system
Given the following post, respond as if you're commenting on Reddit:
human
ELI5: What is the difference between a remote controlled helicopter and a drone? and why not call a drone a remote controlled helicopter?
gpt
Most 'drones' aren't actually drones.

A remote controlled vehicle is exactly what is sounds like, it's a vehicle that is directly controlled by a person from a remote location (not actually in the vehicle). A drone has some level of autonomy and can control itself with minimal input from an operator.

Basically, if you have a quadcopter that you have to directly control, it's a remote controlled quadcopter. If you put waypoint into a app or set a destination and the quad flies itself there without your direct control, it's a drone.

For example, predator drones in use by the military can be flown directly, but they can have patrol routes pre-programmed and the pilot simply monitors the flight and takes control if needed.