A new kind of plane is in the sky today. This plane has no pilot inside the cockpit. A computer flies the aircraft all by itself. People call this machine a drone or robot plane. These flying vehicles look very strange to most folks. They represent a huge change in how people travel.
Big companies test these smart planes every single day now. Engineers write special codes to guide the aircraft safely. The machines use cameras to see the world below. They also use sensors to dodge tall trees and birds. Flying robots do not get tired like human pilots do. They can stay up in the clouds for many hours.
How They Work
Special computers control every single move of the aircraft. A person sits on the ground and watches screens. This operator can send new directions to the machine. The plane listens to commands through radio signals very fast. GPS maps show the flying robot its exact path. The machine never gets lost on its long journey.
Sensors on the wings check the wind speed constantly. They measure the air pressure to keep the flight smooth. If a storm starts, the computer changes the route. It avoids dark clouds and dangerous heavy rain storms. Safety is the top goal for every single test flight. The engineers check all parts before the engine starts.
Jobs They Do
Farmers use these smart planes to water big fields. The aircraft spray food on crops from up high. This saves farmers a lot of time and hard work. Workers do not need to walk through muddy dirt. The flying machines drop water on plants very evenly. Every green leaf gets the exact right amount today.
Other industries want to use these robots very soon. Delivery companies plan to send boxes to your front door. Small planes can fly packages over busy city streets. They drop packages in yards without any human help. Emergency workers also use them to find lost hikers. The cameras spot people from high up in the air.
The Future
Engineers want to build bigger planes for normal passengers. You might fly in one of these one day. Companies test small air taxis in some big cities. Passengers will sit in back without any pilot ahead. People feel nervous about flying without a human captain. Scientists must prove the machines are totally safe first.
Laws for the sky need updates before many flights happen. Government workers write new rules for these robotic aircraft. Pilots help test the machines to find hidden problems. The future of travel looks very different from today. Soon you will see robot planes flying overhead everywhere. The sky will soon be full of smart machines.