A drone for 200 euros can destroy equipment worth millions: In the future, they will be a natural part of our lives, says an expert

In recent years, drones have become a technology that affects several areas of life - from energy to military conflicts. Once, they were mainly a hobby of enthusiasts with small flying machines.

Today, they are tools capable of saving lives, monitoring critical infrastructure, or destroying expensive military equipment.

“By definition, a drone is a means of transport that does not include a driver or pilot,” explains Ákos Haramia from Aliter Technologies in the Startitup Let’s Talk Business show.

In addition to the well-known flying devices, there are also ground or underwater drones. These are used, for example, in search and rescue operations or firefighting.

Development is heading towards even greater autonomy, the use of artificial intelligence and integration into both the civilian and military sectors. In the interview, Haramia explained how drones are developing, what they can already do today and what trends will affect their future.

What do we call a drone today?

When it comes to drones, most people imagine a small flying device with a camera. The reality is much broader. Ákos Haramia explains that a drone is any vehicle without a pilot.

What drones exist:

• UAV/UAS – the most well-known group, i.e. flying drones,

• UGV – ground drones that move on tracks or wheels,

• Water and underwater drones – used, for example, by firefighters in search operations.

Because the signal cannot be transmitted underwater, they are usually connected to the operator by cable. The drone does not have to fly, it can be an autonomous device that collects data, monitors the surroundings or performs tasks instead of a person. See more →

Drones will appear more often, the biggest driving force is the military

The biggest change in the world of drones today is artificial intelligence. Devices no longer fly only according to human commands, but can independently evaluate situations.

“Today, drones can recognize armored vehicles, tanks or infantry on their own. In civilian areas, they can find cracks in high-voltage lines or damaged insulators,” says Ákos Haramia.

According to him, AI is used directly in flight control or in processing the image from the camera. So the drone does not have to send all the data to the ground, but can evaluate it right during the flight.

New technologies are also pushing the development forward. “5G and satellite networks make it possible to control drones remotely. In the military, it is quite common for an operator to sit in the USA and the drone to carry out a mission in Europe. It is also common for such an operator to control multiple drones,” explains Haramia.

So-called “Drone-in-a-Box” solutions are also coming to the civilian sector from large commercial manufacturers. “It works like this: there is a box, there is a drone in it, and that box is connected to the internet. So I can control the drone via the internet,” adds the expert.

The trend is clear – machines are gradually becoming more autonomous and do not need constant human supervision.

Slovak legislation on drones

European legislation distinguishes drones according to their weight and the space in which they fly – whether they are flying over people, residential areas, private land or outside populated areas.

The rules for what is permitted with a particular drone are based on this. In Slovakia, an amendment to the Aviation Act was adopted in July 2024, which brings together comprehensive national legislation for drones, unmanned aerial systems and U-space airspace.

The amendment aligns Slovak rules with European Union regulations and at the same time removes some obstacles in the field of civil aviation. The law is already effective and its aim is to create clear and safe conditions for the full use of drones in practice.

Use in the energy sector and in the military

Drones have long ceased to be just a toy for enthusiasts. Aliter Technologies uses them in the energy sector and in the military, and their specialty is VIMA (Virtual Mast) drones – flying masts that can carry a camera, radio or sensors.

“We started in the energy sector. We inspect high-voltage lines and install bird deflectors,” says Ákos Haramia. Such interventions are dangerous for people, but drones can handle them quickly and safely even in inaccessible terrain.

Later, the company also moved into the military field. “We developed a tethered drone that is connected to the ground by a cable. It transmits both energy and data, so it is not dependent on a signal,” explains Haramia.

Thanks to this, it can stay in the air significantly longer and is resistant to interference. VIMA thus serves as a mobile platform that can be operated by a single operator. “It only takes a few minutes and the drone takes off with what the client needs – a camera, radio or light,” adds Haramia.

In the civilian sector, it helps monitor and protect infrastructure, while in the military, it provides reconnaissance and communication support in challenging conditions. Drone Defense and Their Future

With the growing number of drones, the question of how to defend against them also arises. “There are three options – jamming the signal, taking control, or physically destroying the drone,” says Haramia. As he adds, it is most difficult to hit a small and fast target, which is why jamming is most often used.

“On the front in Ukraine, the entire line is jammed. Communication there practically does not work.” However, developments are bringing new solutions. “Today, drones can carry optical fiber. This means that they bypass classic jamming and transmit data via cable,” he explains.

Haramia sees the future of drones as a natural part of everyday life. They can guard campuses, deliver samples between hospitals, or help clean streets.

“Drones will fly, drive and swim all around us. And they will do many things safer and more efficiently than humans,” he concludes.

A technological innovator with Slovak roots and global reach

Aliter Technologies is a Slovak technology company founded in 2007, specializing in information and communication technologies, cybersecurity, software development and specialized hardware.

It operates globally, has branches in Slovakia, the Czech Republic and Canada and has implemented over 300 projects for international clients, including NATO.

Its portfolio includes cloud solutions, tactical communications, unmanned systems, as well as devices for seniors. The company holds several ISO and military certifications and is also actively engaged in social responsibility and education support.

SOURCE: STARTITUP