P4 VTOL UAV - AVIATION CONCEPT
The versatility that UAVs or drones offer makes them extremely valuable to four industries: military, consumer goods, transportation, and agriculture. Functioning either by remote control or onboard computers, the increasing development of autonomous technologies is a boon to the drone patent landscape.
The first documented use of UAVs dates back to the mid-1800s when Austrian forces attacked the city of Venice using an estimated 200 explosives-filled balloon carriers. Since then, drones have been deployed primarily in a military context. With a history of technological advancements upgrading the efficiency of UAVs from World War II to the present, international interest in drone technology has led to its increased usage in commercial fields.
With the commercial potential of drone technology gaining recognition, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued the first commercial drone permits in 2006. The introduction of commercial drone permits increased the potential scope of usage for consumer drones and helped pave the way for innovation. One noteworthy innovative use of commercial drone technology was Amazon’s proposed delivery system by drone introduced in 2013. After the introduction of commercial drone permits, commercial drone usage expanded to industries such as agriculture, real estate, sports, security, and insurance.
Advancements in both the underlying technology and ancillary functions have opened the doors for even more UAV innovation. Recreational, commercial, and military drones have seen upgrades such as advanced navigation systems, increased range, data storage, and surveillance systems. The exponential growth of UAV technology has led to a surge in drone patent filings. New and existing patent filings may offer a glimpse into a future with new uses for drone technology, whether through autonomous drone taxis or indoor assistant drones.