Significance of drone technology for achievement of the United Nations sustainable development goals

Abstract

Th e drone technology, which originated in military applications, is now widely used for commercial, professional, industrial and private purposes. Applications of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), commonly known as drones, include diff erent sectors of economy, for example, agriculture, transport, infrastructure, entertainment, and telecommunications. Not only are drones eco-friendly gadgets that allow to reduce the amount of carbon dioxide emissions, but they are also time-and cost-effi cient. Th us, drones can prove to be a major force for good as they hold massive potential for being used to meet the sustainable development goals (SDGs) set by the United Nations Organization and adopted in 2015. Developing countries, for instance those of Sub-Saharan Africa, are facing famine, epidemic diseases, poverty and other challenges. All these problems can be addressed with the help of the drone technology. Th e main objective of this paper is to identify the sectors that are most likely to be infl uenced by the drone technology and to highlight the scenarios in which this technology can infl uence the achievement of the SDGs. One of the most promising spheres in this respect is the usage of drones as delivery vehicles in agriculture, e-commerce, and health care. Moreover, drones can be eff ective for monitoring and surveillance in international and domestic law enforcement, wildlif e preservation and scientifi c research.

Business model options for passenger urban air mobility

“…Opening lower airspace for economic exploitation is expected to provide a considerable impetus for academia, technology development and economic growth [ 37 , 38 ] in both the military and civil sector [ 39 ]. Current key drivers for the civil market are commercial drone applications in sensor technology and communication, however, the market size for passenger carrying VTOL vehicles and related services is considered to excel its value in the long term [ 40 ].…”

Communicating needs for robots in a developing economy and national development : a case of Nigeria

“…Drones can be controlled either remotely by human operator or by a board computer and can be used to launch or prevent attack. Drones are applied in different sectors of economy such as agriculture, transport, infrastructure, entertainment and telecommunications (Kitonsa & Kruglikov, 2018). The two scholars further posit that the problems which face developing countries such as sub-Saharan African which include famine, epidemic diseases, poverty among others can be addressed with the help of drone technology.…”

Applications of Uncrewed Aerial Vehicles (UAV) Technology to Support Integrated Coastal Zone Management and the UN Sustainable Development Goals at the Coast

“…In recent years, satellite-based Earth Observation (EO) products have become more accessible and widely used to address coastal and marine management issues, with opportunities to support the SDGs and other initiatives highlighted by Politi et al ( 2019 ). The data requirements to deliver progress towards these conventions are substantial (Politi et al 2019 ), but UAV technology can play a role in helping to deliver those requirements (Kitonsa and Kruglikov 2018 ). However, such opportunities offered by UAV platforms are yet to be fully explored or exploited compared to traditional EO products.…”