## 8 Use Cases and Applications
### Warehouses and Logistics  
The exponential growth of global e-commerce, represented by the surge in e-shops, has led to a proportional expansion in the size of warehouses. In these large-scale facilities, managing goods and intralogistics presents challenges that have spurred technological advancements in drones tailored for warehouse applications. These drones are currently in use performing automated inventories that streamline managerial tasks, alleviate tedious and hazardous work, and enhance overall efficiency beyond the capabilities of manual labor [164]. The Fourth Industrial Revolution, also known as Industry 4.0, has introduced various technologies that are applicable to and transformative for warehouses. These technologies include scanning, QR codes, RFID, and artificial intelligence, thereby enabling the automation of warehouses through drone control [165]. Drones deployed within warehouses are versatile and can contribute to various activities:  
Inventory: Owing to their exceptional maneuverability and compact size, drones can undertake tasks such as audits, retrieving items, and conducting inventory assessments [166]. This capability enables warehouses to reduce labor costs or enhance the accuracy of inventory quantity assessments. Intralogistics: Drones are also viable for intracompany logistics [167], thus transporting goods along predefined flight paths. Challenges such as weight capacity, gripping mechanisms, and precise location awareness need resolution to fully leverage the potential of drones in this activity. Inspection and surveillance: Drones can play a crucial role in inspecting the condition of roofs, racks, walls, and ceilings, thereby contributing to enhanced workplace safety. By minimizing dangerous tasks performed by workers, drones offer a cost-effective alternative, particularly in interior inspections. Predefined routes equipped with cameras can be utilized to prevent theft and monitor against other unwanted activities [168]. However, the implementation of drones in warehouses is not without its challenges. Safety concerns for employees in the event of drone malfunctions, questions of liability in the case of failures, and the potential invasion of privacy due to camera-equipped drones are important considerations. Navigation can be problematic indoors due to the limitations of using GPS, and obstacle avoidance becomes challenging in warehouses with numerous obstacles. While drones have proven effective for tasks within the warehouse, last-mile delivery, often carried out by courier services, poses its own set of challenges. Traditional parcel delivery using internal combustion engine vehicles is not environmentally friendly, and issues such as traffic congestion can disrupt delivery schedules. As online shopping continues to surge in popularity, there is a growing demand for efficient transport logistics solutions [169]. Single drone delivery: In certain situations, a single drone delivery proves sufficient. These drones can carry parcels weighing up to 2.5 kg, thus covering over 80% of online retailers' products. The drone's range is between 3 and 33 km, thus necessitating multiple recharges for longer-distance deliveries [164]. Drone swarm delivery: The concept of a drone swarm involves a group of drones working collaboratively to achieve a task. Synchronized and capable of communication,drone swarms can function as a unit. This approach becomes advantageous when multiple packages need delivery to the same location or for heavy packages beyond the capacity of an individual drone [170]. Drone swarms can be categorized as static or dynamic, with the latter offering parallel task execution. Drones forming a formation in flight can save energy by reducing drag forces and lift forces, thereby increasing the overall flight range. A combination of trucks and drones emerges as an effective solution for parcel delivery. In this model, the truck serves as a launching and charging station for the drones while transporting the goods.