Drones In Construction And Engineering

Investment spending into drone technology from architecture, engineering and construction (AEC) organizations is expected to exceed $11 billion. This speaks volumes to the disruptive potential of drones as a tool to this industry as companies are realizing major efficiencies and safety improvements from implementing drones.

• Frequency: drones can be deployed to collect up-to-date data on a regular interval with minimal cost and disruption to operations.
• Data quality: sensor technology enables operators to collect high-quality precision data from LiDAR and other camera sensors. Furthermore, imaging data can be obtained from hard to reach or in accessible areas.
• Data analysis: data can be processed into 3D photogrammetry or point-clouds which can be further analyzed to extract volumetric calculations, stockpiles, elevation models etc.
• Safety: operators can collect data from a safe vantage point improving safety up to 55%, reducing the need for humans to enter often hazardous environments.
• Efficiency: drones and sensors can collect data from large areas more efficient and accurate than a person.

Applications:

• Construction site progress monitoring: daily or even hourly flights can be performed to document and digitize sites.
• Structural inspections: can be performed with ease using drone platforms with high-zoom cameras such as the Z30.
• Site surveys: elevation modeling, centimeter-level precision survey grade mapping capabilities.
• Stakeholder presentations: create stunning presentations from a different perspective from high-definition video and photo captures. 
• Building Information Management BIM: digitize assets with real life dimensions.