A commercial drone is a small remote-controlled aircraft used for commercial purposes. These types of drones can perform many tasks, such as aerial photography, surveillance, law enforcement, surveying, search and rescue, crime apprehending, and even tracking terrorist movements. The use of these unmanned aircraft systems has grown exponentially in recent years. This growth is due to the increasing demand for these devices from businesses. In addition to the use of these aircraft, many governments are introducing new regulations for the industry.
Some of the common uses of commercial drones are in agriculture, construction, and oil and gas industries. They are able to record visual data and inspect various properties, including buildings, roads, pipelines, and even oil storage tanks. These aircraft can also help engineering firms with transmission cables, line inspections, and in-depth projects.
Drones can also be used for real estate marketing, as well as for professional photography. Architects can use drones to create three-dimensional images of a building or property. Many of these images are then edited and stitched together to create orthomosaics, which are photo representations of an area. These images can be used for marketing real estate, and they are useful for documenting a building’s progress in civil engineering.
As of 2019, the commercial drone market was dominated by the rotary blade segment. These drones have the ability to hover, allowing them to maintain a visual on one target for a long period of time. Rotary blades also have the advantage of being easier to control than fixed-wing counterparts.
Hybrid commercial drones maximize efficiency by using the advantages of batteries and fuels. They are able to carry a higher payload, and fly longer distances in adverse weather conditions. However, these types of drones are more expensive than fixed-wing drones. Fortunately, there are several products available on the market to meet the demands of different commercial users.
One example is the Skydio X2, which was the first foldable commercial drone. Its industrial design includes a folding carbon fiber propeller arm. Moreover, the Skydio X2 has a CMOS sensor that can capture high-resolution stills and 4K HDR footage at 60 fps. Also, it can be flown with a controller or from the accompanying mobile app.
Besides, there are many companies developing new applications for the use of commercial drones. One such company is Flyability, which pioneered confined space inspection drones in 2016. Other companies have been working to improve the safety of commercial drones by developing technologies to keep humans safe while they operate them.
In addition to enhancing safety, drones can also improve efficiency and productivity. For example, the FreeFly Alta X drone features a quick-release gimbal system, as well as foldable carbon fiber propeller arms. And it can carry a payload of up to 35 pounds. Another great option is the Skydio 2 +, which is equipped with a Beacon remote and can be operated from an iOS or Android device. With its CMOS sensor, this drone can capture 12-megapixel stills and 4K HDR footage at speeds of up to 36 mph.