1. MLC/AID/01: INTRODUCTION 1
C O M P E T E N C Y M O D U L E
DRONES
M I C R O - L E A R N I N G C A P S U L E : M L C / A I D / 0 1
I N T RO D U C T I O N TO D RO N E S
2. MLC/AID/01: INTRODUCTION 2
WHAT ARE DRONES
• Drones, also referred to as “Unmanned Aerial Vehicles” (UAVs), are essentially flying robots that can be
remotely controlled using software-controlled flight plans in their embedded systems that work in
conjunction with sensors and a global positioning system (GPS).
• These robot-like vehicles can carry out tasks ranging from mundane to ultra-dangerous and everything in
between. They were initially developed for the military and aerospace industries. But now, they have found
their way into the mainstream because of the enhanced levels of safety and efficiency they bring to the table.
• Drones, or unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV), are drone-style aircraft that fly without a pilot onboard; hence
their common moniker of unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV).
• These robot-like vehicles can carry out tasks ranging from mundane to ultra-dangerous and everything in
between. They were initially developed for the military and aerospace industries. But now, they have found
their way into the mainstream because of the enhanced levels of safety and efficiency they bring to the table.
3. MLC/AID/01: INTRODUCTION 3
TYPES OF DRONES
• Drones are complex machines that use a network to interpret pilot commands and environmental
factors in real time, which enables them to perform tasks such as taking high-quality aerial
photographs, monitoring crop health, optimizing irrigation systems, and spraying pesticides. It
consists of a flight controller, which is the brain of the drone, along with an ESC (electronic speed
controller), motors, a battery, and propellers, which are the core components of the drone.
• Electronic Speed Controller (ESC) An Electronic Speed Controller (ESC) acts as the brain of your drone’s
propulsion system, taking throttle signals from its radio transmitter and translating them into precise
motor speed adjustments. For optimal performance it’s essential that any drone you purchase has an
ESC with ratings for current and voltage. Current rating determines its maximum steady current
capacity while voltage indicates how well it handles bursts of power.
• Drones are classified as per the design or as per use.
4. MLC/AID/01: INTRODUCTION 4
HOW DRONES FLY
• A drone or unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) refers to any aircraft without a human pilot on board; this
includes military, commercial and consumer drones alike.
• Drones powered by motors produce lift by rotors in the case of quadcopters., and and in case of fixed
wing drones the thrust is produced by moving forward using wings or elevators and rudders on their
tails. These two functions allow drones to fly in various directions: up, down, left or right as well as
turn in place or change direction for fixed wing UAVs by manipulating control surfaces such as rudders
or elevators on wings or flaps on tails for direction control.
• Autonomous drones feature advanced sensors and artificial intelligence designed to operate
independently, without constant human involvement. To do this, they require a powerful onboard
computer capable of processing and analyzing real-time data as well as various sensors for navigation
and other purposes.
• Autonomous drones feature advanced sensors and artificial intelligence designed to operate
independently, without constant human involvement. To do this, they require a powerful onboard
computer capable of processing and analyzing real-time data as well as various sensors for navigation
and other purposes.
• Types of Drones: Multi-rotor: Fixed-wing: Single-rotor helicopter; Fixed-wing
hybrid VTOL
5. MLC/AID/01: INTRODUCTION 5
USES OF DRONES
• Commercial drones offer many diverse business and entertainment uses, from recreation to industry.
Their high-resolution images and videos make them the ideal marketing tools, such as for real estate
firms, tourist resorts and schools using them to produce engaging social media content for their social
media pages or capturing live events and exhibitions more immersively than before.
• Agriculture uses drones to increase efficiency and cut costs by optimizing resource use. Drone imaging
helps identify crop health issues early, leading to timely intervention that helps lower expenses as well
as environmental impact. In addition, remote monitoring and data analysis make drone use even
more cost effective.
• Agricultural insurance companies are turning to drones as an efficient and cost-cutting way of quickly
surveying fields and crops for damage assessment and claims settlement, saving both time and
money while guaranteeing accuracy of results. Furthermore, drones equipped with multispectral and
RGB sensors can carry out aerial spraying much more quickly than planes or vehicles and bring
significant cost savings.
• Drones can also help monitor water usage and detect potential issues like pooling or leaks.
Furthermore, drones provide detailed soil analyses that allow producers to increase efficiency while
increasing yields. Finally, drones help track livestock by providing real-time location and health
updates of each animal, helping farmers make informed decisions regarding feeding or treatment to
6. MLC/AID/01: INTRODUCTION 6
USES OF DRONES
• Here is a quick list of what drones are being used for:
• Inspections
• Oil & Gas Industries
• Monitoring and Management
• Waste Management
• Road Safety
• Highway Infrastructure Management
• Agriculture
• Environmental
• Natural Hazards and Disaster Relief
• Forestry
• Port and Marine
7. MLC/AID/01: INTRODUCTION 7
USES OF DRONES
• Waterways Coastal
• Surveying and Aerial Mapping
• Aerial LiDAR
• 3D Modelling
• Metro Map
• Mining
• Landfill Sites
• Construction
• Land Development
• Civil Engineering Projects
• Real Estate
• Photography and Videography
8. MLC/AID/01: INTRODUCTION 8
USES OF DRONES
• Technological advances in UAV autonomous flying technologies are making drones safer, longer
flights. Equipped with GPS systems and sophisticated obstacle detection sensors, drones are now
equipped to recognize static and dynamic obstacles and avoid them with confidence – providing
better coordination during deliveries, dynamic route optimization in real-time optimization of routes,
and smoother interactions with customers.
• Drones offer numerous advantages for delivery operations, from saving fuel and emissions
reductions, to increasing efficiency. Agriculture farmers also benefit from accurate spraying with
drones; their precision reduces excessive pesticide usage. But drones will only make an impactful
difference long term when used responsibly.
• One area of focus for cargo drone research and development is transporting heavy loads, such as
medicines and blood samples, to remote locations. Researchers and companies alike are creating
drones capable of handling up to 80 pounds in payload weight while optimizing structure design for
load-bearing capacity and power consumption.
• Another significant development is BVLOS operations, which allow drones to operate outside their
pilot’s line of sight. This opens up numerous new applications for drones such as last-mile delivery of
vital medical supplies in remote or difficult-to-reach locations where traditional delivery vehicles
cannot reach. Drones can transport vaccines, antivenom, organs safely to vulnerable populations in
