What is a common application of half-duplex communication?

Half-duplex communication allows for data transmission in both directions, but not simultaneously. This means that while one party is transmitting, the other must wait to transmit until the first party has finished. Walkie-talkies operate on this principle, where one person speaks, and the other must wait until the speaker is done before they can respond. This is a defining characteristic of half-duplex communication.

In contrast, telephone conversations employ full-duplex communication, where both parties can speak and listen simultaneously. Internet browsing and real-time video streaming typically utilize full-duplex communications as well, permitting continuous data exchange in both directions without interruption. The half-duplex nature of walkie-talkies makes them a quintessential example of this type of communication.