
Surveillance
The Complete Beginner's Guide To Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV)
By TechDogs Editorial Team

Overview
Once technology reaches a threshold, we tend to eliminate the human element (so we can focus on more important tasks - or binge on Netflix while the Roomba does the cleaning!)
We conquered the skies in 1903 (thanks to the Wright brothers!) but it's time to automate the aircraft - wait, didn't we do that already? Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (or UAVs) are autonomous aircraft, essentially a plane without a pilot. UAVs have simplified our modern lives in myriad, unimaginable ways.
From agriculture and nature surveying to construction and emergency response - UAVs are the silent birds of the sky. Read on to learn more about Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), their working, benefits, impact on our world and future trends.
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Never tell a soldier that he does not know the cost of war.
Some of you might remember this iconic closing line from the 2015 movie "Eye in The Sky" starring Hellen Mirren, Aaron Paul and the late Alan Rickman. The plot revolves around the decision to strike a terrorist hideout in Africa using an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle and how it might injure the nearby innocent civilians - especially a young girl, Alia, who lives next door.
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles used in the military application (such as the ones shown in the movie) can operate autonomously for years! Their in-built computers are programmed to sense their environment and make decisions independently - yet in certain situations (such as targeting a terrorist hideout with precision), a human operator can take over. A critical thing to remember here is that every UAV is a drone, but not all drones are UAVs. Confused?
Don't worry; we'll go more in-depth to discover what separates drones from UAVs, their evolution, how they work, their benefits and their future. Let's go!
What Is An Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV)?
Let's begin by defining an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle - it is an aircraft that can be remotely piloted in most contexts but has a self-governing operation. That is, it can operate "unmanned" but can also be controlled remotely by a controller. They are commonly referred to as "drones" - but there's a catch!
All UAVs are drones (as we can remotely pilot them) but not all drones are UAVs (as they cannot operate autonomously). Clear? There will be a quiz later! When a UAV functions under remote control by a pilot, it offers various degrees of autonomy, such as autopilot assistance, up to fully autonomous mode that has no human intervention.
Well, that wasn't always the case - let's look at how UAVs became smarter over the years.
Started From The Balloons Now We Here!

Although it's hard to pinpoint the origin of UAVs, there is evidence that in 1849 Austria attacked Venice with unmanned balloons filled with explosives. We know flying balloons do not fit in with our understanding of sleek and ultra-modern autonomous vehicles. However, that's when the journey of UAVs started!
One of the earliest examples of a modern UAV was developed in the late 1950s by the Northrop Corporation. The project, named Dragonfly, was canceled as it did not work as envisioned. The United States government was heavily involved in developing crewless aerial vehicles during the Vietnam War to survey the North Vietnamese Army (NVA) and its operations.
During the War of Attrition (1967-1970), Israeli intelligence developed tactical UAVs installed with reconnaissance cameras, which allowed them to photograph the region beyond the Suez Canal. As technology improved, UAVs could carry more payloads and stay airborne longer. It was much later in the 20th century that UAV technology was developed for non-military applications.
In the last few years, UAVs have been deployed to survey national parks and national borders as well as assess damages after earthquakes and floods. Recently, hobby radio-controlled aerial vehicles have also gained popularity. However, UAVs are mostly limited to military and emergency response situations due to security and regulatory reasons.
Well, enough of the history lesson - let's see how UAVs work!
How Do UAVs Work?

Unmanned Aerial Vehicles work in two modes - either they can be remotely controlled or allowed to fly autonomously using their built-in sensors to follow a pre-programmed route while avoiding obstacles. The remote operation isn't much different from playing a video game where you control a drone – although there are real-life consequences (this isn't GTA, guys!). They can also operate "unmanned" thanks to the fact that most commercial drones or UAVs are equipped with expensive hardware and sophisticated software. Think of this - the Predator B aerial vehicle from the movie "Eye in The Sky" costs a whopping $3 billion!
Most UAVs are also programmed using advanced technologies, such as cloud computing, Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Deep Learning and thermal sensors which allow them to run autonomously. They are also furnished with real-time communication, navigation and control systems, so their status and location can be tracked instantly. Depending on their application, UAVs can be fitted with cameras, searchlights, weaponry, or lasers.
Now that we know how these metallic birds work, let's check out how they help us in day-to-day activities.
How Do UAVs Benefit Us?
Apart from looking insanely futuristic, UAVs offer several advantages across a plethora of domains. UAVs are heavily used in aerial imagery for commercial purposes and are primarily relied on during disaster and rescue operations. UAVs can also be used for delivering payloads and tools in remote and tough-to-access areas.
Commercial operators in agriculture, defence and mining also rely on UAVs to monitor and survey their vast properties. Moreover, UAVs can be used for cargo transportation, emergencies, photography, monitoring and reconnaissance.
Here are the most significant benefits of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles -
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UAVs can save lives by surveying the damage, locating stranded and injured victims and assessing ongoing threats without risking the safety of rescue teams and first responders during emergencies.
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UAVs can support law enforcement by providing tactical surveillance as well as assisting in the management and monitoring of large crowds.
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UAVs can streamline agriculture management by observing and measuring the landscape to calculate and predict the variability in produce. By pinpointing these areas, farmers can provide extra care where needed, thereby improving the yield, conserving assets, and avoiding wastage.
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UAVs can also provide access to hard-to-reach places through aerial photography, which is much more efficient and safer.
However, more use cases are being developed every day. Read on to know more!
Let’s Zoom Into The Future!

According to Deloitte, the drone industry was valued at $8.2 billion in 2016, with over a million UAVs sold globally. This figure is expected to increase to $25 billion by 2025 - a threefold rise! The UAV industry is rapidly expanding and constantly seeking to reach new heights - and that wasn't just a pun!
NASA successfully landed the Perseverance rover on Mars in early 2021, however, what was new was the vital payload it was carrying: the Mars Helicopter, Ingenuity. It was the first time we tested an unmanned vehicle on another planet. It was akin to a Wright Brothers moment - and evidence that UAVs can do a lot more than we think is possible. The UAV market is expected to diversify from military applications to enhance commercial, government, law enforcement and consumer applications soon. Some retail providers are also experimenting with UAV-based home delivery of products.
Conclusion
Of course, unmanned vehicles aren't new but their popularity has skyrocketed as drone and sensor technologies have advanced in the last few decades. Unmanned Aerial Vehicle have a significant impact on daily life – from drones that can create art installations in the sky to killer drones that can stay airborne for hours to strike accurately halfway across the world. The scope of UAVs is vast but there is so much more to offer. Drones that deliver pizza? Who knows, that might just be the future!
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between a drone and a UAV?
An Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) is essentially a type of drone, but not all drones qualify as UAVs. The distinction lies in the level of autonomy and self-governing operation. While all UAVs can be remotely piloted, not all drones have the capability to operate autonomously. So, to simplify, every UAV is a drone, but not every drone is a UAV.
How do UAVs work?
UAVs operate in two primary modes: remotely controlled and autonomous. In remote control mode, operators maneuver UAVs similarly to playing a video game, albeit with real-life consequences. Alternatively, UAVs can fly autonomously, following pre-programmed routes while using built-in sensors to avoid obstacles. These vehicles rely on sophisticated hardware and software, including technologies like cloud computing, Artificial Intelligence, and thermal sensors, to function autonomously.
What are the benefits of UAVs?
UAVs offer numerous advantages across various sectors. They play a crucial role in disaster response, assisting in search and rescue missions, surveying damage, and identifying threats without risking human lives. Additionally, UAVs benefit agriculture by providing detailed aerial imagery, enabling farmers to monitor and manage their land more efficiently. Law enforcement agencies utilize UAVs for tactical surveillance and crowd management. Overall, UAVs enhance safety, efficiency, and accessibility across a wide range of applications.
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