Did you know that the roots of the modern drone date back to World War I?

But it’s only in the last two decades that drones have really found their place in a number of industries. Indeed, drones are now used for purposes so diverse they span filmmaking to search and rescue and even disaster management.

As drone technology becomes more accessible, consumers may want the answer to “what can drones be used for?” before making the investment. This is why we’ve broken down the most popular uses for drones in this quick guide. Keep reading to learn more.

What Can Drones Be Used For?

As drones grow in their adoption and usage across industries and among the general public, the regulations around them have also grown. Since 2012, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has been responsible for the rules surrounding drone uses.

The below uses for drones are all legal ways to use drones. They also make any number of tasks easier and more efficient.

Shipping and Delivery

In August 2020, the FAA approved Amazon’s fleet of Prime Air delivery drones. These autonomous drones are intended to deliver packages from Amazon to customers.

This is a big step in unmanned shipping and delivery in all kinds of industries. One day, we might have our medicines, groceries, and even our pizza delivered by drone.

Agriculture

Drones offer a lot of help to farmers cultivating 100’s of acres of land. Drones may be equipped with infrared sensors that can help them more closely monitor crop health, for example. This allows farmers to react quicker to the actual conditions of their crop, in turn improving yield.

The use of drones in agriculture is an affordable and environmentally-friendly way to better manage crops and land.

Search and Rescue

Drones can access remote locations that are difficult for humans to access. With high definition cameras, they provide a view that is otherwise impossible to achieve. Combined with radar systems and thermal sensors, drones are an invaluable tool for search and rescue teams.

They’re especially helpful in disaster management situations. Drones can help gather data and assess the degree of damage after a natural or manmade disaster. They can also predict or monitor potential disasters, such as floods.

Filmmaking

Filmmakers love the fact that drones can get aerial footage for a fraction of the cost of a helicopter or manned aircraft. High definition cameras allow for crisp, clear, and beautiful shots, even with smaller budgets.

Drones are also being used for sporting events, offering views that cameras can’t. They’ve also become popular among journalists looking for live-broadcast footage.

For Fun

Drones are more affordable and accessible than they’ve ever been. There’s nothing stopping the average individual from picking one up for the fun of making great videos and getting unique photos of events, family gatherings, or your kids’ soccer game.

But if you’ve never used a drone before, you’ll want to avoid the professional-level technology. Instead, opt for one of the best drones for beginners.

All Things Tech

What can drones be used for? The list is so long that we’ve had to narrow it down to some of the most popular. And as the technology improves, more and more uses for drones are found.

To keep up on that and the latest in all things tech, be sure to check out our Tech section regularly.