What are the uses of gyroplanes? From my understanding, a gyroplane (autogyro):


Is a rotocraft.
Uses an unpowered rotor for lift generation, instead of wings.
Uses a propeller for horizontal translation like an airplane.
Cannot take off vertically or hover contrary to an helicopter.
Can land vertically like an helicopter using rotor inertia.
Maybe simpler to build and maintain than an helicopter or an airplane.



(Source)

Are gyroplanes a technology that works but without particular application? Or do gyroplanes have well known uses for which they have significant advantages over airplanes and helicopters?
Gyroplanes have quite a few applications, but the problem is that anything they can do, others (helicopters/fixed wing aircraft) can do better.


The main advantage of a rotorcraft is that they can hover at a location; the gyroplanes are unable to do this, which is kind of a deal breaker.
The main advantage of the gyroplane is that they cost less and are easier to maintain, compared to other type of aircraft. However, most of the autogyros available in market are small ones and as the size scales up, this may vanish.
The gyroplanes are used mainly for low speed surveillance operations due to their low stall speed. Of course, helicopters can be used to do this, albeit at a higher cost
So basically, the autogyro can do most of the things the helicopters/small GA aircraft can do at a lower cost. This low operational cost may be its main advantage.


I'm not aware of anything the autogyro can do which the others cannot do though.