The incessant drone of drones
Many of us think of drones as equipment that costs millions and which only militaries can afford. But the unmanned vehicles are becoming more and more popular among normal folk and can cost as little 300 euros.
Something in the air
The Quadrocopter is made by a Paris-based company. The device, which is controlled using a smartphone, is battery operated and has two cameras. The images can be viewed on the screen of your phone. So, you could use it to spy on your neighbors - but that would be illegal. Or, for games.
Modeling trees
Forestry researchers at the Technical University of Dresden use drones to study treetops. The aerial devices let them create 3D models of trees. It's even got the local environment ministry interested. It goes to show that this isn't your everyday technology.
The mommy drone
Researchers in Munich and Bologna are also looking to drones to help them with wildlife conservation. They want to train small ibis birds, using drones, as a replacement for their mothers if they become separated - so as to ensure their survival.
Origin of drones
The word "drone" comes from an Indo-European word, meaning buzz or hum. Originally, manmade bees, bumblebees, hornets, or wasps were described as drones. A drone can fly and has large, powerful compound eyes, and it carries no weapons - it doesn't sting.
The little helper
Fire departments in Germany have been using drones for some years now - like this one in Marlishausen, Thuringia. They use drones to search for people, using infrared cameras. They can also fly into dangerous areas and deliver images from there.
From a safe distance
This is the burnt out shell of a fertilizer plant in Krefeld. It was impossible for experts to enter it even two days after the event because it was too dangerous. But they used a drone to gather initial evidence on the cause of the fire. It was most likely a technical defect on a conveyor belt.
In radioactive zones
After the nuclear meltdown at Fukushima, Japan, following an earthquake and tsunami in March 2011, drones flew into the radioactive area. They were able to capture detailed images of the damage. But people were also sent into the plant despite the potential risks.
Indian prototype
There is also research on unmanned aerial vehicles in India. Different aviation and defense organizations are testing a mini-drone near Bangalore. Authorities want to use drones to gather images of conditions in trouble spots.
Millions invested
The technology is being further developed at various universities in Germany. In Ilmenau, researchers are working on building an autonomous quadrocopter that could repair mobile networks that go down. More than 6.5 million euros has been set aside for the project.
Drone takes a dive
Not all drones fly - the definition covers a range of unmanned vehicles. Take the Deep Drone 8000: the US Navy developed this drone for use in marine rescue. It can go as deep as 2,500 meters.
Anti-drone protest
Despite their growing use by civilians - there is a movement against the use of military drones. Critics say they are instruments of surveillance and destruction. Hundreds of people, some with homemade models of drones, protested recently in front of the German parliament.