A drone built by Dragonfly Pictures, Inc. in Essington, Pa. Photo by Stephanie Aaronson for Philly.com

The state’s transportation department, PennDOT, uses a drone — the buzzy unmanned aerial vehicles — to photograph sinkholes, landslides and other geographic formations, Philly.com reported.

The state bought a $22,000 remote-controlled helicopter last year to help cut costs. Previously, the state would have to send a more expensive, manned aircraft to take those kinds of photographs.

Read more about how local groups are using drones here.

[Philly.com]