6 Arguments in Favor of the Commercial Use of Drones

image
Author: Lucas Eaves
Published: 06 May, 2013
Updated: 13 Oct, 2022
3 min read

commercial use of drones "Flying drone in the field"/ Shutterstock.com

The issue of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) -- more commonly known as drones -- has been highly disputed in the last year, not only for their military use abroad, but for their future commercial use in the United States. However, despite the legitimate concerns over the use of drones, here are 6 arguments in favor of the commercial use of drones:

1. Drones can revolutionize so many industries, especially agriculture

Drones can be used commercially in a broad number of areas: telecommunications, weather forecast, maritime monitoring, transportation, search and rescue, and oil and gas exploration to name a few. However, one of the industries that would benefit the most from commercial drones would be agriculture. Some consider that 80 percent of the industry's growth could come from precision farming, where drones could help farmers monitor crops in a more efficient and timely manner.

2. Using drones saves money

One of the reasons drones are likely to become very popular is the fact that they are not expensive. With many commercial drones being worth less than a $1000, they will become the most economically-sound solution in many industries.

In agriculture, for example, $300 UAVs can be used to check for disease and irrigation levels instead of $1,000-per-hour manned aircraft flyovers, according Chris Anderson, co-founder of drone manufacturer, 3D Robotics.

Many public agencies would also benefit from the economic impact of drones. Public entities such as emergency services, coast guard,  and law enforcement could offset budget reductions by using drones instead of the much more expensive helicopters for anything related to aerial monitoring.

3. Drones are more energy efficient

Drones have a much lower energy consumption than most other aerial vehicles. With oil prices rising and increasing efforts to reduce reliance of fossil fuels, drones would be very helpful in achieving this goal.

On May 2, the U.S. Navy  was given its first drone squadron. The video presentation of the drones highlighted how the use of the aerial vehicles fueled with biofuel would further the Navy's goal of becoming more energy efficient.

4. The drone industry will create jobs

Congress gave the FAA until 2015 to integrate Unmanned Aerial Vehicles into the National Airspace System. Once this is achieved, it is expected that up to 30,000 drones could populate U.S. airspace in the first years. The Association for Unmanned Vehicle Systems International (AUVSI) projects that the integration of drones would have an $82 billion economic impact between 2015-2025. During this period, the drone industry would create 100,000 jobs.

IVP Donate

5. States are passing laws to protect privacy rights

One of the main concerns over the commercial use of drones is their impact on privacy rights. This concern is being addressed by state legislatures around the country as 34 states are currently trying to pass legislation that would restricts the use of drones.

Drones will not be allowed in the national airspace before 2015, which will give states time to create the necessary legal framework.

6. The private sector will also find solutions to privacy concerns

The upcoming introduction of drones in the nation's airspace has already sparked reactions from private companies to find a system that will protect personal privacy. A startup company in Washington, D.C. is currently working on a device that would recognize the "acoustic signature" of a drone and would alert an individual when one is in their area. If laws are not able to ease concerns over privacy infringment, there will some private initiatives to fill the gap.

 

To discuss the pros and cons of the commercial use of drones in America, join IVN on Thursday, May 9, at 5pmPST/8pm EST for our Tweetchat on drones; follow and use the hashtag #IVNchat 

Latest articles

US map divided in blue and red with a white ballot box on top.
Could Maine Be the First State to Exit the National Popular Vote Compact?
On May 20, the Maine House of Representatives voted 76–71 to withdraw the state from the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact (NPVIC), reversing course just over a year after Maine became the 17th jurisdiction to join the agreement....
04 Jun, 2025
-
3 min read
New York City
Nine Democrats Face Off in NYC Mayoral Debate as Ranked Choice Voting, Cuomo Probe, and Independent Bid from Adams Reshape the Race
A crowded field of nine Democratic candidates will take the stage tonight, June 4, in the first official debate of the 2025 New York City mayoral primary. Held at NBC’s 30 Rock studios and co-sponsored by the city’s Campaign Finance Board, NBC 4 New York, Telemundo 47, and POLITICO New York, the debate comes at a pivotal moment in a race already shaped by political upheaval, criminal investigations, and the unique dynamics of ranked choice voting....
04 Jun, 2025
-
6 min read
Elderly woman sitting in wheelchair staring out window.
Three Reps Put Party Labels Aside to Strengthen U.S. Role in Global Fight Against Alzheimer’s
Two California members of Congress, Ami Bera, M.D. (D-CA-06) and Young Kim (R-CA-40), introduced a bill Wednesday with Republican Pennsylvania Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick aimed at bolstering the US's global role in the battle against Alzheimer’s disease. ...
04 Jun, 2025
-
3 min read