An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), commonly known as a drone, is an aircraft without a human pilot aboard. UAVs are a component of an unmanned aircraft system (UAS); which include a UAV, a ground-based controller, and a system of communications between the two. The flight of UAVs may operate with various degrees of autonomy: either under remote control by a human operator or autonomously by onboard computers.
The first pilotless aircraft were developed during World War I. However, it was not until the 1980s that drones began to be used for military purposes. The use of drones has become widespread in the 21st century, with the development of low-cost, easy-to-use drones for consumers and businesses. The term "drone" was first used in the 1930s to refer to a remote-controlled target aircraft.
Drones have a wide range of applications, from photography and videography to delivery and inspection. The technology is also being used to improve agriculture, construction, and public safety. The drone market is expected to grow to $63.6 billion by 2025.