A Novel Approach to a Generalized Classification of Autonomous UAVs

UAVs, or Drones, have been a main research trend for a long time now. Autonomous UAVs have become a main focus point that remains vaguely classified. Majority of today's current literature trends classify UAVs from physical attributes. Some classify them from an autonomy perspective, which is the capability to perform autonomous tasks for a set amount of time without the intervention of a human, which is not the same as autonomous. Today, autonomous classifications for UAVs do exist, but do not properly assess non-military semi-autonomous involvements. This paper presents a new general classification for UAVs, or Drones, based on their autonomous levels. This new proposed classification will benefit the current literature trends in the industry by involving civil UAVs and serving as a general classification for autonomous UAVs.