ANNAI VAILANKANNI COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING

Department of AI&DS

CRA332-DRONE TECHNOLOGIES
UNIT-IV
DRONE COMMERCIAL APPLICATIONS
Choosing a drone based on the application:

Factors to Consider When Choosing a Drone

 Payload. A drone's payload refers to how much weight it can carry,

such as for additional equipment. ...
 Endurance. Drone endurance is how long a drone's battery will last,
which dictates its flight time. ...
 Features. ...
 Altitude. ...
 Camera. ...
 Portability. ...
 Software. ...
 Conditions.
How to choose the right drone for your specific application

What do you look for in a drone? Essentially, you look for these 3 things.

1. Drone-Solution fit - This is where you know the drone would be the right
fit to your specific industrial or defence/security scenario.
2. Endurance - The drones should be durable, reliable, available, manageable,
and portable.
1. Durability means that the drones would continue to function well in
multiple scenarios, across terrains and through adverse conditions.

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2. Reliable means that the drones would produce consistently accurate
results over time, across locations and scenarios.
3. Available means that the drones would be operational and functional
for almost the entirety of their usage with little or no downtime.
4. Manageable means that the drones are extremely user-friendly and
easy to handle through a controller or even remotely through an app
(ideaForge's BlueFire Live!)
5. Portable (w.r.t drones) means that the drones can be carried anywhere
in, perhaps, a single bag and deployed from the spot by an operator
from even a small area.
3. Application results and KPIs - The drones should produce accurate results
every time they are sent out and perform well across key performance
indicators (KPIs).
1. Accuracy - The drones should produce highly accurate results in quick
time (creating a clear advantage over alternative surveying, mapping
and surveillance options).
2. Stability - The drones should be able to conduct stable surveillance
and surveying. Even though this is essentially a part of endurance, the
stability factor is a pivotal aspect for the quality of the final results.
The drones should be able to stay still (hover at a single spot) to
conduct close asset inspections or survey across automated waypoints
(patrolling pathway).
3. Replicability - The drone results should be readily replicable (with the
same accuracy standards) across scenarios, terrain and applications.

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What are the types of drones/UAVs?

The broad classification or types of drones (also referred to as Remotely Piloted

Aircraft - RPAs) are as follows:

Categor Maximum Take-off Weight (MTOW)

y

Nano <= 250 gms

Micro > 250 gms and <= 2 kg

Small > 2 kg and <= 25 kg

Medium > 25 kg and <= 150 kg

Large > 150 kg

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) follows this broad

categorization method. Let's jump back to the applications discussed earlier and
connect them to the drones. Which of the drones listed above would you need?
You are thinking of Micro, Mini or Small drones if you require them to:

 Survey and map your oil or mining block, construction site, plant location,
etc.
 Build a Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) for your
(agricultural) fields
 Create situational awareness with live surveillance information to secure
your plant, power lines, railway tracks, project sites, or crowd gatherings

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 Conduct detailed asset inspections for timely and safe maintenance
 Generate awareness through direct information dispersal across large areas
(through megaphone-carrying drones), and more

 Rechargeable batteries involve a fire risk, mainly when they are damaged or
a short circuit happens. Another risk of batteries is that the fire caused by
them can’t be extinguished with water. Fire risk analysis is done by
analyzing the equipment components, searching for information on
problematic components, and determining which components must be tested
in destructive tests. Sometimes drones can attack or threaten people, for
example, by dropping payloads in crowds, flying near planes during their
takeoffs or landings, transporting illegal cargo, etc.

Drones in the insurance sector

In the insurance sector, drones are mainly used to map and survey insured
areas, helping to assess damages and document incidents. They provide insurers
with priceless information, facilitating better decision-making processes and
simplifying claims processing. The most important roles drones play in the
insurance sector include:
Preventing claims from happening

Drones are perfect tools when it comes to risk management. Their ability to
collect appropriate data and reach any place in no time make them invaluable in
preventive maintenance and better allocation of resources.

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Assessing risk

In claims processing, drones play a vital role when it comes to

understanding the reasons why certain events happened (for example a fire) and
spotting the damaged area (for example after a hurricane). They verify the scale of
the damage; they also take high-resolution pictures allowing humans to assess the
actual loss and process insurance claims faster.

Inspecting property

Drones are used extensively for inspecting land that is to be insured. They
allow for quick access to places that are very large or geographically remote,
making insuring those properties much easier.

Inspecting roofs

Another interesting way of using drones for inspection is inspecting roofs.

Before insurers started using UAVs, such an activity has always been linked with
an increased risk for all humans involved because the roof had to be physically
accessed by ladder or similar. Drones address that issue, making roof inspections
easy,quick and remote.

Fraud monitoring

An effective drone application is fraud monitoring, checking the validity of

certain claims by verifying photos taken by a drone before and after a reported
incident. Such a use of drones makes fraud monitoring more proactive and
efficient.
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Drones in delivering mail, parcels and other cargo

Drone delivery means using a flying drone to deliver a package to the

intended palace. For instance, in the healthcare industry, it can deliver
essential medicine in the building in less time at a critical time. A small or
medium-sized drone can be used for delivering packages, like organs by
maintaining a consistent altitude.

Benefits of Drone Delivery

Faster delivery
Using drones enables faster delivery than the traditional ground or air
method. Retailers can fulfill the growing demands of customers through
faster order fulfillment. Last-minute delivery has increased significantly in
the past few years, and drone delivery can ensure hassle-free last-minute
delivery. This can help customers to meet the growing expectations.

Enhanced Efficiency
Drone delivery can help businesses to increase efficiency across
various applications. It can help retailers, healthcare providers, and others
deliver the items in less time. For instance, a retailer can face traffic and
other logistic challenges. On the other hand, choosing the drone allows them
to deliver items in very little time by optimizing the efficient delivery route.

Cost Saving
Using drone technology to deliver something can be very beneficial in
the long run. However, it is essential to understand that there might be some
initial investment. Still, it will eliminate the labor cost and help reach the
intended destination without a break.

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Increased Accessibility
Drones can easily reach hard-to-access locations where traditional
delivery vehicles might struggle. Moreover, delivery drones can be very
beneficial in supplying aid in the impacted area in unforeseen events.

Reduced Environmental Impact

It can also reduce the environmental impact caused by fossil fuels
compared to the traditional delivery methods. Drones rely on batteries that
release fewer emissions than the traditional method, making them the best
choice for last-mile delivery.

Application

Healthcare delivery
In the past few years, the healthcare industry has also incorporated
drones to transport medical supplies, such as blood, vaccines, and organs for
transplant. Recently, lungs delivered by drone helped an Ontario man's life.
One such example of blood delivery in Rwanda helps to save lives during an
emergency.

Additionally, during the COVID-19 pandemic, drone delivery is also

used to deliver protective equipment and vaccines in the United States,
Ghana, and Israel. Drone delivery can be very beneficial for transporting
medical aid in remote and hard-to-reach areas. It can be very beneficial when
the matter is between life and death.

Food delivery
Drones can play a pivotal role in the rapidly evolving world of food
delivery, such as frozen beverages, tacos, and pizzas. However, delivery

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drones will utilize the smartphone app. Drones can transport food quickly
and efficiently despite the obstacles provided by traffic and infrastructure
constraints. They are a quick and easy way to distribute meals, meet the
needs of urban populations, and fit in with their fast-paced lifestyles.

Postal delivery

Last-Mile Delivery
By streamlining the final portion of the delivery route, drones provide
effective last-mile services that enhance postal services' overall operational
efficacy. Drones meet the increasing demand for quick and dependable last-
mile deliveries brought on by the growth of e-commerce and increased parcel
delivery.

Rural and Remote Areas

By expanding postal services' reach to isolated rural locations with
perhaps limited traditional infrastructure, drones promote mail delivery
inclusion while making locals' lives easier. Drones are a technical bridge to
bridge the connectivity divide, guaranteeing that postal services are
accessible to even the most remote regions.

Package Tracking and Security

Drones with sophisticated tracking systems improve package security
while they're in transit by lowering the possibility of theft or loss and giving
clients real-time updates on the progress of their deliveries. Customers feel
more confident when robust tracking and security measures are in place,
which enhances user satisfaction and fosters trust in drone-based postal
delivery services.

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Drones in agriculture

India is primarily an agrarian economy. Agriculture remains the chief source

of income for the majority of the rural households. India’s economy is also heavily
dependent on the agricultural produce that constitutes a major portion of its exports
as well.

Drones are unscrewed aerial vehicles (also known as UAVs), which are used
for surveillance in various industries. Till now, they were primarily used by
companies working in industrial sectors such as mining and construction, army,
and hobbyists.

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But now, drone technology is increasingly available for use in various sectors of
agriculture as well. Though the technology is still nascent in India, many
companies are trying so that it is easily available to Indian farmers and ready to be
used to increase efficiency in agricultural production.

Advantages of Using Drones in Agriculture

The use of drone technology in agriculture is here to stay.

According to recent research, the global drone market within agriculture would
grow at 35.9% CAGR and reach $5.7 billion by 2025.

The use of drone technology in agriculture is here to stay. This emerging

technology can help reduce time and increase the efficiencies of the farmers. The
use of drones in the agricultural sector is only expected to rise as the industry
matures, and so it is good to know how to use this technology judiciously.

Soil and field analysis

For efficient field planning, agricultural drones can be used for soil and field
analysis. They can be used to mount sensors to evaluate moisture content in the
soil, terrain conditions, soil conditions, soil erosion, nutrients content, and fertility
of the soil.

Crop monitoring

Crop surveillance is the supervision of crop progress from the time seeds are
sown to the time for harvest. This includes providing fertilizers at the right time,
checking for pest attack, and monitoring the effect of weather conditions. Crop
surveillance is the only way that a farmer can ensure a timely harvest, especially
when dealing with seasonal crops.

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Any errors at this stage can result in crop failure. Crop surveillance helps in
understanding and planning for the next farming season. Drones can help in
effective crop surveillance by inspecting the field with infrared cameras and based
on their real-time information, farmers can take active measures to improve the
condition of plants in the field.

Plantation

Drones can help in planting trees and crops, which was done by farmers
before. This technology will not only save labor but also help in saving fuels.
Soon, it is expected that budget-friendly drones will be used instead of huge
tractors, as they emit harmful gases and pollute the environment in the process.

Livestock management

Drones can be used to monitor and manage huge livestock as their sensors
have high-resolution infrared cameras, which can detect a sick animal and swiftly
take actions accordingly. So, the impact of drones on precision dairy farming is
soon to become a new normal.

Crop spraying

Agri-drones can be used to spray chemicals as they have reservoirs, which

can be filled with fertilizers and pesticides for spraying on crops in very little time,
as compared to traditional methods. Thus, drone technology can usher in a new era
for precision agriculture.

Check crop health

Farming is a large-scale activity that takes place over acres of land. Constant
surveys are necessary to monitor the health of the soil and the crop that has been

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planted. Manually, this may take days, and even then, there is space for human
error. Drones can do the same job in a matter of hours. With infrared mapping,
drones can gather information about both the health of the soil and the crop.

Avoid overuse of chemicals

Drones can prove to be especially effective in reducing the overuse of

pesticides, insecticides, and other chemicals. These chemicals indeed help to
protect the crop. But, their overuse can prove to be detrimental. Drones can detect
minute signs of pest attacks, and provide accurate data regarding the degree and
range of the attack. This can help farmers calculate the required amount of
chemicals to be used that would only protect the crops rather than harming them.

Prepare for weather glitches

Weather conditions can prove to be a farmer’s best friend and worst enemy.
Since these cannot be accurately predicted, it becomes extremely difficult to
prepare for any shift in patterns. Drones can be used to detect upcoming weather
conditions. Storm drones are already being used to make better predictions. And
this information can be used by farmers to be better prepared. Advance notice of
storms or lack of rain can be used to plan the crop to be planted that would be best
suited to the season, and how to take care of planted crops at a later stage

Monitor growth

Even when everything is going according to plan, crops need to be surveyed

and monitored to ensure that the right amount of yield will be available at the time
of harvest. It is also important for future planning, whether it is about determining
the right price for the open market, or harvesting cyclical crops. Drones can
provide accurate data about every stage of crop growth, and report any variations

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before they become a crisis. Multispectral images can also provide accurate
information about subtle differences between healthy and unhealthy crops that may
be missed by the naked eye. For example, stressed crops will reflect less near-
infrared light as compared to healthy crops. This difference cannot be detected by
the human eye always. But drones can provide this information in the early stages

Geo fencing

The thermal cameras installed over drones can easily detect animals or
human beings. So, drones can guard the fields from external damage caused by
animals, especially at night.

Benefits of agri-drones

 Security
The drones are operated by trained drone pilots. So, there are no chances of
their misuse.
 High efficiency
Drones do not have any operational delays and can work double the speed of
human labor.
 Water-saving
In comparison to traditional spraying methods, agricultural drones use ultra-
low volume (ULV) spraying technology, thus saving more water.
 Low cost and easy to maintain
Agri drones are sturdy, low in cost, and require minimum maintenance.
Some of the key features include a detachable container, low-cost frame,
precise spraying of pesticides.

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Department of AI&DS
Limitations of agri drones

 Connectivity issue
Often, online coverage is unavailable in rural areas. Under such
circumstances, a farmer needs to invest in internet connectivity, which can
turn into a recurring expense.
 Weather dependent
Drones do not have any operational delays and can work double the speed of
human labor.
 Weather dependent
Drones are heavily dependent on good weather conditions. Under rainy or
windy weather conditions, it is not advisable to fly drones.
 Knowledge and Skill
Using new technology is a welcoming change but using it daily requires the
right skill set and adequate knowledge. An average farmer may struggle to
understand drone functions. Either he must acquire the knowledge or remain
dependent on an experienced person.

Drones in inspection of transmission lines and power distribution

For many utilities, power line inspections still take place on foot. This
method of inspection is very time-consuming, given that there are over a million
local distribution lines. Using the human eye to collect visual data can take 1 year
or more, even with a team of hundreds of people working constantly and are prone
to human error.

The job is dangerous since it requires inspectors to get a close look at

everything they need, including binoculars, rope access (climbing and rappelling),

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scaffolding, and cranes. When inspectors stand on scaffolding or cranes, they are
exposed to the elements, which can occasionally exacerbate the risk of a fall.

Forward-thinking grid operators use manned helicopters equipped with high-

resolution cameras for data collection. However, this is too expensive and difficult
to scale up. The average contract cost of a helicopter power line inspection is
statistically more than $4,000 per day, not counting the high maintenance costs.

Benefits of using drones for power line inspection

Drones are an attractive alternative for power line inspection. Here are the potential
benefits of using a drone:

Increased safety
Traditional power line inspections require inspectors to stand on scaffolding
and cranes and use rope access to climb on poles. Drone surveying for the power
grid eliminates the need to put people in harm's way, and line workers can safely
remain on the ground while the drone operator assesses the line.

Reduced work time and labor costs

Traditional methods require a team of experienced linemen to visually
inspect all lines in an area to evaluate the lines for any damage or potential
problems. Drone inspection reduces man-hours and labor costs by automating
inspections with low maintenance costs, saving approximately 30 to 50% of money
and time.

Access to hard-to-reach areas

Drones are used to monitor vegetation encroachment along power lines,
especially in hard-to-reach areas. Capable of navigating between dense trees, as
well as taking off and landing in tight places.
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More accurate data
Drones make it easy to fly along power lines and then take high-quality
video and pictures, and inspectors are able to collect better, more detailed data than
they would be using traditional methods.

Reduced complexity
Drones reduce the number of personnel and ancillary equipment that must be
on-site to conduct inspections, significantly reducing the overall complexity of the
project.

How drones are used in power line inspection?

A drone is so versatile, that it can be used to inspect power lines and power
pylons for bird's nests, lightning strikes, rust/corrosion, and damaged bolts.

Vegetation management
Determine the distance of vegetation from power lines. This information can
then be used to create a plan for which vegetation needs to be cut immediately so
as not to interfere with the use of the lines.

Powerline corridors inspection

Drones conduct frequent, on-demand inspections to monitor the safety,
reliability, and integrity of wires to improve efficiency and eliminate risk.

Fault inspection
Use drones to capture the status of the grid from multiple angles to reveal
any faults or defects and address them in a timely manner.

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Department of AI&DS
Wildfire inspection
Use drones equipped with radiant heat sensors to obtain real-time
temperature readings of power lines to immediately identify anomalies and avoid
the risk of wildfires. At the same time, drone surveillance can monitor damage to
power lines from hill fires caused by natural disasters, ensuring the safe operation
of the power grid.

Drones in filming and panoramic picturing

Drones equipped with 360-degree cameras can capture immersive footage
for virtual reality experiences, transporting audiences to locations and perspectives
that were previously unattainable. This technology holds immense potential for
documentary film productions and educational content. Thousands of
photographers and cinematographers have fallen in love with the new technologies
of unmanned aerial systems (UAS) and drones. Drones are revolutionizing film
and television, news, and real estate photography. They provide endless new
opportunities to capture high-quality photos and video, including angles that were
previously impossible or simply incredibly difficult to attain. Even better, it’s all
doable at prices that you can confidently work into your budget.
Why are Photographers and Cinematographers Using Drones?

When it comes to capturing aerial photographs and B-roll for filmmaking, drones
offer a ton of benefits. They’re way easier to use and set up compared to crane shots and
they’re far less expensive than hiring a helicopter-based camera crew. This is why some
folks believe that drone photographers and videographers are the way of the future.

Let’s take a look at how professional drone pilots are bringing new opportunities to the
photo and film table.

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 Drones provide new aerial perspectives, enhancing visual experience and
capturing new vantage points of the world.

 Camera cranes, steadicams and camera tracks all have specific physical
constraints.

 Drones can replace land-based equipment — including jibs, dollies, and even
cranes and Russian Arms — to capture shots.

 Drones today have “smart” features that make them safer and more stable to
operate, including Vision Positioning Systems (VPS) and Obstacle avoidance
sensors.

 3-axis drone gimbals stabilize along the yaw, pitch and roll – and they’re
available in all shapes and sizes.

 Drones are small, easy to maneuver and far more affordable than manned
aircraft.
How are Drones Being Used by Photographers and Cinematographers?

If you’ve never considered incorporating a bird’s-eye view into your client

offerings, you may wonder how to introduce aerial photos and footage into your
workflow. No matter what type of photography or videography you do, from high-
end weddings to real estate listings, drone photos and film can expand your
creative horizons.

 Movies and Film: From new camera angles to full-speed chase scenes, flights
over water or in-between trees, the sky is the limit for cinematographers on film
sets.

 Real Estate Photography: Real estate agents are able to sell properties more
effectively by utilizing drone photography and video, as aerial photography is
quickly becoming the standard in effectively marketed real estate listings.
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 Wedding Photography: Drones allow videographers to capture sweeping
footage from overhead, creating an extremely dramatic effect for wedding
videos.

 Advertising: Drones provide markets with the ability to capture images or

display ads that are otherwise costly or difficult to obtain.

 News: Many news organizations use helicopters or planes which have higher
costs and require people on-site to operate. Additionally, if a journalist is
covering conflict or natural disaster, drones can remove people from that
danger while still covering the story.

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