In this blog post, we’ll explore why drones are such a disruptive technology and how they’re impacting our lives. Learn about the possibilities and changes drones can bring to a variety of industries.
Drones, or unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), have become a common sight on TV and other media these days. When drones first appeared on the scene, the perception was that the technology would only be used for military purposes or in certain industries. But now, drones have penetrated into our daily lives and have a wide range of applications, including agriculture, delivery, filming, and even hobbies. Many of the world’s most powerful nations have taken the lead in drone development, and drones are now a common sight in our neighborhoods. To keep up with this trend, many countries have developed legal frameworks for drone operations, which has led to their widespread use. Let’s take a closer look at what this new technology is and why it’s attracting so much attention.
First, let’s take a look at what a drone is. A drone is an unmanned aerial vehicle, a mechanical device that is remotely controlled to fly over targets and perform various missions without a human on board. Drones are basically composed of motors, GPS units, and flight controllers, and thanks to these components, they can be built in a wide variety of shapes and perform a variety of functions depending on their purpose. These characteristics have greatly expanded their applications, making them an essential tool in a wide range of industries and fields.
Drones can be categorized into three main types based on how they operate. The first is the rotary-wing drone, which is the type you’re most likely to see around you. They fly using the force generated by the rotation of propellers mounted on a rotating shaft, and can be categorized into tricopters, quadcopters, and others depending on the number of propellers. The advantages of this type of drone are that it can take off and land vertically, change direction freely, and hover in the air. However, the disadvantages are that it cannot fly at high altitudes, has a relatively low speed, and has a short flight time.
Secondly, there are fixed-wing drones. These are the ones that fly with wings fixed to the fuselage, similar to the airplanes we’re used to seeing. Fixed-wing drones are mainly used for military purposes, and their advantages include long flight time, high altitude, and high speed. On the other hand, their disadvantages include the need for a large space for takeoff and landing and the need to maintain a constant speed.
The third option is the tilt rotor. This method utilizes the characteristics of both fixed and rotary wings by mounting propellers on the tips of the wings. The advantages are long flight time, high speed, high altitude, low noise, and vertical takeoff and landing. Disadvantages include complex propulsion systems, high cost, and low payload. In particular, propulsion systems that combine fixed and rotary wings are difficult to commercialize due to their complexity, making them a rare sight.
All of these different drone types and characteristics have different advantages and disadvantages, and the best one is chosen depending on the application. Drones are already playing a big role in the military. As unmanned aerial vehicles that can gather intelligence on the enemy and deliver precision strikes on targets, drones have become an important strategic asset that can change the course of a war. The MQ-1 Predator is a prime example, and great powers like the United States have long recognized the military potential of drones and have actively deployed them.
Drones are not limited to military applications. In agriculture, they are used to spray pesticides and inspect crops, on construction sites to monitor construction progress, in videography to create unique visuals for movies and commercials, and in telecommunications as relay devices to deliver signals. In addition, companies like Amazon are experimenting with package delivery services using drones, and drones are becoming increasingly useful for delivering relief supplies, emergency rescue, and monitoring disaster sites.
The popularity of DIY drones in particular has made it easier for anyone to build and fly them. Using a microcontroller board such as an Arduino, you can create your own drone by adding features and programming it yourself. Equipped with cameras and various sensors, drones can collect and analyze data in real time, allowing them to perform necessary tasks from the air.
Thanks to their many benefits, the drone market continues to grow. However, their advancements have also brought new challenges. Drones have the potential to overwhelm existing security systems, especially when it comes to trespassing on private property, which is difficult to fully control with current laws and regulations. Additionally, the potential for military misuse has led to the need for new security technologies, such as anti-drone systems.
In fact, on January 27, 2015, a drone approached the White House in the United States, exposing the weaknesses of existing security systems. This led to the development of anti-drone systems that detect and neutralize drones, and they were even used to protect VIPs at the 2017 Davos Forum.
In recent years, security technology has evolved rapidly as drone threats have become more diverse. The war in Ukraine in 2022 saw commercial drones used for reconnaissance and attack, changing the face of the battlefield, and a range of anti-drone technologies were introduced in response, including jammers, laser weapons, and drone capture nets. In 2023, the U.S. government introduced an AI-powered drone detection system to prevent drone intrusions at major airports and military installations, while the United Kingdom and France have also deployed drone defense systems at major events.
In 2024, global regulatory efforts to prevent reckless drone flying will also intensify. The European Union (EU) has introduced a remote identification system that monitors drone flights in real time, and many countries, including South Korea, have tightened drone flight licensing and banned flights outside of designated areas. This is because drones are playing an increasingly important role in the industrial, military, and security sectors, but they also have the potential to cause safety accidents and security threats.
In particular, drones are becoming increasingly diverse in size and use, which can increase the scale of damage in the event of an accident. From small drones as small as the palm of your hand to large drones over a meter in diameter, a crash or collision can cause serious damage. As a result, many countries, including South Korea, have a license system for flying drones, and strict restrictions on flying drones over populated areas and security sensitive areas.
While drones have the potential to be useful in a variety of industries and security applications, they also have the potential to pose new risks. Balancing the advancement of drone technology with security regulations will be an important challenge going forward.
In other words, as drone technology advances, the regulations and security systems to safely utilize it will need to continue to evolve. Striking a balance between technological innovation and increased security will be a major challenge going forward.
Putting all of this together, drones are arguably one of the most innovative and promising technologies that humanity has ever developed. They open up endless possibilities for us, but we must always recognize that they also come with responsibilities. The consequences of using drones can vary greatly depending on whether and how they are used, and they can be a double-edged sword. Therefore, when considering the use of drones, it’s important to consider the potential risks and liabilities involved. However, if managed well, drones are a revolutionary tool that anyone can try their hand at, and will open up new opportunities for our society. Why not give drones a try and explore new markets?
