From inspecting critical infrastructure to fighting forest fires and assisting in search-and-rescue operations, unmanned aerial systems (UAS), commonly known as drones, are revolutionizing the way organizations do business. Their intricate technology promises to play a major role in how smart cities operate in a safe and efficient manner.

Pairing an increased demand for connectivity with the technological benefits that come with using a drone, it’s no wonder that their sales have more than tripled during the last year, according to a report released by the NPD Group. More specifically, Navigant Research predicted annual sales for drones and robotics technologies — just within the transmission and distribution industry — to reach $4.1 billion by 2024, up from $131.7 million in 2015.

Along with the ability to capture high-resolution images and sweeping video, drones use sensors to target specific parts of the light spectrum to collect valuable data. And that data is helping companies make important decisions by uniquely identifying possible areas of concern, such as when inspecting remote parts of a transmission structure, wind turbine or solar panel for maintenance and operational functionality.