Drones are for more than aerial photography. Check out these fun facts about the many uses for unmanned crafts.
• Unmanned kites and balloons predate human flight by about 200 years.
• Drones were named “drones” because of the buzzing sound they made.
• They revolutionized warfare by being able to photograph and/or bomb enemies on a battlefield without risk to a pilot.
• Firefighters use drones to transmit video from a burning building, which improves situational awareness and ultimately saves lives.
• Lady Gaga made a grand entrance at her 2013 album release event on a battery-powered drone with six propellers.
• Cirque du Soleil uses drones in its production of Paramour on Broadway.
• Amazon Prime Air uses drones to deliver packages up to five pounds directly to your doorstep.
• Drones are used by wildlife conservationists for population monitoring of grey seals and many other species across the globe.
• Drone racing is a sport! Some pilots even use first person view (FPV) goggles, similar to virtual reality goggles, for a fully immersive flying experience.
• Today, hobbyists can purchase a drone for less than $100 for recreational use and photography.
• Kairos – Urban Aerial Solutions envisions a world where your daily commute can be by air. The company is designing an electric, automatic passenger air vehicle that may change the transportation game.
Drone technology will continue to evolve and be applied to new and exciting situations.
The large-scale exhibition Drones: Is The Sky The Limit? is currently on display at Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum, on Pier 86 in Manhattan. Visit www.intrepidmuseum.org to learn more.
