Pilotless drones have had the biggest impact on the battlefield, serving as
eyes in the sky and even as attack aircraft. But could they find another role,
helping farmers boost food production?
The popular image of drones is as expensive pieces of military hardware which
can be used for spying or even going on the offensive.
But that's changing as robots become more integrated with our everyday lives.
Farming is one of the new frontiers, as food production has become more
automated everything from GPS-guided tractors to automated milking machines -
and drones are started to be incorporated into what's known as precision
agriculture.
Robots are being used to survey crops and help farmers manage the water and
chemicals they use in vast fields. Chris Anderson, the former editor-in-chief
of Wired magazine, recently switched careers to move into drone manufacturing.
He co-founded 3D Robotics, which is building drones in Mexico and the US which
may one day keep a beady electronic eye on the food being grown for our tables.
BBC Future visited 3D Robotics' workshop in San Diego, California.
(Additional footage courtesy of 3D Robotics)