Technology Trends/Drones
|
|||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Status | Published | ||||||
Initial release | July 4, 2019 | ||||||
Latest version | July 4, 2019 | ||||||
Official publication | Drones.pdf | ||||||
|
Drone is the common name given to an aircraft piloted without a human on-board, but other names include unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV), unmanned aircraft systems (UASes) or uncrewed aerial vehicle (UAV). This technology is defined as a flying robot that can be controlled remotely by a ground-based operator with a system of communication between the two or that is able to fly completely autonomously. Drones feature several sensors and navigation systems such as a dual global navigation satellite system, collision avoidance systems, gyroscopic stabilization, etc. Drones are another example of a technology that originates from the military as they provide a safer alternative for humans. They have since taken over the consumer market with inexpensive models for recreational purposes and with expensive models for professional aerial cinematographers.
Business Brief
While drones can be referred to by various names , Transport Canada uses the technical term Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA). An RPA is defined as a navigable aircraft, other than a balloon, rocket, or kite that is operated by a pilot who is not on board.
Essentially, a drone can be considered a flying computer that can be remotely controlled or fly autonomously through the use of software working in conjunction with various sensors. Transport Canada uses the term ‘drone’ interchangeably with RPAS. Transport Canada classifies drones by weight into three basic groups, namely:
- Drones under 250 grams,
- Drones from 250 grams up to and including 25 kilograms, and
- Drones over 25 kilograms.
Transport Canada advises that drones weighing less than 250 grams (approx. ½ lbs.), also referred to as micro drones, must be “flown responsibly”.
A pilot certificate is not required to operate a micro drone.
Operators/pilots must obtain a drone pilot certificate for drones that weigh between 250 grams and 25 kg (approx. 55 lbs.). There are two types of pilot certificates available from Transport Canada and they are based on categories of operation. For example, a pilot conducting basic operations must always fly more than 30 m away from bystanders and only in uncontrolled airspace – requiring a basic operations certificate. A pilot conducting advanced operations may fly less than 30 m from and over bystanders and in controlled airspace – requiring an advanced operations certificate.
Additionally, drones that weigh over 25 kilograms require special permission (i.e. a special flight operations certificate) from Transport Canada before they are flown.
Drones can come in a wide variety of sizes and have just as many capabilities. For example, the United States Air Force uses large drones the size of normal manned aircraft
Technology Brief
Drones, and the technology related to drones, are constantly evolving as new innovation and investment lead to advancements. A typical drone is made of light composite materials to reduce weight and increase maneuverability.
Drones can be equipped with additional technology such as various types of cameras, Global Positioning System (GPS), lasers, various types of sensors, and even weapons. Drones can also operate with various degrees of autonomy, either under remote control by a human operator/pilot or autonomously by on-board computers.
Drones can contain a multitude of technology, including:
- Satellite Positioning – the use of Global Navigational Satellite Systems (GNSS) such as GPS to aid in drone navigation.
- Obstacle Detection and Collision Avoidance – vision systems use obstacle detection sensors (e.g. ultrasonic, infrared, etc.) to scan surroundings in order to avoid objects.
- Gyro Stabilization, Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU) and Flight Controller – these technologies are components that work together in order to give drones their smooth flight capabilities.
- Smartphone App featuring Ground Control System Function – many drones can be flown from a smartphone app connected to the drone via Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, or over cellular networks like 4G (LTE) or 5G.
- Cameras and Live Video Transmission – a video camera mounted on a drone can have the ability to broadcast live video to the operator/pilot on the ground.
- Drones with Sensors – can be used to create 3D models of buildings, landscapes, etc., to collect and provide precision data to users.
- Drone Security – in some ways drones are like flying computers and as such are susceptible to hacking and other cyber-attacks or interference.
Industry Use
According to a 2016 report by Goldman Sachs Research, between 2016 and 2020, the market opportunity for drones is forecast to grow to $100 billion.
A 2017 market analysis report on drones by Business Insider (BI) Intelligence identified that the market for commercial and consumer drones will grow at a compound annual growth rate of 19% between 2015 and 2020, compared with 5% growth for the military market. BI Intelligence expects sales of drones to surpass $12 billion in 2021. That is up by a compound annual growth rate of 7.6% from $8.5 billion in 2016. BI Intelligence predicts future growth across the consumer, commercial, and government markets. The report concludes that the commercial market will be the segment that drives the industry.
The largest producer of drones for the consumer market is the Chinese-based company DJI Technologies Co. In 2017, DJI accounted for over 70% of the consumer drone market with revenues of approximately $2.7 billion.
Within the Canadian marketplace, Unmanned Systems Canada (USC) –a not-for-profit organization, acts as the national industry association representing entrepreneurs, businesses, students, academia, industry, and government organizations working in the aerial, ground, and marine remotely-piloted and unmanned vehicle systems sector.
Canadian Government Use
Drones offer almost endless use in their application to public service operations. From performing regular safety inspections on infrastructure such as roads, bridges, and power lines, to carrying out potentially life-saving public safety missions, the right drone can make all the difference in optimizing operations across a huge scope of different government uses.
Transport Canada estimates that the number of drones flown in Canada is approximately 193,500. By comparison, it is estimated that there are 37,000 aircraft in traditional aviation, including commercial passenger and cargo aircraft and general aviation aircraft in Canada.
The growing drone industry has significant economic potential for Canada, however, until recent years there has been no specific set of regulations in place to require the safe operation of drones in Canada.
Transport Canada recognized that in the absence of any regulatory change, risks to aviation and public safety would continue to rise in step with the growth in popularity of drones.
In an effort to address on-going issues, in January 2019, Transport Canada published new regulations for flying drones in Canada.
This will create a predictable and flexible regulatory environment conducive to long-term planning while reducing costly administrative burdens on businesses. The amendments are also intended to reduce risks to public safety through pilot certification and will also introduce drone safety-based manufacturing requirements intended for certain operations.
These new regulations are not intended to impede innovations in the use of drone technology, such as Amazon’s drone parcel delivery to residential areas. Transport Canada has indicated that these regulations do not touch upon privacy related issues since Canada already has in place laws that protect privacy.
Implications for Government Agencies
Value Proposition
Broadly speaking there are a number of value propositions in terms of drones and drone technology that federal organizations should be aware of, namely:
- Drones could offer improved monitoring:
- As video monitoring and analytics capabilities are growing, drones and drone technology has the potential to upend traditional modes of video surveillance. This could reduce installation costs and maintenance of traditional fixed systems. SSC should look to supporting drone technology as a means to improve/augment legacy systems.
- Drones could also become a new vehicle for data collection. Analysis of this new data gathered by drones could provide new perspectives and insights to government departments. SSC should consider how best to handle an increased volume of data.
- Drones could automate and augment physical security:
- The mobile nature of drones has its advantages over fixed physical security options. SSC should consider customer requests to upgrade existing systems that afford greater flexibility and reduced cost options.
With respect to the growth of drones and drone technology, there are a number of positive aspects to note for SSC. As the information technology (IT) infrastructure service provider for the Government of Canada, SSC is ideally positioned to capitalize on existing strengths and to seize opportunities.
Internal to SSC, the Department has an existing depth and breadth of IT expertise. SSC has over 5,800 employees, the majority of which are computer systems experts. These experts have specialized education, experience and training in various aspects of information technology and computer systems.
All combined, these positive elements position SSC nicely to face the challenges of delivering on future customer requests for drone support.
Requests from SSC’s customers for support of drones and drone technology has been minimal. Therefore, there is still time for SSC to begin to ramp-up for an increased demand for support from its customers. Additionally the nature of drone technology has the potential to generate efficiencies and reduce costs.
Challenges
Broadly speaking, there are a number of high-impact challenges in terms of drones and drone technology that federal organizations should be aware of, namely:
- Drones could be compromised:
- Drones are vulnerable to hackers and significantly increase the attack surface that organizations must defend. SSC should view drones as another integrated hardware and software endpoint that requires essential security controls, access management, monitoring, patching, and updating.
- Drones could crash and/or impact critical operations:
- With the increased use of drones, so too is there an increase in the number of drone crashes. SSC and its customers should be aware of the potential liabilities that can result from a drone incident and the potential impact on critical operations.
- Drones could create privacy concerns:
- There are numerous issues surrounding aerial surveillance and privacy rights. SSC and its customers should be aware of the legal and regulatory landscape and act in accordance with it.
With respect to the growth of drones and drone technology, there are also a number of negative aspects to note for SSC. Internal to SSC, the Department continues to face challenges related to the modernization of the Government of Canada’s IT infrastructure. The on-going replacement of aging IT systems could have an impact on SSC’s ability to deliver services.
Gartner (2018) has indicated that the growth of drone adoption will continue to be driven more by the establishment of clear regulations rather than by technology advancements. With Transport Canada’s 2019 announcement of new regulations for flying drones, it is expected that the rate of drone adoption within Canada will continue to increase.
Additionally there may also be challenges in terms of managing drone traffic. At this time, there does not exist a complete air traffic management solution (or a UTM system) that will keep drones and other aircraft from having accidents.
Considerations
Firstly, SSC should consider how the increased use of drones and drone technology will impact its role as an IT service provider for the Government of Canada.
SSC should consider how an increased demand in the use of drones might impact on its ability to deliver services. Should SSC support its customers in terms of the types of drones to procure or should SSC operate a drone-based on-demand service such as a Drones-as-a-Service (DaaS).
Secondly, SSC should pursue a coherent policy in terms of drone acquisition and use. A consistent approach, with space for customization, would enable customers to acquire and use drones while maintaining interoperability.
Thirdly, SSC may wish to consider what type of drone management platforms should be used across the Government of Canada.
Technologies will be required to facilitate drone operations using common or interoperable platforms.
Lastly, SSC should consider if additional or new security measures are required for drones that are connected to or interact with Government of Canada networks.
Additionally, SSC may need to consider how and to what degree support is required by customers in terms of drone countermeasures. Drone countermeasures are systems and devices designed to neutralize or retaliate against threats from drones.
Hype Cycle
This Gartner Hype Cycle report (2018) presents innovations in robotics and drones that will benefit organizations with two or more years of experience in the adoption of drones and mobile robots. Many platforms, technologies and components (such as semiconductors, sensors, motors and actuators, networks, software and algorithms and materials) that will improve the performance, costs and capabilities of these systems will development in other markets. However, there are still many challenges to overcome to improve drones, such as artificial intelligence, semiconductors and battery technology. As more and more countries establish regulations governing the operation of drones, Gartner anticipates that this will lead to an increase in the demand for drones that will continue to proliferate in many cases of use in the markets. Many of these drone technologies are still in the innovation phase and will not reach a more advanced threshold before 5 to 10 years (and in some cases more than 10 years).
English | Français |
---|---|
Figure 1. Hype Cycle Report for UAVs and Mobile Robots, 2018 | Figure 1. Rapport Hype Cycle pour les drones et les robots mobiles, 2018 |
expectations | Attentes |
Innovation Trigger | Déclencheur d’innovation |
Peak exaggerated expectations | Pic des attentes exagérées |
Gap of disillusionment | Gouffre de désillusionnement |
Slope of enlightenment | Pente de l’illumination |
Productivity tray | Plateau de productivité |
Time | Temps |
Sharing | Partage |
Airborne communications to deep waters | Communications aériennes jusqu’en eaux profondes |
Biotechnology - Culture or artificial fabrics | Biotechnologie – Tissus de culture ou artificiel |
Knowledge of robotics | Connaissances de la robotique |
UAV Traffic Management Systems | Systèmes de gestion du trafic des drones |
Lithium air batteries | Batteries au lithium air |
Supercapacitor microphone batteries | Batteries de micro supercondensateur |
Air aluminum batteries | Batteries à l’aluminium air |
Lithium ion batteries with semiconductors | Batteries au lithium ion à semi conducteurs |
Authentication of the Internet of Things | Authentification de l’Internet des objets |
Drone management platforms | Plates formes de gestion des drones |
Swarm robotics | Robotique en essaim |
Emotional artificial intelligence | Intelligence artificielle émotionnelle |
Interactive robotic interface | Interface interactive robotique |
Intermediate robotic software (eg, hardware robotic operating system) | Logiciel intermédiaire robotique (p. ex., système d’exploitation robotique matériel) |
Multi purpose room | Chambre multi objectifs |
Copper foam batteries | Batteries en mousse de cuivre |
Personal robot | Robot personnel |
5G | 5G |
3D georeferencing | Géorepérage en 3D |
Counter measures of drones | Contre mesures de drones |
Open Space Optical Communication | Communication optique à espace ouvert |
Smart robots | Robots intelligents |
Self-guided robots | Robots autoguidés |
Machine learning | Apprentissage machine |
3D detection cameras | Caméras de détection 3D |
Electro-mechanical MEMS technology scanning lidar with semiconductors | Lidar à balayage de technologie MEMS (microsystème électromécanique) à semi conducteurs |
Computer Vision | Vision par ordinateur |
Commercial unmanned aerial vehicles (drones) | Véhicules aériens sans pilote commerciaux (drones) |
Communication platforms lighter than air | Plates formes de communication plus légères que l’air |
Augmented reality | Réalité augmentée |
Sensor interconnection | Interconnexion des capteurs |
Micropiles with fuel | Micropiles à combustible |
As of July 2018 | En date de juillet 2018 |
The plateau will be reached: | Le plateau sera atteint : |
In less than 2 years | Dans moins de 2 ans |
In 2 to 5 years | Dans 2 à 5 ans |
In 5 to 10 years | Dans 5 à 10 ans |
In more than 10 years | Dans plus de 10 ans |
Out of date before the board | Désuet avant le plateau |
Source: Gartner (July 2018) | Source : Gartner (juillet 2018) |
References
- Borak, M. (2018, January 3). World’s top drone seller DJI made $2.7 billion in 2017. Retrieved from technode.
- Canada Gazette. (2017, July 15). Regulations Amending the Canadian Aviation Regulations (Unmanned Aircraft Systems). Retrieved from Gazette GC.
- Canada Gazette. (2018, December 20). Regulations Amending the Canadian Aviation Regulations (Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems): SOR/2019-11. Retrieved from Gazette GC.
- Corrigan, F. (2019, June 30). How Do Drones Work And What Is Drone Technology. Retrieved from DroneZon./
- Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC. (2016). Drones. Retrieved from Goldman Sachs.
- Maxim, M., & Schiana, S. (2017, May 30). Forrester's Guide to Drone Security Risks. Retrieved from Forrester.
- McNabb, M. (2017, July 13). Business Insider’s Latest Drone Industry Analysis. Retrieved from dronelife.
- Präsentiert, S. (2019). Drones As A Service. Retrieved from Dibbern Consulting.
- Wang, B. (2018, July 18). Hype Cycle for Drones and Mobile Robots, 2018. Retrieved from Gartner.