Future Unmanned Systems Impact

UAS will have a significant impact on the future of society over the next two decades, despite many changes and developments with both unmanned ground and maritime systems.

While traffic on highways and roads are constantly being expanded to accommodate increased passenger movements with the ever-growing population, there is limited space for these vehicles to operate. While autonomous ground vehicles will help to improve safety and alleviate some of the traffic by improving driving and navigational efficiency, these vehicles over the next few decades will still be sharing the streets with manned vehicles, allowing for human error to be present in operations.

UAS (specifically passenger drones) will have the unique capability (once regulations are effectively established) to capitalize on low altitude airspace, tapping into a network that can be effectively managed and developed from inception (Mcneal, 2016). Additionally, passenger drones will have the ability to operate in multiple dimensions, not limited to ground travel, but able to utilize VTOL capability. While autonomous vehicles are being developed by several manufacturers with proprietary software and systems, while current drone technology is typically more open sourced, with collaboration between manufacturers and enabling innovation and rapid advancement.

With regards to other UAS applications, enhanced capabilities in aerial photography, utility inspections, search and rescue and disaster recovery efforts, drug interdiction, parcel delivery, geo mapping, agriculture inspection/monitoring, firefighting applications and even university campus guides will continue to press the boundaries for what these systems are able to accomplish (Carroll, 2013). In conjunction with advanced cameras, sensors and countless other payload attachments, the possibilities for what these systems can do is endless.  

Additionally, there are countless military applications for these systems, removing the risk to loss of life for pilots and crews in hazardous environments, and enhancing the capabilities of ISR, agile supply movements and ground support.

Over the next few decades, for UAS, the rapid increase in technology, hardware and software will allow for endless possibilities!

-Jonathan

References

Carroll, J. (2013, December 6). The future is here: Five applications of UAV technology. Retrieved from http://www.vision-systems.com/articles/2013/12/the-future-is-here-five-applications-of-uav-technology.html

McNeal, G. (2016, October 24). Four Reasons Why Drones, Not Driverless Cars, Are The Future Of Autonomous Navigation. Retrieved from https://www.forbes.com/sites/gregorymcneal/2016/10/24/four-reasons-why-drones-not-driverless-cars-are-the-future-of-autonomous-navigation/#46e2c2e23e45