unmanned
Lacking human operators
Unmanned describes something operated without a human aboard or present.
An unmanned spacecraft or unmanned drone flies without a pilot inside.
An unmanned station has no attendant.
The word appears frequently in military and aerospace contexts: unmanned aerial vehicles, unmanned missions to Mars.
The term is being displaced by *uncrewed* in contexts where gender-neutral language is preferred.
Self-directed and free
- self-operatingFunctioning without external control
- programmedSet with instructions
- computerizedOperated by electronic processor
- roboticStiff and unemotional
algorithmic · preprogrammed · self-regulating · autopilot · hands-free · crewless · pilotless · uninhabited
Unmanned flying machine
- UAVCrewless aircraft
- quadcopterFour-rotor aerial vehicle
- aircraftAirborne transportation vehicle
- surveillanceSystematic observation of subjects
reconnaissance · flight · propeller · rotorcraft · hover · airspace · aviation · predator
Drifter or space explorer
- submarineUnderwater naval craft
- submersibleUnderwater exploration vehicle
- spacecraftVehicle for outer space
- probeThorough examination or tool
robot · vessel · tank · exploration · Mars rover · lunar · deep-sea · autonomous
autonomous
Self-directed and free
- self-operatingFunctioning without external control
- programmedSet with instructions
- computerizedOperated by electronic processor
robotic · algorithmic · preprogrammed · self-regulating · autopilot · hands-free · crewless · pilotless · uninhabited · uncrewed
drone
Unmanned flying machine
- UAVCrewless aircraft
- quadcopterFour-rotor aerial vehicle
- aircraftAirborne transportation vehicle
surveillance · reconnaissance · flight · propeller · rotorcraft · hover · airspace · aviation · predator · glide
rover
Drifter or space explorer
- submarineUnderwater naval craft
- submersibleUnderwater exploration vehicle
- spacecraftVehicle for outer space
probe · robot · vessel · tank · exploration · Mars rover · lunar · deep-sea · autonomous · nautical
wireless
Untethered signal transmission
- remoteDistant or controller
- signalMessage-conveying cue
- transmissionSending of information
operator · joystick · control station · receiver · antenna · satellite · link · bandwidth · frequency · interface
unmannedfortified
Made more resistant
steeled · emboldened · invigorated · energized · nerved
- unmanned vehiclesVehicles without human pilots