While drones are not a brand new invention or innovation, they have really taken off in the United States over the past few years. There are over 770,000 drones in the USA alone and don’t be shocked to see that number skyrocket in the near future.

While many people use their drones to fly around and/or take pictures as a hobby, these versatile machines have many different potential uses. This article will take a look at some of the most exciting and useful uses for drones.

3D Mapping

3D mapping and modelling used to be a bit of a complex topic, but it has been made a lot more efficient and improved thanks to drones. Drones are ideal for capturing large areas from above and observing things high in the air, both of which are important in 3D scanning and mapping.

The improvements in drone cameras and the affordability and availability of them makes them ideal for photogrammetric measurements. Companies like Photomodeler (http://www.photomodeler.com/applications/UAS/default.html) have created software to truly provide cost effective and accruate scanning and mapping.

Journalism

Journalism is all about getting people the news and information they want, as soon and as accurately as possible. Virtual journalism is taking off, and drones could potentially play a massive role in that market. Instead of simply being passive, drones can help us make journalism more active and immersive.

You could capture the entire scene from unique vantage points, giving those who consume news unprecedented access to news and other stories. The video, audio and pictures from the drones can be sent in real-time back to the studio for expert opinion, as well. Think of it like a modern-day and more efficient and stealthy version of the news helicopter.

Making Deliveries

Home delivery is more important than ever with Amazon and online shopping taking off and becoming incredibly popular. Most of the time, the purchases made online are transported to their destinations by a truck, which isn’t really the best way to do things, thanks to traffic and the costs of fuel and maintenance.

As a result, many companies are looking to drones as an option for aerial delivery to allow for quicker and more efficient deliveries. I addition to things like packages, eventually companies like Postmates or Uber Eats might be able to even deliver food orders via drones. While this might not take place for a long time, the potential uses in delivery for drones are undeniable.

Monitoring Traffic and Weather

Gathering information about storms while they are taking place is not only difficulty, but it can also be dangerous. Instead of sending researchers into storms, drones provide a safer alternative. Of course, the drones will need to be beefed up compared to standard hobby drones, but this option could provide a lot of helpful data on hurricanes, tornadoes and other weather emergencies.

In addition to weather, drones could also help monitor traffic. There are millions of miles of highway, with hardly anyone watching them. Drones could help reduce and pinpoint causes of traffic jams, survey land and keep eyes on stretches of road to make sure everything is going as it should.