Can AI and Advanced IT Systems Truly Enhance Drone Autonomy in Precision Agriculture and Smart Logistics Despite Cybersecurity and Regulatory Barriers?
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.61173/7rhj6c08Keywords:
Drone Autonomy, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Precision Agriculture, Smart Logistics, CybersecurityAbstract
The only revolution experienced in this era within different sectors is the integration of drone systems and information technology (IT). The drones were once remotely operable, but this is no longer the case, as sophisticated IT-backed devices have taken over their operation. The systems, however, leverage the latest technology, including artificial intelligence (AI), data processing, and autonomous control systems, enabling them to perform previously unimaginable operations. The dissertation examines the contribution of IT to enhancing drone operations, ensuring they become more independent, precise, and efficient. The most important aspects to consider are the implementation of AI in decision-making, the process of data processing within the real-time analysis framework, and the development of viable control systems that are stable and operable in any context. The application of IT-enabled drones in precision agriculture, smart logistics, and environmental monitoring can be seen through the lens of the details provided in the case studies, which utilise technical techniques that will be the subject of the current study. The conclusion emphasises that IT-assisted drones are transforming industries and paving the way for new ecosystems that will address environmental and social challenges. This dissertation outlines what IT can be expected to contribute to this development, as the youngster in the family is likely to play a significant role in the future development of drone technologies.
References
Osunkanmibi, A. A., & Egbemhenghe, J. (2025). Artificial Intelligence in Logistics and Distribution: The function of AI in dynamic route planning for transportation, including self-driving trucks and drone delivery systems. World Journal of Advanced Research and Reviews, 25(2), 155–167. https://doi.org/10.30574/ wjarr.2025.25.2.0214
Akmaykin, D. A., Khomenko, D. B., & Klueva, S. F. (2017). Overview of features and perspectives of modern automated ship route planning systems. Vestnik Gosudarstvennogo Universiteta Morskogo I Rechnogo Flota Imeni Admirala S. O. Makarova, 9(2), 237–251. https://doi.org/10.21821/2309-5180-2017-9-2- 237-251
Alexander, R. D., Herbert, N. J., & Kelly, T. P. (2009). The role of the human in an autonomous system. 4th IET International
Conference on Systems Safety 2009. Incorporating the SaRS Annual Conference. https://doi.org/10.1049/cp.2009.1536
Budinska, I. (2018). On Ethical and Legal Issues of Using Drones. Advances in Service and Industrial Robotics, 710–717. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-00232-9_74
Cai, W., Liu, Z., Zhang, M., & Wang, C. (2023). Cooperative Artificial Intelligence for an Underwater Robotic Swarm. Robotics and Autonomous Systems, 104410. https://doi. Dean&Francis Xinze Wang org/10.1016/j.robot.2023.104410
Chan, K. W., Nirmal, U., & Cheaw, W. G. (2018). Progress on drone technology and its applications: A comprehensive review. AIP Conference Proceedings, 2030(1). https://doi. org/10.1063/1.5066949 Chen, H., Wen, Y., Zhu, M., Huang, Y., Xiao, C., Wei, T., &
Hahn, A. (2021). From Automation System to Autonomous System: An Architecture Perspective. Journal of Marine Science and Engineering, 9(6), 645. https://doi.org/10.3390/ jmse9060645
Cho, Y. K., Ham, Y., & Golpavar-Fard, M. (2015). 3D as-is building energy modelling and diagnostics: A review of the stateof-the-art. Advanced Engineering Informatics, 29(2), 184–195. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aei.2015.03.00
Emimi, M., Khaleel, M., & Alkrash, A. (2023). The Current Opportunities and Challenges in Drone Technology. International Journal of Electrical Engineering and Sustainability (IJEES), 1(3), 74–89. https://ijees.org/index.php/ijees/article/view/47 Esposito, M., Crimaldi, M., Cirillo, V., Sarghini, F., & Maggio,
A. (2021). Drone and sensor technology for sustainable weed management: a review. Chemical and Biological Technologies in Agriculture, 8(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s40538-021-00217-8 Friedewald, M., Burgess, J. P., Čas, J., Bellanova, R., &
Peissl, W. (2017). Surveillance, Privacy and Security. In library.oapen.org. Taylor & Francis. https://library.oapen.org/ handle/20.500.12657/24123
Grima, S., Sood, K., Ozen, E., & Emily, R. (2024). Greening Our Economy for a Sustainable Future. Elsevier.
Gupta, R., Sharma, S. K., & Stevelal, S. (2024). TSAW Drones: Revolutionising India’s Drone Logistics with Digital Technologies. AIS Electronic Library (AISeL). https://aisel. aisnet.org/cais/vol55/iss1/42
Janke, C., & de Haag, M. U. (2022). Implementation of European Drone Regulations - Status Quo and Assessment. Journal of Intelligent & Robotic Systems, 106(2). https://doi. org/10.1007/s10846-022-01714-0
Josino, C., Galvão, E., & Gorschek, T. (2023). Cybersecurity Risk Assessment for Medium-Risk Drones: A Systematic Literature Review. IEEE Aerospace and Electronic Systems Magazine, 38(6), 28–43. https://doi.org/10.1109/ maes.2023.3251969
Kandrot, S., & Holloway, P. (2020). Work Package 2: Technological Innovation for Sustainable Development Deliverable T2.1.1: Project report Applications of Drone Technology for Sustainable Development of the Coastal Zone: A Literature Review. https://coast-2014-20.interreg-npa.eu/ subsites/coast/DT2.1.1_Applications_of_drone_technology_for_ sustainable_development_of_the_coastal_zone.pdf
Kitonsa, H., & Kruglikov, S. V. (2018). Significance of drone technology for the achievement of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. R-Economy, 4(3), 115–120. https://doi.org/10.15826/recon.2018.4.3.016 Li, Y., Wang, H., Dang, L. M., Nguyen, T. N., Han, D., Lee,
A., Jang, I., & Moon, H. (2020). A Deep Learning-Based Hybrid Framework for Object Detection and Recognition in Autonomous Driving. IEEE Access, 8, 194228–194239. https:// doi.org/10.1109/access.2020.3033289
Malowany, D., & Guterman, H. (2020). Biologically Inspired Visual System Architecture for Object Recognition in Autonomous Systems. Algorithms, 13(7), 167. https://doi. org/10.3390/a13070167
Nonami, K. (2018). Research and Development of Drone and Roadmap to Evolution. Journal of Robotics and Mechatronics, 30(3), 322–336. https://doi.org/10.20965/jrm.2018.p0322
Omolara, A. E., Alawida, M., & Abiodun, O. I. (2023). Drone cybersecurity issues, solutions, trend insights and future perspectives: a survey. Neural Computing and Applications, 35. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00521-023-08857-7
Qi, Q., Tao, F., Cheng, Y., Cheng, J., & Nee, A. Y. C. (2021). New IT-driven rapid manufacturing for emergency response. Journal of Manufacturing Systems, 60, 928–935. https://doi. org/10.1016/j.jmsy.2021.02.016
Ramík, D. M., Sabourin, C., Moreno, R., & Madani, K. (2013). A machine learning based intelligent vision system for autonomous object detection and recognition. Applied Intelligence, 40(2), 358–375. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10489-013-0461-5
Ramos, M. A., & Mosleh, A. (2021). Human Role in Failure of Autonomous Systems: A Human Reliability Perspective. https:// doi.org/10.1109/rams48097.2021.9605790
Sadiku, M. N. O., & Musa, S. M. (2021). A Primer on Multiple Intelligences. Springer International Publishing. https://doi. org/10.1007/978-3-030-77584-1
Sifakis, J., & Harel, D. (2022). Trustworthy Autonomous System Development. ACM Transactions on Embedded Computing Systems. https://doi.org/10.1145/3545178 Sindiramutty, S. R., Jhanjhi, N. Z., Tan, C. E., Khan, N. A., Shah,
B., Yun, K. J., Ray, S. K., Husin Jazri, & Hussain, M. (2024). Future Trends and Emerging Threats in Drone Cybersecurity. Advances in Information Security, Privacy, and Ethics Book Series, 148–195. https://doi.org/10.4018/979-8-3693-0774-8. ch007
Suzuki, S. (2018). Recent research on innovative drone technologies in the robotics field. Advanced Robotics, 32(19), 1008–1022. https://doi.org/10.1080/01691864.2018.1515660
Tang, J., Duan, H., & Lao, S. (2022). Swarm intelligence algorithms for multiple uncrewed aerial vehicles collaboration: a comprehensive review. Artificial Intelligence Review. https://doi. org/10.1007/s10462-022-10281-7
Tano, I. (2024). Digital horizons: IT-driven strategies and challenges in environmental planning and public administration. Pantao (International Journal of the Humanities and Social Sciences). https://doi.org/10.69651/pijhss030312
Tarr, J.-A., Thompson, M., Tarr, A. A., & Ellis, J. (2021). Drones in the future. Routledge EBooks, 437–453. https://doi. Dean&Francis ISSN 2959-6157 org/10.4324/9781003028031-29 Wa t s o n , D . M . ( 2 0 0 5 ) . R e s p o n s e f r o m Wa t s o n . BioScience, 55(5), 389. https://doi.org/10.1641/0006- 3568(2005)055[0389:rfw]2.0.co;2
Wilson, R. L. (2014). Ethical Issues with the Use of Drone Aircraft. 2014 IEEE International Symposium on Ethics in Science, Technology and Engineering. https://doi.org/10.1109/ ethics.2014.6893424
Wright, D. (2014). Drones: Regulatory challenges to an incipient industry. Computer Law & Security Review, 30(3), 226–229. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clsr.2014.03.009 Yazdanpanah, V., Gerding, E. H., Stein, S., Dastani, M., Jonker,
C. M., Norman, T. J., & Ramchurn, S. D. (2022). Reasoning about responsibility in autonomous systems: challenges and opportunities. AI & Society. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00146-022- 01607-8
Downloads
Published
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2025 by the authors.

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
