Aerial photography and cinematography are among the most popular commercial applications of drones. Drones equipped with high-resolution cameras allow filmmakers, photographers, and marketers to capture stunning, panoramic views from the sky. This has revolutionized industries like real estate, where aerial footage of properties is now commonplace, as well as tourism and advertising.

Accidents with electricity, including electric shocks, fires due to overload and other discharges, reached the mark of 759 occurrences in the first half of 2021, according to recent data from the Brazilian Association for Awareness of the Dangers of Electricity (Abracopel). These data confirm a reality, that energy, whatever it is, is dangerous and can cause serious consequences.

In addition to technical challenges, the industry faces regulatory hurdles. As drone use expands, particularly in commercial sectors, ensuring compliance with local and international laws becomes more complex. Navigating these regulations, especially for businesses operating across borders, can be a time-consuming and expensive process.

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The innovative pre-arc time detection mode and ultra-fast actuation in a maximum of 300 microseconds has been introduced for the first time by Varixx. The Zyggot Arc, realizes this detection that eliminates the need for an electrical current reading to confirm the arc event. This is possible due to the detection by ultraviolet wave that also brings more reliability, because during the consolidation process of the initial stages of an electric arc, there is an abrupt increase of the ultraviolet wave in the air ionization stage.

On the positive side, drones can significantly reduce the environmental footprint of certain operations. In agriculture, for example, drones help farmers optimize the use of resources like water and fertilizers, leading to more efficient farming practices and less waste. Drones can monitor crops, assess soil health, and even apply pesticides with pinpoint accuracy, reducing the amount of chemicals that enter the environment.

When an electric current flows between two points where insulation loss and dielectric breakdown has happened, there is not only visible energy liberated. In this situation, many waves of different lengths occur. “For this phenomenon to happen, it is necessary to have two conductive electrodes, that is, two points with potential difference, and between them a gas or an insulator that suffers a dielectric breakdown capable of breaking the insulation producing a discharge", explains Castellane Ferreira Engineer and director of Varixx, manufacturer of solutions for power electronics.

The history of drone technology reveals an exciting journey from basic military applications to advanced, autonomous systems that are reshaping industries around the world. As the technology continues to evolve, drones are expected to play an even greater role in areas like smart cities, urban mobility, and environmental conservation.

"As a result, Zyggot's innovations are considered one of the best in the market, because they increase safety, minimize damage to equipment, and prevent risks involving the professional lives." Ferreira says.

Payload capacity is another challenge. Many drones are limited in the weight they can carry, restricting their use in industries that require heavy-lifting capabilities. Advances in lightweight materials and more powerful motors could address this limitation, but it remains an obstacle for widespread adoption in logistics and other fields.

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The economic impact of drone technology is profound, with the industry experiencing rapid growth across multiple sectors. Job creation is one of the most visible effects, with opportunities arising in drone manufacturing, software development, and operations. Additionally, pilot training and drone maintenance services have become essential as more businesses adopt drone solutions.

Internationally, regulations differ widely. In the European Union, for example, the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) implements a unified framework across member states. China, a major player in drone manufacturing and usage, has its own set of guidelines managed by the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC).

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One major technical hurdle is battery life. While improvements are being made, most drones still have limited flight times due to the constraints of current battery technology. Extending flight endurance is crucial for applications like long-distance deliveries and large-scale surveying.

Drones are also benefiting from advancements in battery technology, with longer flight times and more efficient energy consumption. Innovations like hydrogen fuel cells and solar-powered drones are pushing the boundaries of what drones can achieve in terms of endurance.

The Cold War period marked a major turning point in drone development. Both the United States and the Soviet Union recognized the value of UAVs for surveillance, reconnaissance, and intelligence gathering. During this era, drones became increasingly sophisticated, capable of longer flights and enhanced accuracy. The development of the Ryan Model 147 Lightning Bug by the U.S. during the Vietnam War is one example of a drone used for reconnaissance purposes, showcasing the growing reliance on unmanned vehicles in military operations.

While drones are now prevalent in commercial sectors, their origins are firmly rooted in military applications, and they continue to play a crucial role in defense strategies worldwide. Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicles (UCAVs), which are weaponized drones, have become a central component of modern military operations.

Finally, ethical concerns around the use of drones, especially in surveillance and military applications, continue to spark debate. The increasing autonomy of drones raises questions about accountability, privacy, and the potential misuse of technology in both civilian and defense contexts.

The integration of AI and machine learning into drones has significantly enhanced their capabilities. AI allows drones to process vast amounts of data in real time, making them more effective in tasks like object recognition, obstacle detection, and autonomous navigation. Drones equipped with AI can scan and analyze large areas quickly, identifying patterns and anomalies that would take humans much longer to detect.

Consumer drones, led by companies like DJI, became popular for capturing breathtaking aerial footage, leading to new ways of storytelling in the film and media industry. The rise of drone hobbyists also contributed to an increased demand for affordable and easy-to-operate drones.

Swarming technology is another significant innovation, enabling multiple drones to work together in a coordinated manner. This has applications in military operations, search and rescue missions, and entertainment, such as synchronized drone light shows.

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One such trend is the miniaturization of drones. Smaller, more compact drones are being developed for specialized tasks, such as indoor inspections, surveillance, and even medical purposes like delivering supplies within hospitals. These microdrones can navigate confined spaces, making them ideal for urban environments or areas with complex infrastructures.

This era also saw early interest in commercial drone applications, although their use outside of military contexts remained limited due to technological and regulatory challenges.

HOW TO MINIMIZE THE EFFECTS OF ELECTRIC ARC - In fact, companies used to provide protective clothing as a good way to minimize the effects of arc flash on electrical facilities workers. However, for operations in high-risk areas, often the level of protection of the PPE was not enough to protect these people's lives.

The origins of drones trace back to the early 20th century when nations began experimenting with unmanned aircraft for military purposes. These early devices were rudimentary, often unreliable, and primarily used as target practice for training fighter pilots. The concept of UAVs during this period was not widely adopted beyond this basic use case.

The faults that originate an electric arc are associated, in most cases, with phase-earth fault, which can suddenly evolve into a three-phase fault, and the most common causes of these faults are tool falls, accidental contact by maintenance personnel, corrosion or dust accumulation on conductors, aged insulators, and the presence of pests such as rats, snakes or other animals that come into contact with energized conductors, which can produce intense heat, explosions, pressure waves, and other effects. By releasing a large amount of energy in a short period of time, the electrical arc has come to be considered one of the main risks involving electricity.

Industries like logistics, agriculture, construction, and entertainment are seeing substantial cost savings and efficiency gains through the adoption of drone technology. For example, the ability to inspect infrastructure remotely, without the need for human labor or costly machinery, can result in significant financial benefits for companies.

In addition, 5G enhances long-distance control of drones, enabling them to operate in areas that are beyond the line of sight of their operators. This opens up new possibilities for drone delivery services, remote surveillance, and even urban air mobility systems like drone taxis.

In the United States, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) plays a key role in regulating drone operations. The FAA’s Part 107 regulations outline the rules for commercial drone pilots, including requirements for licensing, operational limits, and no-fly zones. These rules are crucial for maintaining safety, especially as the skies become increasingly crowded with both manned and unmanned aircraft.

The widespread adoption of drone technology has necessitated the development of regulatory frameworks to ensure safety, privacy, and proper airspace management. Globally, drone laws vary, with some countries encouraging drone use while others impose strict restrictions.

One of the most rapidly expanding sectors in the drone industry is commercial services. Drones are now employed in various industries for tasks that were once time-consuming, dangerous, or impossible to complete with traditional methods.

Simultaneously, government bodies worldwide began implementing regulations to manage the widespread use of drones, ensuring safety, privacy, and airspace management.

Drones in the military are used for several purposes, including intelligence gathering, surveillance, reconnaissance, and combat missions. These drones can operate in hostile environments where it would be too risky to send human pilots. One example is the U.S. MQ-9 Reaper, a drone capable of carrying out precision airstrikes while also gathering real-time intelligence.

Electric energy is a risk, not only for the lives of employees working in the area, but also for the entire infrastructure of a company and also for its corporate image associated with the bad exposure resulting from accidents at work. Therefore, pay attention to the sign and take preventive measures, so that they do not need to be applied after an accident has happened.

In environmental conservation, drones are invaluable for monitoring wildlife populations, tracking deforestation, and mapping ecosystems in ways that are less intrusive than traditional methods. Conservationists can use drones to gather crucial data while minimizing human impact on fragile environments.

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One of the most anticipated advancements is the use of drones in delivery systems. Companies like Amazon and UPS are testing drone delivery programs to speed up the delivery process and reduce logistical costs, especially in rural or hard-to-reach areas.

Perhaps one of the most futuristic developments is the concept of drone taxis and urban air mobility. Companies like Volocopter and Uber Elevate are working on aerial transportation systems that could carry passengers across cities, reducing congestion on roads. While this concept is still in the experimental stage, advancements in battery life, AI, and flight control systems are bringing the vision of airborne public transport closer to reality.3

The electric arc can generate a heat so intense that it reaches up to 20,000 °C, a temperature higher than that supported by any known material. Therefore, it can also cause irreparable damage to machines, equipment and the environment, causing economic losses and socio-environmental responsibility.

Drones, also known as unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), have transformed the way industries operate, military strategies unfold, and consumers engage with new technologies. These flying machines, which operate without a human pilot onboard, have experienced rapid technological advancements over the years, evolving from rudimentary devices to sophisticated tools that can handle complex tasks autonomously. Their role has expanded from military reconnaissance missions to revolutionizing fields like agriculture, healthcare, logistics, and entertainment. Understanding the history of drone technology helps in appreciating its current innovations and imagining the future possibilities.

In addition to privacy concerns, airspace management poses another challenge. Low-altitude air traffic management systems are being developed to safely integrate drones into national airspace alongside traditional aircraft. These systems will need to address collision avoidance, real-time communication, and the safe operation of multiple drones in congested environments.

Ecological monitoring via drones has become a powerful tool in tracking the health of forests, coral reefs, and other natural habitats. Drones equipped with thermal imaging cameras can track species’ movements, monitor deforestation rates, and even detect poaching activities in protected areas.

In environmental conservation, drones are used to monitor wildlife populations, track illegal logging, and survey endangered habitats. They provide a non-intrusive way to gather data over large areas, helping researchers and conservationists protect ecosystems and biodiversity.

Despite these benefits, drones also have potential environmental downsides. Noise pollution is one concern, particularly when drones are used in large numbers in populated areas. Drones can disturb wildlife, especially in sensitive ecosystems where noise or the presence of foreign objects can disrupt natural behaviors.

As the CEO of Flyeye.io, Jacob Stoner spearheads the company's operations with his extensive expertise in the drone industry. He is a licensed commercial drone operator in Canada, where he frequently conducts drone inspections. Jacob is a highly respected figure within his local drone community, where he indulges his passion for videography during his leisure time. Above all, Jacob's keen interest lies in the potential societal impact of drone technology advancements.

Another critical commercial application is infrastructure inspection. Drones are deployed to inspect bridges, pipelines, power lines, and wind turbines. They can reach difficult-to-access areas, reducing the need for human workers to engage in potentially hazardous tasks. This not only increases safety but also allows for quicker, more cost-effective inspections.

Another significant trend is the integration of drones into smart city infrastructure. In the future, drones could play a key role in urban management, from monitoring traffic and pollution levels to delivering goods and services efficiently. Drones equipped with sensors could also help in maintaining public safety by detecting hazards or responding to emergencies.

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Despite these challenges, the defense sector continues to invest heavily in drone technology, developing more advanced autonomous systems that can operate with minimal human oversight.

During World War I, the development of the first operational drones began. These early designs, such as the Kettering Bug, were designed to act as “flying bombs,” meant to deliver explosives over enemy lines. However, their unreliability and lack of precision made them impractical for widespread use. The advancements in drone technology during World War II were more significant, with further development in remote-controlled devices like the radio-controlled aircraft used for target practice and surveillance.

The 21st century brought about a significant evolution of drones from strictly military devices to versatile tools in various commercial and consumer markets. The use of drones expanded rapidly across sectors such as entertainment, filmmaking, and aerial photography. Innovations in camera technology, GPS, and battery life fueled this growth, making drones more accessible and user-friendly for the general public.

The use of drones in military operations raises several ethical and legal issues. The increasing autonomy of drones, coupled with their use in combat situations, has sparked debates over autonomous weapons systems and the implications for international law and warfare ethics. While drones reduce the risk to military personnel, they also raise concerns about accountability and the potential for unintended civilian casualties.

The regulatory standard NR-10, Safety in Facilities and Services in Electricity, presents a set of measures that if put into practice reduce the possibility of a worker suffering the consequences of an electric arc. From de-energizing the panel to the use of CPEs and PPEs, collective and individual protection measures that help to prevent an electric arc from happening, or to minimize its consequences.

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In this way, much research has brought technical information on how we can reduce the effects of arc flash or how we can reduce the incident energy generated by this event. For a long time, researchers have developed the pyramid of control hierarchy with a step-by-step approach to reduce and protect people in electrical substations or other high-risk areas. Eliminating the risks is the first step. The second is to replace old equipment with newer, higher-performance equipment, efficients and reliable, which is applied for circuit protection and opening systems, such as a circuit breaker, for example. After these, the next step is the engineering analysis and the last step is the PPE specification.

Navigation in GPS-denied environments also poses a challenge for drones. While GPS is critical for drone navigation, it is unreliable or unavailable in certain environments, such as dense urban areas, underground, or indoors. Developing alternative navigation systems, such as computer vision or inertial navigation systems, is a priority for expanding drone operations.

The advent of 5G networks is transforming drone technology by enabling faster, more reliable communication between drones and control centers. 5G’s high-speed data transmission allows for real-time video streaming, improving the accuracy of remote operations.

The growing use of drones in delivery services, particularly in rural areas or during emergencies, has the potential to transform the logistics industry by cutting delivery times and lowering costs. Companies investing in drone fleets are exploring innovative ways to integrate drones into their supply chains, from last-mile delivery solutions to warehouse management.

Despite the rapid advancements in drone technology, several challenges remain that could affect the future growth of the industry.

Recent advancements in drone technology have focused on improving autonomy, intelligence, and endurance. Autonomous drones are capable of operating with minimal human intervention, thanks to advances in artificial intelligence (AI). AI allows drones to make real-time decisions, navigate complex environments, and perform tasks like object recognition and obstacle avoidance.

Healthcare is another area where drones are making a difference. Drones are being deployed to deliver medical supplies, vaccines, and even blood samples to remote or disaster-stricken areas. In regions where infrastructure is lacking, drones can provide life-saving support quickly and efficiently.

About engineering analysis control, Ferreira, claims that among the existing measures are protection systems that detect electrical arcs through ultraviolet waves produced in the initial stage of arc ionization. These systems are able of opening circuit breakers and shutdown quickly after identifying an arc in anticipation, acting in an ultra-fast time. Therefore, reducing the incident energy on electrical facilities and substation.

"In addition, the emitted light and the frequency spectrum of the electric arc include ultraviolet ray radiation, which can cause damage to the ocular retina of a human being," Ferreira explains.

Among the various risks offered by electrical energy, the electric arc stands out as one of the most dangerous for operators and those involved in electrical maintenance. Because of to the large amount of energy released and the high temperatures generated by this phenomenon, workers can suffer serious burns or even risk of death. Also, its effects are even broader, as toxic metal fumes, projection of molten metal, intense light and a pressure wave are generated.

Despite these regulations, challenges remain. One significant issue is privacy, as drones can capture images and data without the knowledge of those being filmed. This has led to concerns about surveillance and data security, especially in urban areas where drones may inadvertently record sensitive information. As a result, many countries are working on balancing the benefits of drones with privacy protections.

Beyond military and commercial uses, drones are making a profound impact across various industries. In agriculture, drones are being used for precision farming, where they help monitor crop health, assess soil conditions, and even apply pesticides more efficiently. This technology enables farmers to manage their fields more effectively, leading to increased yields and reduced costs.

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Machine learning algorithms help drones improve over time, learning from previous flights to optimize their performance. This is particularly important for predictive maintenance, where drones monitor their own condition and report issues before they become critical, reducing downtime and repair costs.

Drones offer several environmental benefits, particularly in industries such as agriculture, conservation, and infrastructure. However, like all technologies, they also come with their own set of environmental challenges.

“Daily here at Varixx, industries or companies of all sizes and diferents business segments come to us to report events involving electrical arcs. Many times, these same industries wait until something really serious to happen before they start acting, and when something of this level happens, electrical substations with several electric panels and switchgears are destroyed, impacting the production process and, even more drastic, taking people’s lives”, comments Ferreira.

Given this information, it is necessary to consider possible situations that can cause risks such as those mentioned above and to know the best way to deal with them, in case of an electric arc occurs.

There are also concerns about the energy consumption of drones, especially those powered by traditional lithium-ion batteries. While advancements are being made in drone efficiency, the environmental impact of battery production and disposal remains an issue.

In addition to photography, drones are widely used for mapping and surveying. Using LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) technology, drones can generate highly accurate 3D maps and models of large areas. This is particularly useful in construction, mining, and land development, where surveying the terrain is essential for planning and resource management.