Ten questions concerning the use of drones in urban environments

Abstract

The backdrop to the rapidly expanding use of drones is described, including development of drone technology, followed by an overview of current civilian use, focusing on use in and around the urban environment. The inhibitors to further use are considered including technological and societal aspects. The operation and control issues are reviewed including autonomous or semi-autonomous operation. Issues of lack of regulation, safety, lack of endurance/payload, noise, inability to fly well in adverse weather are considered. Research into how these issues may be overcome is discussed and comparisons are drawn with how equivalent-sized natural flyers (bird and larger flying insects) cope within the urban environment are made. The paper concludes with an overview of possible and planned use in the urban environment.