The Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) represents an aircraft that operates without the need for human pilots on board.

Over the past few decades, the development of UAVs has achieved remarkable progress, finding widespread applications in civilian, and commercial sectors.

Definition of UAV

UAVs are aircraft that execute flight missions without the necessity of carrying personnel. They accomplish their tasks through the utilization of remote control equipment, preset routes, or autonomous flight.

UAVs have broken free from the constraints of traditional aircraft, eliminating the requirement for human presence, and are characterized by flexibility, efficiency, and safety. They come in various forms, such as fixed-wing, rotary-wing, and multi-rotor aircraft, each serving different purposes.

Classification of UAV

1. Classification by Use

Civilian Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAS): Encompasses aerial photography, search and rescue, scientific research, and environmental monitoring.

Commercial UAV: Primarily employed in logistics, express delivery, agriculture, and construction.

2. Classification by Flight Mode

Fixed-wing UAV: Resembling traditional aircraft, it boasts high speed and extended endurance, suitable for large-scale aerial monitoring tasks.

Rotary-wing UAV: Similar to a helicopter, it can vertically take off and land, ideal for low-altitude hovering tasks.

Multi-copter Aircraft: Including four-copter, six-copter, eight-copter, etc., known for their flexibility and straightforward control, widely utilized in aerial photography and short-distance logistics.

3. Classification by Autonomy

Fully Autonomous Drone: Possesses the capability for autonomous route planning, obstacle avoidance, and flight control without manual intervention.

Semi-Autonomous UAV: While some tasks may require manual intervention, they still exhibit certain autonomous flight capabilities.

Principle of UAV

1. Power System

Electric UAV: Utilize batteries or fuel cells as a clean and low-noise power source.

Fuel UAV: Employ internal combustion engines or turbine engines, offering prolonged endurance and increased payload capacity.

2. Flight Control System

Inertial Navigation System: Utilizes sensors like gyroscopes and accelerometers for precise flight control.

GPS Navigation System: Leverages the global positioning system for navigation, providing accurate positioning information.

3. Communication System

Remote Control Communication: Enables real-time control through ground stations or remote control devices.

Data Link Communication: Facilitates the transmission of flight data, images, and other information through data links.

Application Fields of UAV

1. Civil Applications

Aerial Photography and Videography: Employed in aerial photography, film production, and urban planning.

Search and Rescue: Execute search and rescue missions during natural disasters or accidents.

Environmental Monitoring: Used to monitor environmental parameters like air quality and vegetation coverage.

2. Commercial Applications

Logistics and Express Delivery: Employed for short-distance cargo transportation to enhance logistics efficiency.

Agriculture: Utilized for farmland monitoring, plant protection spraying, etc., to improve agricultural production efficiency.

Technical Characteristics of UAV

1. Perception and Obstacle Avoidance Technology

Visual Recognition: Utilizes cameras and image processing technology for target recognition.

LiDAR: Employed for ranging and terrain detection, enhancing flight safety.

2. Autonomous Flight Technology

Path Planning: Utilizes algorithms to plan optimal flight paths and avoid obstacles.

Autopilot: Achieves fully autonomous flight, reducing the burden on operators.

3. Load Technology

High-Precision Sensors: Utilized to obtain accurate environmental information.

Real-Time Communication System: Ensures real-time transmission and processing of data.

As an innovative form of aviation, UAVs will continue expanding their application fields with ongoing technological development, playing an increasingly vital role in disaster relief, commercial logistics, and beyond.

However, it is imperative to address concerns such as privacy and security in drone usage, fostering the creation and enhancement of pertinent laws and regulations to guarantee the safe and judicious use of UAVs.