Did you know that drones are making their way into more commercial applications than before? Read on to know what’s new in drone driven IoT.

Drones are being used by the world’s military forces for more than a decade now. Today, with the advancement of smartphone technology, it has become easier to produce and control drones. Drones can use most of the capabilities of a smartphone application processor and associated sensors. Smartphones also have the necessary wireless and compute capabilities to connect drones. The Android operating system provides the framework, drivers and toolkits to develop sophisticated features in a drone. They can be used for many commercial applications and could become a critical part of IoT in the near future. The business opportunities and physical risks of drones will attract taxation and regulation in the near future. Manufacturers must develop secure, reliable tools and features.

Major Implications

The standardization of controls and capabilities of drone driven IoT will occur due to industry diffusion, regulation and economics. This is a huge opportunity for drone manufacturers who will naturally start to use similar apps, tools and interfaces.

The market for commercial/ civilian drones is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 19% between 2015 and 2020. The following industries could benefit tremendously from this commercialization of drones:

• Agriculture – Aerial or orthographic surveillance of land to identify and control potential crop threats, such as pests or fungus infestations, will be possible. Soil irregularities, such as water saturation and erosion could be easily found. Moreover, aerial drones could scan fruit for sugar and temperature variables to find potential problems and also identify areas for picking crops at optimal times.
• Mining – Drone driven IoT can be used to survey and audit various aspects of mining operations, including berm erosion, road analysis, subsidence, directing automated ground vehicles and security.
• Construction – Drone driven IoT can be used to survey build sites, monitor operations and progress, provide 3D mapping, inspect construction materials and check security.
• Utilities – Power lines, turbines, towers and dams can be inspected by drone driven IoT. Property surveys, equipment monitoring and security functions can also be performed by drone driven IoT.
• Delivery Services – Drone deliveries could begin as soon as regulations are set and services are available to expand operations.
• Film and Television – Drones are already being used to mount cameras and take aerial shots which were previously possible only by the use of helicopters. Drones have provided a less noisy and vibration free medium in this sector.
• Emergency Services – Drone driven IoT can be used for traffic surveillance and accident assessment. They can also be used to carry equipment, water, relief packages and provide other logistical support functions.

The new players

Tech giants such as Amazon, Google and Facebook already have huge stakes in the drone sector. Amazon started a same day delivery service, called Prime Air, which uses drones for deliveries. Facebook purchased Ascenta, a UK based aerospace company that manufactures solar powered drones. Google also acquired Titan aerospace, a solar powered drone manufacturing company. These companies are potentially looking at using their fleets of high-altitude, solar-powered drones to extend the reach of Internet connectivity across the entire planet.

 Tech entrepreneurs, artists and innovators are also noticing the power of drone technology. Non-profit organizations are using drones to deliver provisions or medical supplies to desperate communities in remote locations. The conservationists are already using drones to monitor animals in the wild so that their natural habitat does not gets disturbed. Private firms are developing drones to assist with disaster relief and search-and-rescue operations.

While still a burgeoning industry, worldwide spending on drones is expected to more than double over the next decade. According to a market study by Teal Group corporation, an aerospace and defense research company, it might be worth around $89 billion by the year 2023.

Drones have come out of that age where they were only being used by military and hobbyists. It is time for the world to realize their potential.

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