USE OF DRONES IN EVERYDAY LIFE
A
In the simplest terms, a drone is an unmanned, remote-controlled aircraft. The idea of using drones originated in the 1850s, when they were used in Austria’s war against Italy in the form of balloons filled with bombs. The drone was further developed as a weapon in World War I, this time as radio-controlled airplanes that dropped torpedoes set to explode at specific times. As the technology improved, more of these remote piloted vehicles (RPVS), as they were called back then, were used in World War II. It was during this period that the term “drone” came into use when an American admiral called his remote-controlled aircraft the DH 82B Queen Bee, and a commander adopted the name “drone” to refer to the Queen Bee.
B
In the late 1950s, not wanting to lose pilots in battle, the United States Air Force produced unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), utilizing them in Vietnam to reduce pilot loss rate. The use of these UAVs was overt and recognized by the public. On the other hand, some UAV missions conducted by the US Central Intelligence Agency were clandestine operations. These secret missions increased after the September 11 terror attacks and were used primarily to gather intelligence in Afghanistan, Pakistan, Yemen and Somalia. With advances in technology, drones have played an increasingly larger role in security. For example, unmanned planes such as the Predator can orchestrate attacks by pinpointing targets. The Global Hawk operates almost autonomously and maps out entire regions in great detail. Smaller UAVs such as the Raven can be maneuvered through streets and have been used to locate insurgents and block potential attacks by reporting on their activities.
C
It is no wonder, then, that drones have been associated with war and the fight against terrorism. But they have also recently been linked with the annihilation of wedding parties and caravans of civilians, innocent victims dismembered by a miscalculation or erroneous information. Thus, with respect to the inherent nature of the drone, it would seem incongruous, even monstrous, to consider using it in civilian life. And yet, these vehicles have been used in myriad ways outside of the realm of warfare.
D
Today’s drones can be guided by the GPS of a smartphone, making the drone accessible to everyman. The simplest $500 plane can take pictures and transmit data wirelessly. The smartphone is a mini computer after all, and the inexpensive and highly efficient architecture within the chip that drives the smartphone can also be used in a drone. If one considers the capacities of the smartphone—camera, video, mapping and location, and so on—it becomes clear that today’s drone is nothing more than a flying smartphone. But the drone can be equipped with other machinery to fulfill specific tasks. An examination of the design and functions of drones used in civilian life reveals that this aircraft isn’t always a malevolent instrument. Industry and hobbyists have designed drones that are complex, have diverse practical uses, and cost significantly less than those produced by the military.
E
Who uses drones? The film industry employs remotely-piloted mini helicopters with camera and video platforms so that movie viewers have a bird’s eye view. Agriculturists use drones for crop management, having recourse to the maps the drones produce, to optimise the distribution of inputs such as water and fertilizer, locate plant beds that need sowing, and spot areas where invasive weeds are growing. Parks and wildlife management keep track of endangered species, identify areas where species can safely breed, and locate animals in trouble. The animals wear tiny tags with sensors that record the pulse, and the heartbeat is easily picked up by the drone. Researchers in Antarctica use them to monitor maps of moss beds, which can indicate changes in climate. Germany uses drones to inspect wind turbine blades, since sufficient skilled manpower is lacking, and the job of inspecting the blades is dangerous. Drones are also used to catch illegal immigrants crossing the border and capture cattle rustlers and animal poachers on camera. Transportation departments use them to scan highway and road networks to improve traffic flow. Hospitals and other health services use them to transport medicine, particularly in places that lack roads. In addition, drones can protect civilian life by tracking flash floods before they hit or by directing fire crews to forested areas that are on fire.
F
Drones are clearly capable of accomplishing things that human beings are unable to execute properly, and they do these tasks more quickly. Chris Anderson, the founder of DIY Drones and cofounder of 3D Robotics emphasized that the military created the Internet, but the general public turned it into something useful for themselves. Likewise, the military created the drone, but the general public is now using it for practical purposes, improving the way that society functions.
G
Many, however, cite valid reasons for opposing the civilian, commercial and industrial use of drones. Allowing individuals access to drones also means giving the terrorist the right to purchase or produce them. Although there are existing laws that govern any type of aircraft, the capabilities of UAVs, e.g. surveillance, necessitate an overhaul of these laws. Moreover, the size of the drone—some so small they can be held in the palm of one’s hand—can, in inexperienced hands, result in injury or death to others. This is the reason some countries are in a hurry to establish laws governing the use of drones in a civilian setting. In the United States, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is expected to come up with new regulations by September, 2015.