Use Of Drones Research Articles

Application of drone technology in power grid engineering

Abstract With the dynamic adjustments in eco-control zones, spatial layouts can be further optimized, but this has brought some challenges to the planning and construction of power grid projects. Utilizing drones and related technologies, it is possible to conduct surveys of eco-control zones with clear boundaries and unclear boundaries, which is beneficial for early risk avoidance in power grid projects. The results indicate that the use of orthophoto and oblique photography can effectively measure the boundaries of control areas and classify the ecological types within the research area. Maximizing the use of drone surveying technology can effectively identify control area boundaries, but attention must be paid to the factors affecting drone operations to prevent excessive measurement errors and reduce the accuracy of control area identification.

Entrega de produtos em áreas urbanas utilizando drones: análise de direito comparado da legislação regulatória aeronáutica

The aim of this paper is to analyze the possibility of using regulatory solutions applied in another country to help improving Brazilian aeronautical legislation regarding the use of drones for the delivery of products and food at home. In addition to its military origin, the article brings the definitions of drones, their classes, as well as the types of flight of this equipment. The current scenario of e-commerce and home food delivery in Brazil is presented below, with emphasis on its abrupt growth during the COVID-19 pandemic. Next, we present and analyze the US legislation that defines the process for using drones to deliver products and to obtain the drone pilot certificate and the subsequent comparison between the legal systems. Finally, the article concludes on the urgent need to improve Brazilian legislation to allow the use of drones to deliver products in urban areas, taking advantage of US solutions as a starting point. From a documentary and bibliographic research, the article uses deductive and comparative methods.

Consumer Acceptance of Drones for Last-Mile Delivery in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

The number of industries using drones is increasing. Although early research was conducted on drones, the prior literature has not emphasized consumer adoption of drones for item delivery. Consequently, this study investigates whether customers are open to receiving packages from drones. This study also examines the elements that influence customers’ willingness to adopt drone package delivery. This study fills a gap in the logistics and service research by examining people’s concerns regarding using drones. The unified theory of acceptance and use of technology (UTAUT2) serves as the basis for the conceptual framework. A self-administered online survey is deployed. The results demonstrate that perceived privacy risks negatively influence performance and effort expectancy as well as facilitating conditions and social influence. This study further validates the UTAUT2 by confirming the influence of performance expectancy and facilitating conditions on attitudes toward adopting drones. Moreover, this study confirms the positive influence of attitude on behavior. This study has managerial implications, one of which is the suggestion that the deployment and use of drones should minimize interference with people’s privacy.

Smart environmental drone utilization for monitoring urban air quality

Urban air quality has significant and far-reaching impacts on both human health and the broader environment. Pollutants like particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10), for instance, are associated with a range of health issues including respiratory conditions, asthma, heart diseases, and even contribute to low birth weight in newborns. These health implications extend to larger environmental concerns such as air pollution, greenhouse gas emissions, and global climate change. Recognizing the urgent need for effective and dynamic air quality monitoring solutions, this paper explores the use of smart environmental drones as a promising approach. Our drone is equipped with a state-of-the-art, low-cost particulate matter sensor that can accurately measure PM2.5 and PM10 concentrations. Operating at a flight speed of 10 m/s and capable of covering a range of 5 km, the drone executes a pre-programmed flight plan to autonomously map pollution levels across urban areas. With a 95% accuracy rate in sensor readings, our model significantly minimizes potential errors commonly associated with traditional air quality monitoring methods. Furthermore, it simplifies maintenance procedures, reducing both time and financial costs. By employing drone technology in this innovative manner, our model offers a cost-effective, reliable, and dynamic solution for monitoring urban air quality. It provides real-time, actionable pollution indices that can inform public health decisions, regulatory policies, and community awareness, thereby contributing to the broader goal of improving air quality and public health.

Radar Defense and Active Interception of Kamikaze Drones

The modern combat environment is marked by the active use of kamikaze drones, posing a serious threat to lightly armored vehicles. The development of radar technologies combined with microcontroller-based control systems allows for the effective detection and neutralization of these threats. This paper examines a complex of technical means for detecting and countering kamikaze drones, utilizing radar detection and active interception methods. An analysis of existing solutions in this field is conducted, highlighting their advantages and disadvantages, and technical proposals for constructing a radar control system, guidance unit, and countermeasure device are provided. Special attention is given to the integration of systems to enhance efficiency and automate processes. The presented results confirm the feasibility and effectiveness of the proposed solutions in real combat conditions, as evidenced by their application during Russia's war against Ukraine.

AUTHENTICATION OF WIRELESS SYSTEMS BASED ON A DRONE SWARM AS A COMPONENT OF THE 5G RADIO ACCESS NETWORK ARCHITECTURE

Background. When establishing security measures for telecommunication networks involving unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), characteristics such as high scalability, device diversity, and high mobility should be considered. Authentication is a fundamental property that allows a UAV network to establish secure communication between its core components. Authentication also protects the UAV network from attackers impersonating legitimate UAVs. UAV authentication can further secure the communication channel by preventing impersonation and replay attacks. The design of UAV access control schemes, such as authorization and authentication mechanisms, remains a challenging research problem in UAV networks. The network becomes even more complicated when it interacts with a multitude of UAVs, called a swarm. A swarm by its very nature has a dynamic structure, and this raises the issue of unreliable constraints on UAVs in its composition. A standardized solution for the authentication of a single drone using the new 5G radio network (NR) is known, but for a swarm of drones, this is an open field of research. Per-UAV authentication key sharing as described in 5G NR does not scale across groups of UAVs. Objective. The purpose of this work is to conduct an analytical review and consider approaches to creating procedures for the authentication of a swarm of UAVs/drones with wireless equipment on board for the 5G NR network, taking into account the features of swarm formation and the very requirements for 5G authentication. Methods. Analysis of factors affecting the quality of provision of telecommunication services using UAVs in fifth generation networks. Analysis of well-known publications dedicated to the implementation of 5G networks and the use of drones in them. Comparing the implementation of UAV authentication procedures with on-board wireless equipment in the 5G network. Results. The widespread use of small UAVs, as well as the large expansion of wireless 5G networks, requires new security measures to prevent unauthorized access to sensitive data. Identification and Authentication for a mobile operator's network using drones allows for secure communication between its main components. This makes it possible to recognize the very drones that participate in the formation of such a network. Drone authentication often protects the communication channel by preventing replay attacks. The development of drone radio access control mechanisms, such as authorization and authentication mechanisms, remain relevant researches for the construction of promising radio access networks involving UAVs. It has been confirmed that the introduction of special group procedures for the authentication of a swarm of drones in the 5G network can significantly improve the quality of the provision of telecommunication services. Conclusions. When working with a swarm of drones, in addition to the usual problems with encryption and authentication (within the swarm and for communication between the swarm and the ground control station), there are additional problems related to the constant change in the composition of the swarm and its hovering position: drones can join or leave a swarm. Depending on the swarm management structure, a different method of authentication will be needed, which makes it difficult to unify such procedures for a swarm of drones. Authentication procedures for a swarm of drones in 5G can be implemented through the following approaches: individual authentication, when each drone as a member of the swarm undergoes authentication with one NR 5G ground station; you can consider such an approach as authentication of a group of IoT devices, if the traffic of the swarm is very limited; group authentication through a leader drone that communicates with swarm members and the 5G operator's network; group distributed authentication through edge drones. Group authentication via a drone leader is presented, where authentication is performed through a mechanism based on distributed delegation to reduce the service traffic directed to the 5G operator's core network. Here, legitimate drones are authorized as proxy delegated signers to perform authentication on behalf of the underlying network. Group distributed authentication through boundary drones is considered, which offers more solutions than the case of authentication through a leader drone. Here, a solution is possible for several cases at once, for example, authentication of new drones (entering the swarm or leaving the swarm) and merging two separate drone swarms.

Laser-based drone vision disruption with a real-time tracking system for privacy preservation

The capabilities of drones are increasing every day, as is the ease with which civilians can buy and fly them. Most drones are equipped with a camera that is used by a point-of-view operator and, at the same time, can be used for image capture. The use of drones creates a threat to privacy whereby anyone who can fly a drone can take pictures without permission. This study aims to create a 2-axis tracker system that can recognize a drone and locate the position of the drone camera so that a laser beam can track and dazzle the drone camera. The depth-sensing camera is used to localize the part of the target corresponding to the drone’s camera and is created using the YOLOv5 algorithm as a deep-learning detector model. The drone’s camera range and position are challenging to detect due to its small size. Our adaptive detection method combines drone detection and drone camera detection. The depth-sensing camera provides input in the form of a three-coordinate axis from the target. If only the drone is detected, a predictive algorithm can determine the camera’s position for illumination with the laser. Alternatively, if the drone camera is detected, the laser can follow the target’s movement more quickly. In this study, a green (520 nm) laser module with adjustable power is used to investigate factors that affect the dazzling range. The computer vision detection algorithm can detect and localize the position of the drone camera up to 500 cm with a confidence level of more than 65%. If the target is in the center of the field of view, the accuracy of the target position can reach 98%. The tracker can follow the drone’s movement from 2 m/s to 4 m/s with a maximum error of 1.9 cm from the center point of the drone camera for close range. For long range, the maximum error is 6.2 cm. A laser power of 23.5 mW at 500 cm distance is found to be sufficient to dazzle and track drone cameras.

Użycie bezzałogowych statków powietrznych w celach bojowych. Wybrane aspekty prawne i medyczne

The COVID-19 pandemic has led to a decrease in human contact and a shift towards cyberspace, resulting in the rapid growth of the IT sector and advancements in engineering using IT solutions. This global phenomenon has also caused the collapse of the world economy and increased tensions. In 2022, the largest armed conflict in European history since World War II occurred due to the actions of the Russian Federation. The article focuses on the alignment of legal regulations at domestic and international levels regarding the use of combat drones. The main thesis confirms the assumption that legal systems of states and organizations are ill-prepared for the use of combat drones. The consequences of using these devices in the medical field are examined to support this thesis. The goal of the article is to present legal solutions that prioritize the protection of life and health. The cognitive value for practice is related to the unification of the conceptual framework and focus on transnational norms that can be used in the fields of both law and medicine. By definition, the article has an international scope due to the problems discussed.

Building the Lesser Caucasus Monumental Landscape during the Bronze Age: Life and Death on the Javakheti Plateau (Georgia)

Abstract Surveys carried out in the Javakheti Plateau during the last decade have improved our knowledge of the Bronze Age archaeology of this highland zone of the Lesser Caucasus of Georgia. Surveys have been conducted all over the area surrounding the Mt. Chikiani volcano, along the southern terraces of the Tsalka Reservoir, and some of the north-western slopes of Mt. Paravani. All these territories have yielded impressive evidence of megalithic monuments, stone-walled villages, kurgans, basalt and schist quarries, as well as obsidian extraction and production areas. Among these latter is an important circular platform made of basalt boulders, above which a workshop for the manufacture of obsidian bifacial arrowheads and spearheads was discovered. All the aforementioned features have been GPS-recorded and photographed with the use of a non-professional small drone. They show that the entire region is a monumental landscape, which most probably started to be built around the beginning of the Bronze Age, as many of the lithic finds would suggest.

Use of Drone in Indonesian Sound Art within the context of ‘Lawing’ put forward by Anugerah

Nursalim Yadi Anugerah is an Indonesian modern contemporary artist who use drones of Kledik- an instrument from Kalimantan. Nursalim has engaged in addressing socio-environmental concerns through an interdisciplinary approach. His unique approach towards Drone and sound art makes him an appropriate choice for this research. The research gives us an insight into the thinking process of Nursalim Yadi Anugerah and understand his unique approach towards creativity in sound art. The primary objective of this research is to inquire into the intersectionality between sound art and drone sounds. The research delves into the Aesthetic and Expressive Quality of drone through Lawing, Cultural context of drone sounds of kledik, Innovation with the drone through Lawing, Intersectionality of Sound Art and Technology and Community Engagement and collaboration by Anugerah. The research methodology adopted for this study is Descriptive Qualitative Analysis, with a focus on investigating how the auditory elements of lawing can influence perspectives and experiences, employing a qualitative research approach. The result of this research is a descriptive analysis of the interviews and observation of the performance by Nursalim Yadi Anugerah. The interviews were conducted in two phases. During the first phase, questions were asked based on the observations made during the performance. During the second phase, more general questions were asked while discussing the main objectives of this research. The study of lawing serves as an example showcasing the pertinence and innovation of sound art in addressing the social and environmental issues specific to Kalimantan. The incorporation of technology in these artworks emerges as a central driver of creativity and novelty. Ambisonic sound systems and specialized microphones have been purpose-designed to craft such artworks, creating a distinctive experiential dimension for the audience. Nursalim used an air compressor for his performance, which is a¬n innovative way of approaching wind instrument like Kledik, which is an ethnic instrument from Kalimantan. Indonesian artists have been actively establishing themselves in the realm of sound art, fusing their philosophical and cultural underpinnings with contemporary technology.

Wildlife monitoring with drones: A survey of end users

AbstractRapid advancements in technology often yield research inquiry into novel applications and drone (i.e., unoccupied aircraft systems or UAS) applications in wildlife management are no exception. We questioned the time lag between drone‐related research and end‐user assessments. We implemented an online, cross‐sectional survey of wildlife professionals to better understand current drone use and benefits or concerns, complemented by a review of contemporary peer‐reviewed and gray literature. We found little disparity between scientific inquiry and end‐user experiences (i.e., similar trends among concerns in published literature and survey results). Exploring new (i.e., advancements in computer vision) and refining original drone applications (i.e., evaluating animal behavior responses during monitoring) were strong among pilots of relatively minimal experience (1–5 years). Advancements in drone technology and changes in drone‐related legislation will continue to offer benefits and challenges.

Development of modern irrigation systems for improving efficiency, reducing water consumption and increasing yields

The study was conducted to examine modern irrigation systems aimed at improving water efficiency, reducing water consumption and increasing crop yields. The study analysed the environmental and socio-economic aspects of modern irrigation systems, including their impact on the environment and social sustainability of agriculture. The study determined that the use of modern irrigation systems, such as drip irrigation and IoT-based automatic control systems, can significantly improve the efficiency of water use in agriculture. Data analysis demonstrated that such systems can reduce water consumption by up to 50% while increasing yields by up to 30%. The use of agricultural drones to monitor field conditions and precisely regulate irrigation helps to improve plant health and reduce labour costs. The study also determined that water recycling and reuse systems can significantly reduce the use of freshwater, which is especially important in regions with limited water resources. In general, modern irrigation technologies demonstrate high efficiency and economic feasibility, contributing to the sustainable development of agriculture. The study proved that the use of computer modelling and forecasting of plant water requirements provides optimal conditions for their growth, which further contributes to an increase in yields. The results of the study can be used in practice to develop and implement more efficient and environmentally friendly technologies in irrigation and drainage systems, which helps to reduce the negative impact on the environment through more efficient use of water resources and reduction of water runoff

About the prospects for using FPV drones and quadrocopter drones in the Armed Forces of the Republic of Kazakhstan

This article examines the issues of the combat use of FPV drones, quadrocopter type in armed conflicts currently taking place, examines the design differences between FPV drones and quadrocopter type drones, reviews, specific drone models and technical characteristics of ammunition for them, studies materials in the production of drones. Also, the possibility of using regular combined-arms ammunition on drones, which are used as carriers of this warhead, was studied. In addition, some aspects regarding the tasks performed by personnel operating FPV drones are considered and an analysis of the comparison of personnel training processes and the operation of aviation equipment, which include airplanes, helicopters and unmanned aerial vehicles, is carried out.

Evaluating stakeholder perceptions on drone use in forest restoration using a social–ecological systems framework

Abstract Forest restoration is critical for meeting global objectives related to climate change mitigation, biodiversity conservation and sustainable livelihoods. Recently, new technologies such as unmanned aerial vehicles (hereafter drones) have been promoted to support activities across the planning, implementation, monitoring and maintenance stages of forest restoration. Yet, there is little empirical data on how the development and application of drones are perceived by restoration managers and stakeholders and how drones intersect with existing forest social–ecological systems (SESs). Here, we investigate how drone tree planting initiatives in Australia can support ecosystem restoration. Through interviews and focus groups with key actors, we examine the opportunities and challenges that have been experienced or are foreseen with drone use. Opportunities included the ability of drones to access degraded sites that are difficult or unsafe to access on foot, for example, following bushfires, floods or landslides. They were also perceived to ease the labour shortage of bush regenerators in Australia. Drones were considered particularly useful when operating at scales of around 20–100 ha. Challenges included restrictive flying regulations that prohibit use of artificial intelligence to plot courses through complex terrain, their unproven ability to control or eradicate weeds and the uncertain supply, germination and survival rates of seeds—upon which drone‐based restoration relies. Drone use may also reduce the emotional, spiritual and cultural connections of people to the land, as compared to hand‐planting seeds or seedlings. We conclude by conceptualising how drone‐assisted restoration can be embedded within a forest SESs management framework. Ultimately, we argue that drones offer a ‘boutique’ restoration approach that supports, rather than replaces, traditional forest restoration techniques. Read the free Plain Language Summary for this article on the Journal blog.

Selection of Sustainable Material for the Construction of Drone Aerodynamic Wing using Neutrosophic RAWEC

In light of the expansion of the use of drones in many fields, the development of the drone industry has gained the attention of many researchers. The process of selecting the materials used in developing and constructing the wing of the drone has become a very important and complex matter due to its reliance on multiple and sometimes conflicting criteria. Therefore, it must have an informed approach to the selection and decision-making process thoughtfully. The goal of this research is to introduce a new approach in a neutrosophic environment for the first time, to select the most suitable material for constructing a drone wing. The material must meet several criteria, including low weight, high rigidity, resistance to deformation, durability, and excellent stability. Neutrosophic is one of the most effective tools for dealing with ambiguity since it addresses the problem of uncertainty in the decision-making process. We have presented the SVTNSs - LMAW (single value triangular neutrosophic sets-logarithm methodology of additive weights) approach for calculating the weights of criteria and the new SVTNSs - RAWEC (single value triangular neutrosophic sets-ranking alternatives with weights of criterion) approach for ranking available alternatives involves straightforward computation steps, eliminating the need for pairwise comparisons in contrast to other MCDM approaches and saving time. Also, we examined the impact of changing the normalization method on the rank of the alternatives. We have conducted a sensitivity analysis to ensure the strength and stability of our proposed approach, and the results have proven that the proposed approach for selecting the appropriate material in light of ambiguity and lack of certainty that occurs in real life is very effective. By using the SVTNSs-LMAW-RAWEC approach the companies and factories will choose the most effective and efficient materials to develop and create a drone wing.

Autonomous robotic drone system for mapping forest interiors

Abstract. During the last decade, the use of drones in forest monitoring and remote sensing has become highly popular. While most of the monitoring tasks take place in high altitudes and open air, in the last few years drones have also gained interest in under-canopy data collection. However, flying under the forest canopy is a complex task since the drone can not use Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) for positioning and it has to continually avoid obstacles, such as trees, branches, and rocks, on its path. For that reason, drone-based data collection under the forest canopy is still mainly based on manual control by human pilots. Autonomous flying in GNSS-denied obstacle-rich environment has been an actively researched topic in the field of robotics during the last years and various open-sourced methods have been published in the literature. However, most of the research is done purely from the point-of-view of robotics and only a few studies have been published in the boundary of forest sciences and robotics aiming to take steps towards autonomous forest data collection. In this study, a prototype of an autonomous under-canopy drone is developed and implemented utilizing state-of-the-art open-source methods. The prototype is utilizing the EGO-Planner-v2 trajectory planner for autonomous obstacle avoidance and VINS-Fusion for Visual-inertial-odometry based GNSS-free pose estimation. The flying performance of the prototype is evaluated by performing multiple test flights with real hardware in two different boreal forest test plots with medium and difficult densities. Furthermore, the first results of the forest data collecting performance are obtained by post-processing the data collected with a low-cost stereo camera during one test flight to a 3D point cloud and by performing diameter breast at height (DBH) estimation. In the medium-density forest, all seven test flights were successful, but in the difficult test forest, one of eight test flights failed. The RMSE of the DBH estimation was 3.86 cm (12.98 %).

The Use of Drones for Cost-Effective Surveys in Natura 2000 Protected Areas: A Case Study on Monitoring Plant Diversity in Sicily (Italy)

The Use of Drones for Cost-Effective Surveys in Natura 2000 Protected Areas: A Case Study on Monitoring Plant Diversity in Sicily (Italy)

The role of drones in disaster response: A literature review of operations research applications

AbstractThe increasing use of drones has led to growing interest in their potential applications in disaster response. In this study, we examine the role of drones in disaster management under three categories of operation types, which are information collection, delivery, and communication network recovery. Focusing on an operations research (OR) perspective, we analyze and summarize the important characteristics of different problem structures and highlight the solution approaches. We also identify gaps and limitations in the current literature and propose future directions for further investigation. Overall, the study provides a comprehensive summary and valuable insights for researchers and practitioners interested in exploring the use of drones for humanitarian purposes and developing OR‐based approaches to support decision‐making.

The Use of Drones in Tactical Military Operations in the Integrated and Cybernetic Battlefield

Abstract Drones have become an essential component of modern military arsenals, representing unmanned aerial vehicles capable of performing a variety of tasks, from surveillance and reconnaissance to precision strikes and assistance in military operations. This paper examines the classification and use of drones in the integrated and cybernetic battlefield, analyzing the existing types of drones and the advantages and disadvantages of their use. Various types of drones, their characteristics, capabilities, advantages, and limitations depending on the type and purpose of the operation are examined. The high flight autonomy, surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities, striking potential, precision, and reduced manufacturing and operating costs make drones a highly topical subject in military scientific research. The vulnerabilities and specific limitations of these new weapons, such as vulnerability to radar interference, adverse weather conditions, technological novelty, and doctrinal action limitations, create problems, restrict use, and decrease target effectiveness. Additionally, the paper analyzes the role and impact of Kamikaze drones in military operations in the current integrated and cybernetic battlefield, highlighting their ability to precisely target and surprise the enemy.

Fishermen's attitudes towards drone use for sustainable fishing in a coastal community in Kerala, India: An exploratory qualitative study

Fishing is crucial to livelihoods and development. However, unsustainable practices and shocks threaten this potential, which is worsened by limited research on technologies such as drones to enhance sustainable fishing. Our study used an exploratory qualitative approach involving 48 fishermen in Alappad in Kerala. The findings revealed that fishermen use either unsustainable or traditional practices. Due to increasing familiarity with new technologies, fishermen have positive attitudes toward drone use. Using these narratives, we ideated the characteristics of feasible drone(s) for sustainable localized fishing. The success of drone adoption/use is dependent on fishermen's positive attitudes.