You might’ve seen the incredible footage on the screensaver for Apple TV, or Amazon, maybe even Google Earth. You get a birdseye view, floating over a gaping chasm, or watching cars travel like ants along a vast highway.
That footage that we are in awe of is taken by drones. These expensive, tiny flying robots can give us the most stunning and expansive views. They are being used more and more in other areas too. You can find drones on building sites, often on TV sets, and now they can even be used for insurance purposes (check out https://www.intellectsoft.net/blog/drones-in-insurance-all-you-need-to-know/, it’s super interesting!).
This unmanned aerial technology is impressive. It’s not just the fact that we lived long enough to see flying robots, but they’re so incredibly made. So let’s talk a little bit more about where you are likely to see drones and what they do – ‘cause they’re cool.
How do Drones Work?
Drones are made of lightweight materials; this means they are super light and can move well. Consider what you know about aerodynamics, and a drone is built adhering to all of those concepts. The material is also solid so that military drones and drones used for filming are hard wearing and can cruise and incredible heights.
If you play COD, you are likely to have heard the term the UAV; UAV stands for Unmanned Aerial Vehicle.
UAVs all have different technology. Some have GPS, and others have cameras. It depends on what the purpose of the drone is. For example, some military drones will have infrared cameras and lasers.
Just like on a car with front parking sensors, the drone will have several sensors at the front too. This is where the navigational system is and the cavity for the rest of the technology that the drone requires. And of course, there are no pilots in sight, making it quick, light, and fast.
One of the most fascinating things about the material of these drones is that it is designed to absorb vibration. These will decrease the sound that they produce too.
The video below shows some of the filming capabilities of drones.
There isn’t just a single drone type; there are many different drones and UAVs that do a wide range of tasks, from wedding filming to military operations.
Drone Types and Sizes
UAV drones came in a wide variety of sizes and kitted out with a range of different technologies. The largest drones you are likely to hear about and see are designed for military purposes. The next in line size-wise is the unmanned aircraft, there usually have fixes wings and need a short runway to take off, just like a plane.
These slightly larger drones are designed to cover large sections of land and are used for combating wildlife poaching and geographical surveying.
The next size of drone you are likely to see is those that are designed for aerial photography.
How do You Control a Drone?
While it might look like it, drones don’t control themselves. There are a few ways that a drone can be controlled. The good old RC transmitter is one of the basic ways that you can control a drone. They have a higher reach than both Wi-Fi and Bluetooth too. When you purchase a drone, it will almost always come with an RC transmitter that is designed to be used with it. Although you can buy other transmitters, it is better most often to use the one it comes with.
Mobile Applications are a popular way to handle a drone. These rely on wi-fi and Bluetooth to work most of the time, but they can be run from a tablet or a smartphone. These mobile phone drone control applications often have advanced controls too. Giving you a first-person view, flight route options, and more.
For the advanced user, there is the option to set up a flight mode. This is typically on more expensive drones but can make the whole process even more accessible. There are set and forget options, where you program the route and let the drone do its thing.
They automatically return home options. If the drone loses data connections or is too far from the controller, it will return back.
Some drones have a follow mode. These are exceptionally good for those high shots of people walking or even driving. They follow the controlled at a set distance and altitude.
How do Drones Avoid a Collision?
This is worth asking. If you send a drone out into the world, you don’t want anything to happen to it, like flying into a tree, birds, or buildings. Most drones are now equipped with collision avoidance systems. They scan the surroundings and help the drone avoid a crash.
If you are going to be using your drone at tree-top height or for filming in the city, then it is beneficial for you to have a drone with a collision avoidance technology.
Are Drones Worth the Cost?
If you are a content creator and you want to move into taking footage that is interesting and dynamic, then yeah, a drone is worth the cost. But you don’t have to go all out on something that is going to cost thousands straight away.
There are budget drones that can get you used to the process, the editing, and the capabilities in advance. One of the drones that are most recommended for those on a budget is the DJI Mavic Mini; it comes in at around $400, is smaller than most smartphones, and can get you started on your drone journey.
For the average buyer, a drone is a fun way to shoot high-quality footage, create interesting videos. As any good COD player will know, the UAV is typical in the military and can provide a huge range of support and usability.
Here are ten Drone Podcasts that you can check out to get more information on the technology. Not only that but how to use a drone, how to get the most of drones, and even how you can start a drone business: Top 10 Drone Podcasts.
