to spray crops with fertilizers and pesticides, giving farmers a more affordable alternative to using traditional airplanes.
The unmanned flyers are efficient workers and since they can hover low to the ground, the drones are able to carry out more precise work.
Humanitarian Work
Researchers at the Harvard-MIT Division of Health Sciences and Technology are developing drones that can deliver vaccines and other critical medical supplies to remote locations in the developing world. In January 2014, the project won a $100,000 grant from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.
Matternet Inc., a Silicon Valley-based tech firm, is working on a similar venture to design drones capable of transporting supplies to remote areas that are inaccessible by roads.
Internet Access
In March 2014, social media behemoth Facebook purchased Ascenta, a solar-powered drone company based in the United Kingdom. Mark Zuckerberg, the company’s chief executive, has championed an initiative that aims to extend the reach of Internet connectivity across the entire planet.
Facebook intends to use the high-altitude flyers as part of a network of linked satellites, drones and lasers that can beam Internet to remote communities from the sky.
In April 2014, Google purchased its own solar-powered drone company: Titan Aerospace. The company designs ultra-lightweight, solar-powered planes that fly high above commercial air traffic and can remain aloft for up to five years. While Google has not made its plans public, tech commentators say Titan Aerospace’s drones will likely be used to bring Internet access to parts of the planet without reliable access to the Web.
(Image Source: iCLIPART)
