Critical Studies of UAVs Utilisation in Digital Heritage

In the digital heritage arena, UAVs (Unmanned or Uncrewed Aerial Vehicles) have been integrated into hybrid data surveys for HBIMs, tangible heritage site modelling, risk assessments of endangered built heritage, and other applications. The origins of UAVs can be traced back to human-animal collaborations - pigeons and B&W cameras. Due to the difficulty of pre-planning flight routes and the disadvantages of focus, composition, and clarity, UAV survey results were often random and nearly impossible to control. With the progression of technology, UAVs are adopted and used widely, such as in agriculture, construction surveys, and disaster zone investigations. Flight routes can be easily organised in advance by accessing satellite images and open maps. Locations and ranges can be defined before the flight to ensure compliance with local laws and avoidance of no-fly zones (airports, railways, harbours, for instance). Programmed flight routes and flights are available with sufficient satellite readings and pin-down of the home base for AR returning and landing of UAVs. Tracking and bypassing obstacles, multi-lens and panoramic documentation further reduce the flights back and forth. Yet, the tactical use of UAVs in modern warfare drastically changes the preliminary goals and the final results. Heritage sites and artefacts are destroyed in drone attacks by precise positioning systems. UAVs become decoys for gamified enemy hunting on the battlefields and surveillance screens. Facing the critical moments of paradoxical UAV applications to preserve and jeopardise cultural heritage at the same time, a critical study of UAV utilisation in digital heritage research is crucial to raise awareness, reflect on the use of technology in digital humanities, and safeguard the memories of the world.