This post is also available in:
עברית (Hebrew)
Most of the time, the use of the term UAV puts forth an immediate association to an unmanned aerial vehicle being used for military purposes alone. Lately, however, it seems that mankind has begun to understand that aerial platforms can do more than gathering intelligence and attacking targets in a military framework – they can also assist greatly to people in emergency and rescue, and at a much lower cost than it takes to operate manned aerial vehicles. Authorities in Texas, U.S. have successfuly used an UAV during their operation in the state’s flooding disaster last May, and after it was indeed deemed successful, more consideration is being put to using UAVs for rescue operations to be done more quickly and efficiently.
Taner Drake, a fire chief that took part in the emergency forces’ activity said that the vehicle has proved itself beyond all expectations. “It just opened everybody’s eyes that we had video footage of stuff we’d have to pay thousands and thousands of dollars to get”, he added. By using information from the UAV, the forces operated with better quality and better deployed the team on the job. Using aerial vehicles like this saves time and money but also, and mosly, allows emergency forces to avoid needlessly risking their lives.
The flying of unmanned aerial platforms is under strict restrictions in fear of breaking civilians’ privacy rights, but a worthy use of the vehicle’s capabilites can highly benefit the civilian society. Even today options are being explored as to how UAVs can be integrated into civilian fields, such as ranches or tracking wildlife population. In an experiment conducted for this reason, an aerial platform carrying infra-red cameras was flown in purpose of checking the system’s ability to monitor wildlife.
For more details on the event.
