Welcome to the Ambient Flight “Drones for Good” section.  Each week we will highlight a news item featuring drones doing something good, in an effort to counterbalance the negativity and paranoia drones are receiving in the press and in public opinion.

This article in the Duke Chronicle highlights the use of drones for marine lab studies in the recently opened Marine Conservation Ecology Unmanned Systems Facility.

“We’re interested in using these systems (drones) to go out and count animals, to study coastal habitats and obtain coastal imagery, to see how coastlines might be eroding, as well as for emergency response to maritime emergencies.” ~David Johnston – drone facility’s executive director and assistant professor of the practice of marine conservation ecology at The Nicholas School of the Environment.

The article (please read it) continues on saying the use of drones is much safer than the helicopters they used to use for the same research and that drones open up areas of research previously not accessible.  Additionally, “drones offer access to lower altitudes and tighter spaces and are particularly useful when studying endangered species, because loud planes or helicopters risk altering the animals’ behavior.”

This is great news and I can’t wait to see what findings and new information come as a result of this use of drones for good.

With the rampant paranoia and constant negative press drones (also known as UAV’s by many who prefer that name), I feel it is good to try and pump out some positive information about drones. Contrary to the uninformed people crying wolf, drones can do, will do, and ARE doing many great things across all sorts of industries. My goal with the new category DRONES FOR GOOD is to highlight, once every week or two, a story or way that a drone is doing good.

Drone beer delivery?  I’m all over that!  Can I put in a morning coffee order as well?

As of this writing I know of several fantastic applications drones are being used for, much more than the standard aerial photography and aerial video.  Drones are being used for mapping, agricultural needs, real estate, research, delivery of products, search and rescue, firefighting, law enforcement, wildlife preservation, and more.

Despite all these great applications and huge possibilities in the business world, the few morons who fly too close to airports, impede fire and rescue, or fly over their neighbor’s back yard without the neighbor’s permission are getting the bulk of the attention.

Ironically many of the same news outlets that are fueling the drone paranoia fire are using drones to deliver their product in more interesting ways.

Drones For Good

Welcome to the new topic here.  What ways can you think of which drones are doing good?