Drone

Payload

Sr Mohd Epy Azrai Maula Hamzah, MRISM

Director, Technical Operation
The extra gear or cargo that a drone can carry or be outfitted with for a variety of
uses is known as a drone payload. The payload that is employed depends on the
particular mission or application that the drone is being used for.

Sr Mohd Epy Azrai Maula Hamzah, MRISM

Director, Technical Operation
Following is a list of typical drone payloads:

1. Camera and Gimbal

The majority of consumer and commercial drones have built-in cameras and
gimbals for taking pictures and films. The quality and capabilities of these
cameras might vary, ranging from entry-level devices to high-resolution and
thermal imaging cameras.

Sr Mohd Epy Azrai Maula Hamzah, MRISM

Director, Technical Operation
2. LiDAR
(Light Detection and Ranging)
By emitted laser pulses and measuring their return time, LiDAR payloads are
used for mapping, surveying, and producing 3D models of terrain, structures,
and objects.

Sr Mohd Epy Azrai Maula Hamzah, MRISM

Director, Technical Operation
3. Thermal imaging cameras
These devices can identify
heat signatures by capturing
infrared radiation. They are
frequently employed in
surveillance, infrastructure
inspection, and search and
rescue operations.

Sr Mohd Epy Azrai Maula Hamzah, MRISM

Director, Technical Operation
4. Multispectral and
Hyperspectral Sensors
These sensors collect information from a variety of spectral bands, making
them valuable for environmental and agricultural monitoring applications.

Sr Mohd Epy Azrai Maula Hamzah, MRISM

Director, Technical Operation
5. Gas and Chemical Sensors
Drones are useful for environmental monitoring and industrial safety since they
can be equipped with sensors that can find and measure different gases and
chemicals in the atmosphere.

Sr Mohd Epy Azrai Maula Hamzah, MRISM

Director, Technical Operation
6. LiDAR and Photogrammetry
Combined Systems
For more thorough mapping and surveying, some drones come with both
LiDAR and photogrammetry payloads (RGB cameras).

Sr Mohd Epy Azrai Maula Hamzah, MRISM

Director, Technical Operation
7. Payload Release
Mechanisms
These devices, which are frequently employed in search and rescue operations
or delivery drones, are intended to drop or release items, such as research
instruments, freight, or rescue equipment.

Sr Mohd Epy Azrai Maula Hamzah, MRISM

Director, Technical Operation
8. Agricultural Payloads
Drones used in agriculture may transport specialized payloads like crop
analyzers for precision farming, pesticide sprayers, or seed spreaders.

Sr Mohd Epy Azrai Maula Hamzah, MRISM

Director, Technical Operation
9. Geophysical and
seismic sensors
These payloads are used for monitoring ground motion and conducting
geological surveys.

Sr Mohd Epy Azrai Maula Hamzah, MRISM

Director, Technical Operation
10. Communication and
Relay Equipment
Some drones come with payloads that may boost Wi-Fi or cellular signals,
enabling them to serve as communication relays in far-flung locations or
during disaster relief.

Communication relay drones could provide life-saving cellular and

wireless service in an area decimated by a natural disaster.

Sr Mohd Epy Azrai Maula Hamzah, MRISM

Director, Technical Operation
11. Sonar Sensors
Sonar sensors are used in aquatic areas by drones to map the underwater
environment, look for underwater objects, or research aquatic life.

Sr Mohd Epy Azrai Maula Hamzah, MRISM

Director, Technical Operation
12. Magnetometers In geophysical surveys
and mineral exploration,
magnetometer payloads
can be used to locate
and map magnetic
anomalies on the
Earth's surface.

Sr Mohd Epy Azrai Maula Hamzah, MRISM

Director, Technical Operation
13. Radioactive Material
Detectors
Inspections of nuclear power plants and monitoring of hazardous material
spills both use drones with radiation detectors.

Sr Mohd Epy Azrai Maula Hamzah, MRISM

Director, Technical Operation
14. Payloads for Film and
Photography
High-end cinema cameras or specialized rigs for capturing cinematic shots
may be carried by professional cinematography drones.

Sr Mohd Epy Azrai Maula Hamzah, MRISM

Director, Technical Operation
15. Cargo Delivery Payloads
Drones used for cargo delivery may use winches or cargo pods to safely deliver
containers or items.

Sr Mohd Epy Azrai Maula Hamzah, MRISM

Director, Technical Operation
16. Medical Payloads
Drones can deliver medical supplies to remote or disaster-affected locations,
such as defibrillators, pharmaceuticals, or blood samples.

Sr Mohd Epy Azrai Maula Hamzah, MRISM

Director, Technical Operation
17. Rescue Payloads
For use in search and rescue operations on the water, these payloads may include
lifebuoys, life jackets, or flotation devices.

Sr Mohd Epy Azrai Maula Hamzah, MRISM

Director, Technical Operation
18. Environmental Sampling
Equipment
Drones can be equipped to take samples of the air, water, or soil for
environmental investigation.

Sr Mohd Epy Azrai Maula Hamzah, MRISM

Director, Technical Operation
19. Firefighting Payloads
Drones used to battle fires may be equipped with thermal cameras, water or
fire-extinguishing payloads, or communication tools to coordinate activities.

Sr Mohd Epy Azrai Maula Hamzah, MRISM

Director, Technical Operation
Whether a drone is being utilized for commercial, scientific, industrial, or recreational
objectives will have a significant impact on the payload that is selected. This decision is
made based on the particular mission requirements. The variety of potential payloads
and their capabilities continue to increase thanks to developments in drone
technology.

Sr Mohd Epy Azrai Maula Hamzah, MRISM

Director, Technical Operation
Thank you!