Autonomous Vehicles and UAVs: A Comprehensive Review of Technologies, Applications, and Future Challenges

Autonomous vehicles (AVs) and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) are transforming mobility, logistics, agriculture, and public services through advancements in sensing, navigation, planning, and artificial intelligence. This paper provides a comprehensive review of recent technological developments, including multi-sensor fusion, AI-driven perception, GNSS-based and vision-based navigation, and motion planning strategies. Applications in precision agriculture, last-mile logistics, and healthcare delivery are discussed, alongside hardware optimization for UAV platforms. Furthermore, the paper examines societal and economic implications such as accessibility, regulation, and the disruptive impact on industries and employment. Key challenges including trust, cybersecurity, scalability, and equitable integration are highlighted, with future research directions identified to ensure safe, efficient, and socially responsible deployment of autonomous systems.