Drones and the Future of Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools
Overview
Drones have the potential to shape the future of colleges, universities, and professional schools by transforming methods of education delivery, enhancing security operations, facilitating research, and improving campus infrastructure. Evidence of advanced drone usage within education is increasing, with 83% of colleges and universities reportedly using drones in some capacity. Meanwhile, as per a 2020 study, 65% of higher education campuses have embraced drone technology particularly in the realm of security applications. The trend towards adopting drone technology in higher education is expected to grow at the rate of 20% per year.
Education Delivery
Drones play a significant role in the advancement of real-world applications for concepts presented in the class. Interaction with drones facilitates a hands-on understanding of various subjects, notably in agriculture, geography, and environmental studies. A survey indicates that 67% of educational institutions are using drones to offer practical exposure to students for their coursework. This interaction with drones helps enhance students’ skill sets and ensures they are ready for emerging job markets.
Campus Security
Drones are increasingly being utilized for surveillance purposes, with 65% of higher education campuses adopting them to enhance campus security. Capable of covering a wide area quickly, drones are more efficient than traditional methods, providing real-time footage and ensuring the safety of students and staff. Their use has been proven to reduce the risk of misdemeanors and violent incidents within campuses.
Research and Development
Higher education institutions serve as ideal spaces for drone-related research and development. As reported by the Association for Unmanned Vehicle Systems International, drones contribute to almost $82 billion worth of economic impact in the US alone. Drones enable researchers to conduct experiments with reduced risk and cost, enhancing the scope and depth of their studies.
Infrastructure Monitoring
Drones are being used for regular maintenance checks and infrastructure monitoring in many institutions. 76% of college facility managers reported that the use of drone technology reduced the time and cost of infrastructure maintenance. Drones can provide a bird’s eye view of the entire campus, helping to detect potential problems in buildings, roofs, and other structures.
Key Takeaways
- 83% of colleges and universities are using drones for a variety of applications.
- 67% of educational institutions are employing drones to facilitate practical coursework exposure.
- 65% of higher education campuses have adopted drone technology for surveillance and security purposes.
- Drones are expected to contribute $82 billion to the US economy in research and development activities.
- 76% of college facility managers have found drone technology beneficial in infrastructure maintenance.
3Laws Robotics
3Laws Robotics is poised to support the evolving use of drones in higher education. With a primary focus on addressing the challenge of certification — a notable obstacle for robotics companies — they are developing innovative software to enhance safety and reliability for robotic systems. Their product, the 3Laws Supervisor, simplifies this complex process by providing robust safety features and demonstrating system robustness.
Built on Control Barrier Functions, a technology credited to Caltech, 3Laws claims to offer mathematically provable safety, thereby making the certification process more accessible. Their technology has promising use cases in various fields, including warehouse automation, human-robot interaction, and navigating dynamic environments, demonstrated through a 40% efficiency gain in an autonomous forklift customer’s operations.
3Laws also aims to enhance operational efficiency by minimizing downtime caused by unnecessary e-stops or collisions. By providing real-time guardrails for autonomy stacks, they allow robots to operate more closely to their peak capabilities while ensuring safety. Going beyond traditional e-stop methods, 3Laws offers a proactive approach to safety, unlocking the full potential of robots that can be certified for ISO 3691-4 and ISO 26262, positioning them as a next-generation safety solution.