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It’s clear the industrial sector is already embracing drone technology, as outlined somewhat in the article. Inspection use cases make a lot of sense, but we’re also seeing use cases with delivery, surveillance, manufacturing, first response, military, motion pictures, news media, scientific research and much more.
AT&T has complemented their fleet of COWs (cells on wheels) with a squadron of COWs (cells on wings), when they need rapid deployment of mobile communications for special events or in support of first responders in disaster-struck areas. These tethered drones can remain prolonged, on-station serving as temporary cell towers when needed.
Startup company, Zipline, has been deploying their fixed wing drones for medical delivery to areas-in-need in Africa the last couple years, and is now piloting FAA-approved test operations in North Carolina.
Even DJI has already gotten into Industry in
many ways already. Heck, they’re even crop dusting and providing critical
soil and moisture analysis with their Agras line of “super Mavics.”
So is it time for the Industrial Sector to embrace drone technology? Yes, it‘s time, and we are already past the embrace stage. It’s like asking in the 50’s if Industry was ready to embrace technology, in general, when it was already happening.
The benefits, like the challenges, are endless. Benefits include saving time, reaching distances, and a solution when there’s a lack of a better alternative. Challenges include the need for supportive regulatory restructuring and the gradual reconditioning of society towards acceptance.
We’re not just talking basic camera drones anymore.