Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) or drones have been around for quite some time, but only in recent years have they become commercially available. But they have quickly become a part of many people’s everyday lives, and soon drones will become a staple the world over, says aviation expert Scott Beale. Below is how drone technology will affect lives in the 2020s.
Studies conducted by the FAA forecast that drones will reach as much as 7 million by next year. These UAVs will rule the skies, with 2.7 million of the said number being made commercially available. This is a staggering amount, given that there are only between 26,600 and 39,000 planes on the planet today.
By 2024, the worldwide commercial drone market is seen to reach 17 billion, a huge leap from its current photography and video application. This is because drones will find increased use in various other industries such as construction, real estate, and agriculture. In this sense, many job opportunities will shift from labor-intensive ones to more analytical work.
It must be mentioned that while drones are still associated with military use, this will change drastically this coming decade. Moreover, drones will not necessarily be used for delivery purposes, with less than one percent of commercial drones predicted to service the shipping industry. Most importantly, future drones will be able to help to save lives and reduce accidents by eradicating mundane work like roof inspections, adds Scott Beale.
Scott Beale was the CEO, President, and founder of Flightworks, Inc. He was responsible for expanding FlightWorks from a $1.5-million-dollar business when he purchased it in 2000 to a $90-million enterprise when he sold the business in 2010. More on Mr. Beale’s work and career here.
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