Research project Drones are increasingly used in forestry, creating both new opportunities and safety risks. This project examines how different types of drones affect the work environment and develops models to support safe and efficient work in drone‑dense forest settings.
Drones are becoming an increasingly common tool in Swedish forestry, used for tasks such as surveying, planning, monitoring forest damage and supporting harvesting operations. As these technologies develop, new risks also emerge, especially when different types of drones – aerial, ground‑based and autonomous – operate simultaneously in the same environment. This project investigates how such multi‑drone systems influence safety, work routines and the daily tasks of those who work in the forest.
Forestry is undergoing rapid digital transformation, and drones are becoming an increasingly important part of everyday work in the sector. Today, drones are used to survey forests, map storm damage, support planning processes and provide high‑quality data for operational decisions. As the technology evolves, the industry is shifting from using single drones to more advanced systems where multiple types of drones – aerial, ground‑based and autonomous – operate together. This development offers significant opportunities but also introduces new safety challenges that affect the work environment.
This project aims to understand how such multi‑drone systems influence safety, risk management and day‑to‑day work practices in Swedish forestry. The focus is on how drone technologies interact with human labour: how tasks change, how responsibility is shared between people and machines, and what new risks arise when several drones are used simultaneously in the same area. Because forestry is already a high‑risk sector, it is crucial to develop knowledge that can support the safe and sustainable introduction of new technology.
The project is structured in three phases. The first phase maps how drones are currently used in forestry and identifies existing challenges, needs and opportunities. This includes gathering insights from industry actors, technology providers and organisations working with forest management.
The second phase consists of field studies, interviews and workplace observations. By examining real work situations, the project gains a deeper understanding of how drone systems function in practice, what risks workers encounter and how workflows can be improved.
The third phase focuses on analysis and the development of a governance framework that supports safe, efficient and coordinated use of drone systems. This framework will include recommendations on training, responsibility distribution, risk assessment and technical integration.
A central goal is to ensure that the project’s results are useful for practitioners. To support this, the project will produce video‑based training materials that translate research insights into practical guidance. These materials will be relevant for employers, safety representatives, educators and policymakers who work with digitalisation and safety in forestry. Close collaboration with industry partners and labour organisations ensures that the project remains grounded in real‑world needs.
By combining technological, organisational and work‑environment perspectives, the project aims to help the forestry sector make the most of drone technologies while strengthening safety, health and sustainable work practices. The results will be valuable not only for Swedish forestry but also for other industries where drones and automated systems are becoming part of everyday operations.
