Drones in a vineyard? Wine not!? This one, pictured in September 2014 at the Pape Clement castle vineyards in Bordeaux, France, uses an infrared camera to assess the maturity of the grapes.
Evolution of camera drones —
Drones in a vineyard? Wine not!? This one, pictured in September 2014 at the Pape Clement castle vineyards in Bordeaux, France, uses an infrared camera to assess the maturity of the grapes.
Jean Pierre Muller/AFP/Getty Images
This shot of a superyacht was captured using the latest in drone technology -- which have developed considerably in the past decade.
Evolution of camera drones —
This shot of a superyacht was captured using the latest in drone technology -- which have developed considerably in the past decade.
Justice L Bentz/Pigeon Vision
Justice L Bentz (left) and a fellow operator get one of their custom-built drones off the ground, ready to shoot another superyacht in the Caribbean.
Evolution of camera drones —
Justice L Bentz (left) and a fellow operator get one of their custom-built drones off the ground, ready to shoot another superyacht in the Caribbean.
Justice L Bentz/Pigeon Vision
In 2004, German army officers presented this early camera drone at the CeBIT computer technology fair.
Evolution of camera drones —
In 2004, German army officers presented this early camera drone at the CeBIT computer technology fair.
Jochen Luebke/AFP/Getty Images
Most early drones had military or police uses. In 2007, British police in Liverpool used this drone to capture the anti-social behavior of festive revellers during the holiday season.
Evolution of camera drones —
Most early drones had military or police uses. In 2007, British police in Liverpool used this drone to capture the anti-social behavior of festive revellers during the holiday season.
Christopher Furlong/Getty Images
This drone, hovering above a beach in southern France in 2009, carried a thermal-imaging camera -- designed to let scientists check levels of pollution in the sea.
Evolution of camera drones —
This drone, hovering above a beach in southern France in 2009, carried a thermal-imaging camera -- designed to let scientists check levels of pollution in the sea.
Stephane Danna/AFP/Getty Images
By 2010, drones being exhibited at major high-tech conventions included the ability to monitor the camera's output wirelessly -- and in real-time -- using cellphones.
Evolution of camera drones —
By 2010, drones being exhibited at major high-tech conventions included the ability to monitor the camera's output wirelessly -- and in real-time -- using cellphones.
Daniel Mihailescu/AFP/Getty Images
Drones soon became features of major sports events. Here, Canada's Erik Guay competes beneath a drone during an Alpine skiing World Cup downhill race in early 2012.
Evolution of camera drones —
Drones soon became features of major sports events. Here, Canada's Erik Guay competes beneath a drone during an Alpine skiing World Cup downhill race in early 2012.
Olivier Morin/AFP/Getty Images
A year later, this drone is seen hovering above the field during a National Rugby League game between Australian sides Manly Warringah Sea Eagles and the Sydney Roosters.
Evolution of camera drones —
A year later, this drone is seen hovering above the field during a National Rugby League game between Australian sides Manly Warringah Sea Eagles and the Sydney Roosters.
Matt King/Getty Images
Increasingly, pro athletes are using drones for their own benefit. <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fcnn.com%2F2014%2F01%2F29%2Fsport%2Fxavier-de-le-rue-snowboarding-sochi%2F">French snowboarder Xavier de le Rue </a>is pictured working on a drone prototype in the summer of 2014.
Evolution of camera drones —
Increasingly, pro athletes are using drones for their own benefit. French snowboarder Xavier de le Rue is pictured working on a drone prototype in the summer of 2014.
Jean Pierre Clatot/AFP/Getty Images
Drones are a part of training sessions now, too. Aussie Rules player Dyson Heppell babysits one while training with the AFL's Essendon Bombers in November 2014.
Evolution of camera drones —
Drones are a part of training sessions now, too. Aussie Rules player Dyson Heppell babysits one while training with the AFL's Essendon Bombers in November 2014.
Michael Dodge/Getty Images