microdrones
Small unmanned aircraft
Microdrones are very small unmanned aerial vehicles, typically small enough to fit in a hand or pocket.
Military and surveillance applications dominate—microdrones can enter buildings, navigate tight spaces, and gather intelligence where larger drones cannot.
Some carry cameras; others carry small explosive charges.
The term also covers hobbyist quadcopters at the smallest end of the scale.
Four-rotor aerial vehicle
- sensorsDevices that detect input
- propulsionForce driving movement forward
- batteryPortable electricity storage
- rotorSpinning mechanical assembly
gyroscope · accelerometer · telemetry · firmware · autopilot · stabilization · aerodynamics · GPS
Information-gathering before action
- tacticalStrategically planned
- surveillanceSystematic observation of subjects
- combatArmed hostile engagement
- swarmMass of moving insects
deployment · intelligence · stealth · precision · battlefield · mission · airstrike · defense
Remain suspended midair
- maneuverDeliberate tactical movement
- navigateGuide through terrain
- pilotOne who steers aircraft
- altitudeMeasured height above reference
throttle · yaw · pitch · roll · ascend · descend · waypoint · autonomous
Ongoing observation of something
- trackingMonitoring location over time
- observationAttentive watching or remark
- privacyFreedom from observation
- spyingSecretly observing others
aerial photography · reconnaissance · inspection · mapping · border patrol · search and rescue · wildlife tracking · thermal imaging
Conveyance of goods
- agricultureCultivation of land, livestock
- inspectionFormal assessment of condition
- photographyCreating images from light
- cinematographyMotion picture visual craft
real estate · surveying · package delivery · warehouse · inventory · construction · event coverage · journalism
quadcopter
Four-rotor aerial vehicle
- sensorsDevices that detect input
- propulsionForce driving movement forward
- batteryPortable electricity storage
rotor · gyroscope · accelerometer · telemetry · firmware · autopilot · stabilization · aerodynamics · GPS · miniaturization
reconnaissance
Information-gathering before action
- tacticalStrategically planned
- surveillanceSystematic observation of subjects
- combatArmed hostile engagement
swarm · deployment · intelligence · stealth · precision · battlefield · mission · airstrike · defense · operation
hover
Remain suspended midair
altitude · throttle · yaw · pitch · roll · ascend · descend · waypoint · autonomous · formation
monitoring
Ongoing observation of something
- trackingMonitoring location over time
- observationAttentive watching or remark
- privacyFreedom from observation
spying · aerial photography · reconnaissance · inspection · mapping · border patrol · search and rescue · wildlife tracking · thermal imaging · live feed
delivery
Conveyance of goods
- agricultureCultivation of land, livestock
- inspectionFormal assessment of condition
- photographyCreating images from light
cinematography · real estate · surveying · package delivery · warehouse · inventory · construction · event coverage · journalism · racing
- microbotsnanobot, nanobots, microbots, micromachines
- Microsystemsmicrosensors, microfabrication, micromachining, accelerometers, gyroscopes
microdronesjumbo jets
Large commercial passenger aircraft
cargo planes · Predator drones · Boeing 747 · bomber aircraft · bombers