ABSTRACT
This chapter provides a brief overview of the applications and deployment of drones in a variety of commercial and industrial contexts-the oil and gas industry, mining, construction, agriculture, transport and asset and infrastructure inspections. In all of these areas and numerous other commercial contexts, drones are enhancing efficiency and delivering value to the economy.
There are regulatory barriers to realising the full potential of drones in some regions and applications-principally driven by safety considerations and discussed in detail in Part D of this book.
By providing an insight into the wide diversity of commercial and industrial applications, this chapter provides context to the regulatory framework that is appropriate to manage the risks associated with drone use. Remote pipeline inspections in isolated regions, as opposed to urban food deliveries or taxi services in city environments, engender significantly different safety and regulatory considerations, and any assessment of safety and risk must be balanced against the economic rewards of using drones.
