Autralian Mining Companies Increasing Use of UAVs 67
aesoteric writes "Australia's top miners have opened a new front in their march to automation, flying unmanned aerial vehicles in increasing numbers at remote sites across the country. They've been used to inspect a fire-damaged oil rig, perform aerial photography and stockpile surveys. There is also a trend towards non U.S.-built UAVs, due to the lag in receiving export approvals for the aircraft and spare parts."
Many commercial and civil uses... (Score:5, Interesting)
You hear a lot of hyperbole lately from across the political spectrum bemoaning dire consequences from the use of UAVs. But having worked for a UAV manufacturer in the past, I know with certainty that they are preparing many flavors of unmanned systems for civil and commercial uses. Land management, asset management, traffic reporting, forestry, mining, oceanography, geology, communications, medevac, and cargo applications are just a few of the things that they could do... and will one day.
However, the only people now with enough money to purchase them are military customers. Thats why almost all of the UAVs out there are military ones.
Re:So what? (Score:2, Interesting)
This is earth shattering the way everything in the industrial era is earth shattering. That is, it's the mass manufacture of an object with a more convenient packaging and simpler user experience. In this case, the more convenient packaging largely has to do with better avionics (the VTOLs can stay stationary in mid air even in heavy cross winds) and a much longer flight time (better batteries, something we've been building up to for some years).
Yes, a hobbyist could have built this crap 10 years ago, using off-the-shell parts, some machining equipment, and perhaps some state-of-the-art pieces here and there. But you (the user) had to have all that know-how yourself, including piloting. Now there's a market, not just in the aircraft itself but in support and piloting.