Drones are costly and have the potential to invade privacy, but they can also make a massive impact on agriculture and biodiversity – so where is the drone industry headed?
Over the past few years we’ve heard a lot about these small, remotely-piloted aircrafts. Only a few days ago an American airline regional jet nearly collided with one, adding safety concerns into the bag of negativity. But another bag sitting adjacent to that is full of benefits – and it’s getting bigger by the day.
Drones range in cost from $2,000 – $160,000 depending on their features and use (military, for example). Farmers would be looking at the lower end of the spectrum, and the cost may pay off sooner than previously thought. Equipped with infrared cameras, sensors and other technology controlled from the ground, drones have the ability to identify a plethora of issues. This can include pest management, watering issues, tracking down wayward cattle, and assessing crop yields. If serving these purposes, a big highlight could be in the reduction of pesticides and overused resources.
Another benefit of drones is in the preservation of biodiversity. We’ve already spoken in the past about their ability to stop poachers in their tracks, and yet it goes further than that. The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds is using drones to spy on nests and safeguard some of England’s rarest birds. Reaching previously inaccessible nests and examining breeding patterns could have huge effects on maintaining the diversity of our wildlife – in the most unobtrusive way.
The threat against our privacy is an important concern and questions obviously need to be raised about their commercial use. But if we can minimise environmental and ecological damage with the use of drones, then they also need to be recognised as such.
