Remote sensing
Table of Contents
- Drones can carry detection equipment to help with a number of functions. Geological prospecting, agriculture, archeology, and various other industries can benefit greatly from the large number of sensors that can be packed into a drone. These are just a few examples of how the agricultural industry uses air sensors, for example:
- Drones can use Lidar to measure the height of crops. Lidar is a remote sensing technology that measures distance by illuminating an object with a laser (near-infrared or UV) and then measuring what is reflected.
- Heat sensors detect livestock temperature, presence of water, water temperature, and emergency monitoring and response (if someone is injured in a remote field away from heavy equipment).
- Multispectral instruments can count plants (crop density), monitor plant health, and even assess water quality.
- Visual spectrum sensors allow you to map and map the earth.
- Biological sensors can be used to measure air quality and verify the presence of specific microorganisms or organic compounds.
Commercial Aerial Surveillance
- When you hear surveillance, you probably think of security cameras designed to catch lawbreakers. Or possibly spying and monitoring your personal movements and actions. Here are just a few ways aerial surveillance can help:
- Farmers use drones to monitor livestock over vast tracts of land.
- Fire departments can use drones to track and map forest fires.
- Private companies can use drones to monitor their infrastructure, such as pipes, buildings, etc.
- Using drones to inspect power lines, towers, tall structures such as chimneys and roofs would save companies huge amounts of money and reduce exposure to liability for people at risk.
Oil, Gas, and Mineral Exploration
Using specific electromagnetic sensors, drones can be used to collect geological information to help geophysicists better identify and approximate the location and presence of minerals, oil, and natural gas.
Disaster Relief
The sensor environment that can be packed into a drone can be used to locate and save lives in the midst of natural disasters.
Drones can be used to collect and deliver medical samples, supplies, and medicines to remote or inaccessible areas in a disaster area. Drones can also use infrared sensors to detect people by their heat signature, which is useful in search and rescue scenarios.
Real Estate and Construction
Drones have made it possible to study the earth and gather information at workplaces. Real estate agents, developers, and builders have also started using drones to collect video and images for home and building inspections and marketing materials to aid in the sales process.