Mobile IoT Developing Drone Technology

Many of the most familiar use cases for the IoT involve stationary sensors and machines. As IoT adoption has grown, however, its applications have become more diverse, with mobile connected devices becoming increasingly prominent. Perhaps the most recognizable mobile IoT application is drone technology.

Drones in and of themselves are not necessarily an IoT technology, but IoT connectivity takes them further. The introduction of connected sensors to these devices has expanded their functionality, leading to rising adoption in the commercial sector. Shipments of IoT-connected drones surpassed 351,000 in 2019, and experts predict they’ll pass one million by 2023.

As IoT drone adoption continues to rise, new use cases emerge. Thanks to the mobile IoT, drone technology is disrupting multiple industries.

Remote Monitoring and Security

By far, the largest use case for IoT-connected drones is remote monitoring, especially in the construction industry. Construction monitoring accounted for more than 141,000 drone shipments, almost half of the total across all industries. It‘s easy to understand why, too, given construction’s high risks and expenses.

Construction work is equally dangerous and time-sensitive, so worksite monitoring is crucial. With flight times as high as 90 minutes, IoT drones let stakeholders inspect or monitor projects without being physically present. As a result, these technologies help construction companies ensure safety and productivity while minimizing travel, saving money and promoting efficiency.

IoT drones’ success in the construction industry will likely spur other sectors to employ them as well. Companies could use drones to patrol buildings, supplementing their security teams. Autonomous, connected security drones have already emerged in the consumer sector, so their use in commercial settings is imminent.

Drones for Scientific Research

IoT connectivity has also made drones more fit for research applications. Effective research relies on efficient data collection, and the IoT’s primary benefit is its ability to gather and send data remotely. Combining this connectivity with remotely or even self-guided vehicles lets researchers investigate remote or hazardous settings safely.

Collecting measurements at sea, for example, can cost hundreds of millions of dollars between fuel and crew expenses. Rough conditions like high waves and strong currents can also make in-person research expeditions dangerous. Some researchers have started using wind-powered oceanic drones to gather data at sea instead, saving money and staying safe.

Drones can also make it easier for scientists to observe animals in the wild. These devices are far smaller and easier to camouflage than people, so they’re less likely to scare skittish species away. IoT connectivity lets researchers control them and gather data from further away, too, helping them access remote areas.

Efficient, Transparent Deliveries

Outside of drone technology, one of the most familiar instances of mobile IoT is supply chain tracking. While telematics sensors themselves may not be mobile, they move with shipments, providing needed visibility into logistics operations. Drones can take this a step further through expanding options for last-mile deliveries.

Drones can take packages to their destination to conserve truck space and shorten drivers’ routes. IoT connectivity could enable customers to track the location of the drone carrying their delivery in real-time, leading to higher customer satisfaction. As online ordering soars and logistics companies grow increasingly busy, these benefits are hard to ignore.

At least three companies, including Amazon and UPS, have already received FAA approval for operating delivery drones. As more companies embrace these technologies, e-commerce deliveries as a whole will become faster and more transparent. Further IoT implementation in these devices could enable predictive maintenance schedules, making these drone investments even more cost-effective.

The IoT Is Reaching New Heights

IoT technologies are making drones more versatile and valuable than ever before. Consequently, as more companies employ these devices, the IoT itself is growing, seeing use in a broader range of applications. IoT drone technology is already disrupting multiple industries, and there are plenty of opportunities still ahead.