The industry of drone technology is growing faster as more and more companies have started to manufacture these flying robots. You can now find them being sold in many retail outlets, so it will not be hard for anyone to find where to buy drones. The FAA estimated that more than 2 million drones would be registered in the US by the end of 2019. This number is expected to double in the next year.
While more people are discovering the vast potential of this technology, several myths keep originating against the use of drones.
Like any technology, drones have their own advantages and disadvantages. Here’s a short list of the pros and cons of drones:
PROS
1. Useful
Drones take us to the awesome side of the technology. Just Google the uses of drones and you will see millions of search results leading you to pages with their own lists of the applications of drones. These flying wonders have provided easier ways to do things in a shorter period of time.
The tasks of the law enforcement and security forces such as the military and the police, as well as the media and journalism sector, are greatly alleviated with the use of drones. Environmentalists, farmers, engineers, geographical analysts, and real estate specialists also benefit from this technology. In the coming years, more applications will surely be discovered. Just imagine what features and capabilities top rated drones in the future would have. These flying wonders truly have revolutionized the way people do business and carry out tasks.
2. Cheap, efficient and easy to deploy
Unmanned vehicles save money by cutting out expenses for manpower and fuel. Because drones can provide an accurate view of a hard-to-reach area, it is a great tool for surveillance and search and rescue operations without allotting too much cost. It is also a cheaper and more convenient alternative to helicopters because it is easier to fly despite having the capacity to do the same job.
3. Great for photography and motion pictures
Drones can help us capture cool and stunning imagery worth a bunch of likes in social media. Professional photographers can boost their businesses by investing in camera drones. Small-time filmmakers can also increase their production value with awesome aerial shots using the best drones, which were only done before by studio-backed creatives.
4. Fun to use
Once you got the hang of it, piloting drones is obviously an enjoyable experience. You can even level-up your fun time as a drone pilot through air-racing.
5. Potential to create jobs
Several indirect and direct job openings have opened up because of drones. The industry currently employs accessory manufacturers, designers, engineers, developers, and software specialists. These positions wouldn’t have existed if drones weren’t introduced to the world. Careers such as vlogging have also experienced a boost courtesy of drone technologies.
The potential of drones can also be seen in the delivery industry. Amazon is promoting the proposed Prime Air services, where a drone delivers a package within 30 minutes at the customer’s doorstep. As drone penetration rises, it could transform the transport services industry and cause delivery prices to decline.
6. No Fixed Hours of Service
Because drones are unmanned, they can function with no fatigue. Fly them as long as you want, and they’ll never complain about the hours you put them to use. The best drones also have great accuracy when they’re flying at high altitudes, which reduces potential harm that may have affected buildings and other people.
Drones can shoot high-quality Aerial recordings and gather loads of data without feeling tired. Users can leverage this data to build 3D maps and more accurate models that may have critical functions. For example, they can do 3D mapping of disaster truck geographies to help rescue teams to be better aware of hazardous zones before they take the leap.
CONS
1. Invasion of privacy
Privacy is probably the number one issue linked to the use of drones. Because operators could be able to probe around and use their drone to trespass your property, it can be frightening and distressing. People can spy to gather information without you even noticing it.
Paparazzi agencies have also started investing in hi-tech drones to spy over popular personalities. Now there is technology that can alert you if a drone is hovering over your property, but many people aren’t aware of deploying it.
2. Accidents
Even with itself, drones are prone to accidents. Without proper training and knowledge about flying a drone, you can crash your gadget that might destroy something or hit someone. There have been reported incidences wherein drones flown near airports posed serious risks of collision and drone crashes caused injuries to humans below.
3. Legal issues
The Federal Aviation Administration has set rules associated with the professional and private use of remote-controlled aircraft, but there are still some gray areas that remain unsettled. The government has provided general guidelines on where and how to fly legally, but additional restrictions may apply and may vary from place to place.
4. Potential misuse
The accessibility and convenience of drones attracted not only tech geeks and hobbyists, but also people with illegal motives. Terrorists and criminals have found ways to use drones for their malicious interests.
5. Injuries
With good or bad intentions, rogue drones can injure people like during an Australian sports event a drone charged into the crowd. There have also been cases of drones carrying radioactive material for people carrying illicit activities. If not regulated, this technology can further the means of wrongdoers pretty easily.
Popular street artist set the wrong trends when he attached a spray paint can to a drone to mock a Calvin Klein street ad. This sets precedence for others to use this technology in destroying public and private properties. Since drones are remote-controlled, the perpetrators can perform these acts while sitting at a safe distance.
6. Threat to airports
With drones becoming a household technology, airports around the worlds face threats. These are not isolated accidents reported by some, but large scale disruptions that keep affecting at least 20 flights a month. If a drone collides into a plane, the end result would only be disastrous or fatal.
Conclusion
Just like every other technological advancement witnessed by humankind, drones also come across as a blessing while being a threat. It is up to us to create a regulatory mechanism that can keep misuse at bay. Many states are now passing laws regarding drone use and misusing this technology can land a person into jail. If used for good purposes, drones can help us reach places never seen before.