leo zeng
Steven, Drones are RC models, like the one in the group thumbnail
Leonardo,
The popular use of the word drone has become synonymous with hobbyist RC type vehicles. However it has never been limited to that particular type of aircraft. “Drone” refers to any uncrewed aircraft or ship guided by remote control or onboard computers. This can be an airplane, helicopter, boat or any vehicle.
The Mars helicopter receives commands via radio telemetry (radio control) but then operates autonomously using its onboard computers. This is actually quite similar to the typical RC drone that you are familiar with. Most receive commands using a handheld radio control transmitter. In most cases these commands don’t directly control the drone but instead tell the onboard computer what direction to travel, how fast to go, whether to ascend or descend, etc. The onboard computer, using positional information from GPS, is what is actually flying and controlling the drone. In many cases the onboard controls for an RC drone will take complete control and automatically travel to waypoints, land, or hover in one spot. Again, this is exactly what the Mars helicopter does.
A drone does not necessarily have to have intelligent onboard electronics like the typical RC drone or the the Mars helicopter. Any remotely controlled vehicle qualifies as a drone.
At the same time, a drone does not have to have radio control. It could actually be preprogrammed to take off, follow a specific route, or do a specific task, and then land. All without any remote control during its operations.
