Skip to main content
Understanding Risk
  • Events
  • Initiatives
  • Resources
  • Topics
  • News
  • Opportunities
  • About
  • Search
UR on Twitter UR LinkedIn

Game of drones – Exploring the potential of drone technology

Related Event

  • 2014 Understanding Risk Forum

Event Summary

Organization: GFDRR

Session Lead

  • Vica Rosario Bogaerts, DRM Specialist, GFDRR

Description

Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs, also commonly known as drones) are often associated with controversial military operations. However, over the few last years a new generation of drones has emerged focused on supporting humanitarian and civilian actions. For example, NASA uses drones to collect data on tropical storm intensity, and drones were used to produce aerial imagery during the 2013 Colorado floods. In India, UAVs made a reconnaissance of 50 flood-affected areas in Uttarakhand, where at least 20 areas had been inaccessible to relief workers. While the costs of acquiring drones have gone down and societal benefits are significant, the public use of drones poses a number of unique challenges. This session provides a platform to explore how drones can be used as an effective tool for mapping, surveying, 3D modeling, and enhancing search and rescue operations in the aftermath of a disaster, and to discuss how to build broader government acceptance on the public use of drones.

Chair: Joaquin Toro, Senior DRM Specialist

An initiative of

Connect With Our Community

Join Us on LinkedIn Follow Us on Twitter Subscribe to Our Newsletter

© 2025 Copyright Understanding Risk. Privacy Policy Site Credits