Last updated on October 10th, 2023 at 07:59 am
Drones are no longer a niche technology only enthusiasts and professionals experiment with. Drones are becoming more and more mainstream, with many large companies investing in the technology. In fact, according to one industry report, the worldwide drone market is estimated to reach $13 billion by 2023, a more than threefold increase from 2017. Given how quickly the drone industry is advancing, it’s inevitable that we’ll see numerous developments over the next few years. These advancements will apply to both consumer and professional-grade drones. For this reason, today, we will give you our top drone predictions for 2023.
1. Drone-Based Reporting
Local and international news networks often use helicopters and traffic cameras to report on traffic conditions and vehicle accidents. However, in recent years, more and more networks and professional news outlets have started to see the potential of drone photography and videography. Many media outlets are using drones to gather essential footage for their stories. Drones may give detailed information on road accidents and crisis scenarios while saving time, resources, and money by flying lower. For this reason, we will likely continue to see an increased use of drones in journalism in 2023 and onward.
2. Solar Power Plant Surveillance
Several solar farms across the US are in construction to meet the growing demand for solar power. According to industry analysts, they will be done sometime in 2023. Due to the difficulty of monitoring operational efficiency across such a wide range of locations, drones will assist. Implementing autonomous drones that carry thermographic cameras allows for round-the-clock, in-depth inspection of solar farms. This will help companies that run solar farms quickly check for problems like wear and tear, temperature discrepancies, and equipment failure.
3. Using Drone Technology with Digital Replicas
A digital replica or twin is a computer simulation that closely mimics a real-world object in every way possible. For instance, a digital replica of a house can mimic it down to its temperature and wall thickness. That being said, drones have capabilities that can improve the efficiency of digital twins. They can take a 360-degree, up-close video of a physical object. Furthermore, drones readily collect all the data necessary to produce a digital twin. This will make it easier for businesses to create an accurate digital replica of the products or structures they want to sell.
4. Supply Chain Applications of Drone Technology
While only Amazon has made significant investments in using drones for autonomous deliveries thus far, more and more supply chain businesses are turning to them. Several other companies will increase their usage of drones as e-commerce and internet deliveries continue to expand. The lack of delivery drivers propels the drone service to new heights. Moreover, according to experts and bestmoversinflorida.com, even moving companies are implementing drones in some capacity. For now, it is only for location analysis. However, as drone technology develops, so will the possibilities.
5. Light Detection and Ranging
Light detection and ranging, or LiDAR for short, is a technique for determining spatial distances and locating objects. The system works by firing laser pulses at the ground and timing how long it takes for the light to bounce back to a sensor. Drones have made LiDAR considerably more accessible to enterprises in various fields. This includes construction, archaeology, mining, environmental sciences, etc. Companies will be able to assess the conditions of the worksite and create a better plan of action for their employees. Furthermore, drones shine in surveying because they save time and money compared to traditional surveying methods.
6. More relaxed Drone Regulations
The FAA eased restrictions on using small drones in business settings in April 2021. Previously, without a permit from the FAA, crewless aircraft were not allowed to fly over people, fly at night, or be out of the line of sight of the operator. But now that laws are beginning to relax, widespread usage of drones for commercial reasons seems imminent. Experts believe such regulations limit the industry’s potential by limiting the scope of possible applications. Once the FAA lifts these restrictions, more businesses will use drones to cut costs and improve efficiency.
7. Drones in Oil and Gas Infrastructure Management
One of the most significant drone predictions for 2023 is that they will soon make it possible to keep an eye on oil and gas facilities. This will ensure that these facilities are safe for the environment and workers. Workers can protect themselves during inspections and monitor key accessible locations and risky regions using on-site industrial drones. The ability of drones to identify abnormalities like leaks and temperature spikes is beneficial for disaster prevention and emergency response. However, it has not yet attained a high level of popularity. There is evidence that it may become more prevalent in 2023.
8. Drones-as-a-Service
The “As a Service” concept has gained significant traction in IT in the last couple of years. As a result, it’s hardly surprising that drone-as-a-service models are also gaining popularity. Several companies are adopting this model to increase productivity and reduce costs. This has opened the door to greater drone adoption across various sectors, including agriculture, construction, and logistics. Drones have also proven helpful in insurance, aviation, construction, and mining.
9. Improving Security and Monitoring
Drones have several applications in intelligence gathering, security monitoring, and risk assessment. Due to these qualities, they are precious to paramilitary organizations, border patrols, and law enforcement agencies. This makes drones indispensable tools in the fight against various illegal activities. In 2023, the military will start implementing drone operations such as surveillance, bomb threats, fugitive tracking, and hostage situations.
Conclusion
Now that we have given you our top drone predictions for 2023, we hope you are ready to explore the vast potential of this technology. Drones, like AI, are poised to transform various industries. Moreover, they will impact our lives in unimaginable ways in the years to come. Therefore, it makes sense to begin exploring this technology and prepare your business for the future.