It’s a bird…It’s a plane….It’s a drone conducting a site inspection along a cell tower! The furious pace of technological innovation has yielded a device that several different industries, including the tower industry, are using–the unmanned aerial vehicle, or, as it is more commonly known, the drone.
Legacy Towers CEO Jim Tracy, for example, uses drone technology to conduct inspections on cell towers, as do several other tower inspection and maintenance companies across the country, reports Seattle Business.
“The first one you get, it’s kind of cool,” Tracy told Seattle Business, while discussing the device that has become a favorite pastime for technology buffs, as well as an effective tool for companies across all industries. “But at the end of the day, it’s just another tool.”
Indeed a powerful tool, as drones have been touted as an important development for climber safety because they reduce the number of climbs, especially in dangerous weather conditions or in remote areas where emergency response may be slower.
Legacy Towers began using drones in late 2013 and Tracy said the device has made climbing safer and more efficient. Tracy said he uses it to inspect an antenna mounted on a tower, check for damage on the structure, or ensure antennas are aligned properly. Drones are also useful for taking pictures, too, which helps construction companies complete closeout packages for clients.
“If you can throw a drone in there, you can cover more ground with less fuel use,” Tracy said, highlighting the device’s efficiency.
In addition to the cell tower industry, drones are making their way into several other sectors, creating what’s becoming known as the ‘drone economy.’ Tech, agricultural and manufacturing companies have found solutions the device can provide indicating that the future of this technology is now.
February 6, 2017
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