This paper examines the growing range of applications for quadrotor unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), moving well beyond their original role in territorial surveillance. Drawing on research in aerospace engineering and robotics, the paper discusses how advances in computing and miniaturization have made quadrotors viable for search and rescue missions, indoor and outdoor sports broadcasting, disaster monitoring, environmental surveillance, and commercial delivery. The paper argues that as supporting technologies continue to shrink in size and grow in capability, the practical uses for quadrotors will expand exponentially, fundamentally changing how both civilian and commercial operations are conducted.
There are a number of projects that can now be accomplished by quadrotors. Previously, quadrotors were used to survey the countryside without the added hassle of requiring human intervention. Now, however, there are a number of important and valuable projects in which quadrotors can determine either success or failure. As one recent study determined, "in the last few years, small unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) have been developed for large-scale territorial monitoring" (Capello, Scola, Guglieri, & Quagliotti, 2012, p. 559). Many thought that the quadrotor would be relegated to those duties, and those duties only. However, with the advent of advanced quadrotor technology, the world has opened up to more than just surveillance — especially with the added advantage of internet and computer technology that is now powerful enough and small enough to make quadrotor technology indispensable.
The findings of the Capello et al. study show that "a quadrotor is under development for territorial-monitoring applications and as a flying test bed for different feedback control systems" (p. 570). Consider the opportunity to send out an unmanned quadrotor to gather intelligence and data and relay it back to headquarters in real time — the advantages and possibilities are considerable. Early adoption of quadrotor technology in aerial surveillance established a foundation from which far broader applications have since grown.
Another usage for the quadrotor in civilian operations is search and rescue missions. Since quadrotors are small, comparably inexpensive to purchase and maintain, and capable of providing data on an ongoing basis, they are ideal vehicles to deploy in rough terrain to locate lost or injured individuals. One recent study states that quadrotors are "also used for numerous civilian applications such as search and rescue operations" (Bouktir & Chettibi, 2008, p. 354). Their maneuverability and low cost make them well suited to scenarios where speed and accessibility are critical.
"Camera-equipped UAVs covering live sporting events"
"UAVs used in remote disaster and environmental monitoring"
"Commercial delivery use cases and future outlook"
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