Unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), popularly known as UAVs, have been a major driving force behind several military, industrial and commercial applications. Its diverse uses include military operations, image and video mapping, medical and search and rescue missions, parcel delivery, hidden area exploration, power-line inspection, agricultural monitoring, aerial surveillance, oil rigs, wireless communication and more.

The unmanned aerial vehicles are classified based on their flight range and altitude. The former refers to the maximum distance from where a drone can be controlled, while the latter denotes the height at which it can fly. UAVs can also be categorized based on their payload capacity and operating mode. Fixed-wing UAVs are favored for rough inspection tasks, while multi-rotor drones can be used to capture images from a closer position.

The operational mode of an unmanned aerial vehicle is determined by its onboard control system and the type of payload it can carry. Depending on their size, the payloads of UAVs can vary from a few grams to a few kilograms. The payload capacity of a UAV impacts its flying time and power capacity. A higher payload capacity allows the unmanned aerial vehicle to carry more accessories, at the expense of shorter flying times.

Coherent Market Insights States that The Global Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Market was valued at US$ 19,365.8 Mn in 2019 and is expected to reach US$ 68,983.0 Mn by 2028, exhibiting a CAGR of 16.3% between 2021 and 2028. During the projected period, the market is anticipated to increase because to the rising demand for unmanned aerial vehicles in military applications such as border security and surveillance. This is a result of the development of drone technology and many drone-related features, including the ability to record video and take still pictures. Unmanned aerial vehicle demand has grown over the past ten years in a number of nations, including the United States, China, India, and others. For instance, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) estimates that there were thousands of unregistered drones in addition to the 1.3 million drones that were registered in the United States in 2019.

Unmanned aerial vehicles are a valuable tool in aiding the search and rescue operation during disaster situations like avalanches, wildfires, poisonous gas infiltration and earthquakes. They can provide a clear picture of the intended location of a missing person, which saves a lot of manpower, resources and time during an emergency rescue mission. Moreover, UAVs can also help in tracking mountaineers or people who are lost in challenging terrains or harsh atmospheric conditions.

Besides performing SAR duties, drones can be deployed in remote locations to deliver medical supplies such as medicine kits and life-saving jackets to stranded people. They can even send water, cloths and other essentials to the stricken people before any ambulance or rescue team arrives at the site.

Drones can also be equipped with advanced sensors to monitor road conditions. The images captured by them can identify any cracks on the highway and alert drivers to take precautionary measures. This would reduce the damage caused by vehicles traveling on the highway and minimize traffic accidents.

Unmanned Aerial Vehicle technology has become an active component in a number of research fields, such as environmental science, agriculture, water resources and energy. They can provide a cost-effective alternative to airborne and satellite-based remote sensing, which are usually limited by their high costs. The UAVs can collect data with high temporal and spatial resolution.

Drone Nerds announced the launch of DJI Agras T40 drone, in October 2022. It can be helpful in agricultural applications for customers in North America.