A drone, also known as an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) or unmanned aircraft system (UAS), is an aircraft that operates without a human pilot onboard. It can be controlled remotely by a human operator or fly autonomously using embedded software and sensors, often guided by GPS
. Drones vary in size and design but commonly feature multiple rotors (such as quadcopters with four propellers) or fixed wings. They generate lift through spinning propellers or forward motion over wings, and are powered by batteries or fuel. Control is typically maintained via radio signals or Wi-Fi from a remote controller, allowing operators to navigate, launch, and land the drone from the ground
. Originally developed for military purposes—such as reconnaissance, target practice, and combat missions—drones have expanded into numerous civilian and commercial applications. These include aerial photography and videography, agriculture (crop monitoring), environmental and weather observation, search and rescue, infrastructure inspection, delivery services, firefighting, and entertainment like drone racing
. In summary, a drone is a remotely piloted or autonomous flying robot designed for various tasks without requiring a pilot onboard, combining robotics and aeronautics to perform missions that can be too dangerous, difficult, or inefficient for manned aircraft
