The possible benefits to drone technology are staggering. Once people get over the fear and unknown of drones, they’ll soon realize there are many amazing ways humanity and even the planet can benefit. One such possible way is via replanting deforested areas. An article in Gizmodo features a company that proposes to plant one BILLION trees per year via drones.

Drones could be used to map the deforested area.  Then drones would deploy the seeds.

This idea by BioCarbon Engineering are just the tip of the iceberg. Drone technology and innovation is advancing at an incredibly rapid pace.  Embrace it.

Here’s a great article citing drones doing good, from Gizmag.  The article talks about how drones can reduce the cost of forest conservation.   I love seeing articles like this to help counterbalance the complete paranoia there is regarding drones.

I especially liked the part where they say that a $1500 drone could be used to replace LiDAR (short for light detection and ranging) flights, which can cost $20,000 PER FLIGHT!

High-end aerial and ground capturing solution pairs perfectly with the all-new CGO4 professional gimbal camera

LAS VEGAS (September 10, 2015) – Yuneec International, the world leader in electric aviation, today announced the launch of the Tornado H920 hexacopter and the CGO4 professional gimbal camera. The Tornado H920, the first release from the highly-anticipated Tornado series, is an aerial photography and videography platform designed with the professional user in mind.

The Tornado H920 aircraft features an ultra-lightweight carbon fiber frame, retractable landing gear, folding arms & 5-Motor failsafe mode, making it the solution of choice for professional users. The built-in capability to hold three rechargeable batteries provides consumers with a flight time of up to 42 minutes depending on payload.

Additionally, the Tornado H920 has several smart features that ensure safety and ease of use, which consumers have come to expect from Yuneec International products. Features such as Return-to-Home, auto landing and five-rotor flight safety are built into the Tornado system.

“The Tornado H920 has been specially designed for the high level photographer and is the perfect aerial photography solution for use in multiple verticals,” said Tian Yu, CEO of Yuneec USA. “Professional photographers will get a valuable tool that will help them with work opportunities such as inspections and project surveying and hobbyists alike will enjoy a remote hexacopter that can film everything from weddings to birthday parties to sporting events.”

The ST24 personal ground station, a 24-channel all-in-one transmitter, is powered by an Android operating system and features a 7-inch touchscreen that displays telemetry data and a built-in flight simulator. Consumers will also benefit from the GPS receiver that is the top of the line in its class.

The Tornado H920 is compatible with a variety of independent high-end professional aerial and ground capturing cameras including the all-new CGO4 gimbal camera. Specifically developed for the Tornado H920 copter, the CGO4 incorporates a true Panasonic GH4 micro four thirds camera sensor with a 3x optical zoom lens, an integrated 5.8 GHz video link module designed to capture the highest quality aerial photographic and video imagery, conveniently housed within a precise and ultra-stable 3-axis gimbal system.

Additionally, the Tornado H920 also pairs with Yuneec’s V18 professional gimbal stabilized camera with 18X optical zoom and for further convenience, the Tornado H920 is also compatible with the Panasonic GH4 and Sony A7Rii using the 360-degree panorama capable GB603 gimbal.

The ready-to-fly (RTF) Tornado H920 package includes a travel case, the ST24 personal ground station, Proaction grip for stable ground footage, two batteries and a premium two-port charger for the suggested retail price of $4999.99USD. Camera accessories are sold separately for additional costs. For more information visit www.yuneec.com.

About Yuneec International
Founded in 1999, Yuneec is the world leader in electric aviation. With hundreds of patents held, Yuneec’s core technologies power manned aircraft, Typhoon and Tornado drones and its market-leading line of radio controlled aircraft for the hobby market. With offices in North America, Europe and Asia, Yuneec manufactures over one million units a year that are sold under OEM/ODM brands as well as the Typhoon brand of multicopters. The company’s achievements include the introduction of the industry’s first “Ready to Fly” radio controlled electric powered airplane, and the design and manufacture of market-leading radio controlled helicopters and microcopters.