ABSTRACT
Commercial and industrial applications of drones are delivering very significant economic benefits to corporations and organisations utilising drones and to the economies in which they are deployed. There are also substantial and growing rewards accruing to drone manufacturers, software makers and associated commercial enterprises. However, for many the real benefits lie in the benefits to society, the humanitarian applications, the delivery of medical supplies or the pleasure of flying a drone as a hobby or sport.
This chapter focuses upon the substantial contributions of drones in relation to healthcare and humanitarian efforts. It also considers their extensive use and enjoyment by the public at large in recreational environments. In these diverse contexts, they deliver benefits to society and to the community at large that augment their more commercial and industrial applications. Facilitating access to remote areas, maintaining social distancing in the COVID-19 pandemic context, monitoring health and replenishing stocks in a timely manner with medical supplies are all growing priorities for governments globally.
Drones are also proving to be invaluable in improving disaster response and relief operations by helping to ensure that those operations can be conducted safer, faster and more efficiently. They are also able to assist with risk assessment, mapping and planning to reduce the impact of natural disasters when they occur.
This chapter, by providing these insights, gives further context to the delicate balancing act regulators must perform to ensure that regulatory requirements imposed upon drone use are commensurate with the risks they pose and are not so heavy-handed as to stifle their deployment in areas such as the provision of medical services and disaster relief.
