Businesses across the world are beginning to see how drones can transform their operations.

With a wide variety of uses, they are fast becoming an incredibly common investment across several industries. They allow businesses to streamline their practices, cut costs and make more accurate decisions – so long as they remain safe and secure.

In this article, we explore how drones are being used in service industries today and how they are set to transform these markets in the coming years. Plus, we highlight the need for the right security options and share which Zygology Ltd-stocked products can ensure your drone project goes smoothly.

How are drones being used today?

From delivery to agriculture, military, video and construction, drones are used across many industries for many different purposes.

Drones are being used to inspect sites, conduct scientific research, capture video content and even for military operations.

Here are some examples of how drones are being applied in service industries today, and what makes them suitable for these uses:

The concept of drone delivery has been common knowledge for many years now. But what was once considered futuristic is now a reality.

Amazon’s Prime Air drone delivery service, launched in 2022, is one of the most high-profile examples of drone delivery being integrated into mainstream services.

However, competitors such as Wing, from Google’s parent company Alphabet, are now also operating in the US, Australia, Ireland and Finland, and Walmart partner Zipline, working in the US, Japan and Africa, have made thousands more deliveries.

Initially operating solely with smaller drones, Wing now uses larger models to handle heavier deliveries. Zipline drones are even being used to deliver life-saving supplies to doctors, primarily in Rwanda and Ghana.

It’s safe to say that drone delivery isn’t just a trend, with Alphabet and Amazon announcing plans to expand drone delivery operations in the UK. Statista has also reported that the global drone delivery market is set to grow from $1.68 billion in 2023 to $4.35 billion in 2027.

Drones are also becoming popular within agriculture, providing smart solutions to help farmers run their operations more smoothly.

The most common uses include surveying, mapping, crop health monitoring and disease detection. As populations increase and climate change continues to make an impact, drones are a sustainable, efficient way to streamline such processes.

The use of drones in agriculture isn’t set to slow down either, with MarketsandMarkets reporting that the agriculture drones market is set to grow at a CAGR (compound annual growth rate) of 31.5% from 2023 to 2028, reaching a value of $17.9 billion.

Several construction site tasks can be completed with greater speed and accuracy and less expense with the use of drones.

As with the agricultural industry, construction companies can use drones to survey and measure sites. They can also be useful for 3D modelling, construction mapping and risk and safety management.

And, just as in other industries, drones aren’t going anywhere.

According to Straits Research, the use of drones in global construction is set to reach $15.76 million by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 15.57% from 2022.

Using drones for these tasks can help construction teams gain clarity over their processes, streamline day-to-day operations, reduce timelines and save costs.

How Zygology can support drone projects

One drawback when it comes to using drones is the potential for theft and vandalism. With the use of drones set to increase in many industries, the need for a robust security solution is more pressing than ever.

The right access solutions are essential for drones to be integrated further into service industries. Thanks to innovative access solutions from manufacturers like Southco, the future of drones in service industries looks bright.

At Zygology, we stock a full catalogue of Southco’s locks and latches, plus their Bluetooth-enabling remote access locks, triggered through the Keypanion™ app.

Other suitable Southco products might include:

• Electronic latches, most of which can be operated remotely, are useful for delivery drones and releasing ordnance
• Captive fasteners can be used for quickly securing access panels and battery covers
• Cam latches add compression to closures, ensuring there are no rattles and that required pressure is applied to door seals and gaskets
• Friction hinges eliminate the need for secondary stays such as gas struts

If you’re embarking on or currently working on a drone project, do get in touch to see how Zygology can help.