Drones are a revolutionary technology with a wide range of applications, including military, agriculture, filming, and delivery. However, they can also pose security concerns and safety incidents, making regulation and accountability important.
In recent years, we’ve been seeing more and more coverage of drones or unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) on TV and in other media. When drones first appeared on the scene, the perception was that the technology would only be used for military purposes or in certain industries, but now drones have penetrated into our daily lives and have a wide range of applications, including agriculture, delivery, filming, and even hobbies. Many of the world’s most powerful nations have taken the lead in drone development, and drones are now a familiar sight in our neighborhoods. To keep up with this trend, many countries have established legal frameworks for drone operations, which has led to their widespread use. Let’s take a closer look at what this new technology is and why it’s attracting so much attention.
First, let’s take a look at what a drone is. A drone is an unmanned aerial vehicle, a mechanical device that is remotely controlled to fly over targets and perform various missions without a human on board. Drones are basically composed of motors, GPS units, and flight controllers, and thanks to these components, they can be built in a wide variety of shapes and perform a variety of functions depending on their purpose. These characteristics have greatly expanded their applications, making them an essential tool in a wide range of industries and fields.
Drones can be categorized into three main types based on how they operate. The first is the rotary-wing drone, which is the type you’re most likely to see around you. They fly using the force generated by the rotation of propellers mounted on a rotating shaft, and can be categorized into tricopters, quadcopters, and others depending on the number of propellers. The advantages of this type of drone are that it can take off and land vertically, change direction freely, and hover in the air, but the disadvantages are that it cannot fly at high altitudes, has a relatively low speed, and has a short flight time.
Secondly, there are fixed-wing drones. These are the ones that fly with wings fixed to the fuselage, similar to the airplanes we’re used to seeing. Fixed-wing drones are mainly used for military purposes, and their advantages include long flight time, high altitude, and high speed. On the other hand, their disadvantages include the need for a large space for takeoff and landing and the need to maintain a constant speed.
The third option is the tilt rotor. This method utilizes the characteristics of both fixed and rotary wings by mounting propellers on the tips of the wings. The advantages are long flight time, high speed, high altitude, low noise, and vertical takeoff and landing. Disadvantages include complex propulsion systems, high cost, and low payload. In particular, propulsion systems that combine fixed and rotary wings are difficult to commercialize due to their complexity, making them a rare sight.
These different types of drones have different advantages and disadvantages, and the best one is chosen depending on the application. Drones are already playing a big role in the military. As unmanned aerial vehicles that can gather intelligence on the enemy and deliver precision strikes on targets, drones have become an important strategic asset that can change the course of a war. The MQ-1 Predator is a prime example, and great powers like the United States have long recognized the military potential of drones and have actively deployed them.
Drones are not limited to military applications. They are used in agriculture to spray pesticides and check crop health, on construction sites to monitor construction progress, in videography to create unique visuals for movies and commercials, and in telecommunications to relay signals. Companies like Amazon are experimenting with package delivery services using drones, and drones are also becoming increasingly useful for delivering relief supplies, emergency rescue, and monitoring disaster sites.
The popularity of DIY drones in particular has made it easier for anyone to build and fly them. Using a microcontroller board such as an Arduino, you can create your own drone by adding features and programming it yourself. Equipped with cameras and various sensors, drones can collect and analyze data in real time, allowing them to perform necessary tasks from the air.
Thanks to these advantages, the drone market continues to grow. However, their advancements have also brought new challenges. Drones have the potential to neutralize traditional security systems, and current laws and regulations are not enough to control them, especially when it comes to issues like trespassing on private property. There is also the potential for drones to be misused for military purposes, creating the need for new security technologies such as anti-drone systems. In fact, on January 27, 2015, a drone approached the White House in the U.S., highlighting the weaknesses of existing security systems. In the wake of this incident, anti-drone systems were developed to block or neutralize drones, and were even used to protect VIPs at the 2017 Davos Forum.
As a new technology, drones can make our lives easier, but they can also cause safety incidents and security issues. Therefore, their use must be regulated and accountable. Drones can range in size from small, palm-sized drones to large, over a meter in diameter, and as the size increases, so does the risk. If a drone crashes, the impact can cause significant damage to the surrounding area, especially in densely populated areas. In ceasefire countries like South Korea, regulations are already tightening, with some areas requiring permits to fly drones.
Taking all of this into account, drones are arguably one of the most innovative and potentially transformative technologies ever developed by humankind. While they open up endless possibilities for us, it’s always important to realize that they also come with responsibilities. The consequences of using drones can vary greatly depending on whether and how they are used, and they can be a double-edged sword. Therefore, when considering the use of drones, it’s important to consider the potential risks and liabilities involved. However, if managed well, drones are a revolutionary tool that anyone can try their hand at, and will open up new opportunities for our society. Why not give drones a try and explore new markets?
