drone

  • What does “drone survey” mean?

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    Coyote Hunters Team

    Drone surveys include using an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) to collect airborne data using LIDAR payloads and downward-facing sensors like RGB or multispectral cameras. An RGB camera is used to take many pictures of the ground at various angles during a drone survey, and each shot is geotagged with coordinates.

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    A photogrammetry program can produce elevation models, georeferenced orthomosaics, or three-dimensional representations of the project area using this data. Additionally, information such as volumetric measurements and extremely exact distances may be extracted from these maps.

    Drones can fly far lower than human aircraft or satellite imaging, which makes it possible to provide high-resolution, high-accuracy data much more quickly, cheaply, and independently of atmospheric circumstances like cloud cover.

    What advantages can drones offer for surveying?

    You may now do drone surveys that span hundreds of hectares in a matter of only a few flights, right? Drones for surveys can be used for:

    Cut down on survey expenses and field time.

    Drones can collect topographic data up to five times faster and with less labor than land-based techniques. You save time with PPK geo-tagging as well since it eliminates the need to set up several GCPs. In the end, you provide your survey data more quickly and for less money.

    Give thorough and precise data.

    Only individual points are measured by total stations. Thousands of measurements are made during a single drone flight, and these measurements may be shown in a variety of ways (such as orthomosaic, point clouds, DTM, DSM, contour lines, etc.). 3D geo-data is contained in every pixel of the generated map or point of the 3D model.

    Map regions that are otherwise inaccessible

    Drones used for aerial surveys have a very long takeoff and flying range. No more are you constrained by inaccessible regions, dangerously steep inclines, or difficult terrain that is inappropriate for standard measurement instruments. Roads and railroad tracks don’t have to be closed. As a matter of fact, data may be collected in real time without causing any organizational burden.

    How do drones become employed for surveying purposes?

    surveying and mapping of land

    Drones used for surveying produce detailed 3D models and high-resolution orthomosaics of regions for which there is a lack of data or just poor data. They thereby make it possible to swiftly and simply create high-accuracy cadastral maps, even in intricate or challenging-to-access locations. Features such as signs, curbs, road markers, fire hydrants, and drains can also be extracted by surveyors from the photos.

    These same photos may create very precise elevation models, contour lines, breaklines, and three-dimensional (3D) reconstructions of structures or land locations after being post-processed with photogrammetry software.

    Development and land management

    Drone-captured aerial photos expedite and streamline topographic surveys for land management and planning. This is valid for surveying potential sites, designing and planning allotments, and completing the construction of buildings, roads, and utilities.

    Additionally, these photos serve as the basis for intricate site topography models used in pre-construction engineering investigations. Engineers may begin working with a 3D model right away by transferring the created data to any CAD or BIM program.

    Drones may collect data at a cheap cost and with ease. Images can be collected at regular intervals and superimposed on the original drawings to determine whether the building activity is proceeding as planned.

    Accurate measurements

    With the use of high resolution orthophotos, surveyors can measure surfaces and distances with extreme accuracy.

    Volumetric measurements of stockpiles

    Volumetric measurements can also be obtained from the same photos using 3D mapping software. For inventory or monitoring reasons, the quick and affordable volume measuring method in mines and quarries is very helpful in calculating inventories.

    Surveyors may obtain many more topographic data points—and hence more precise volume measurements—by using drones. Additionally, they can accomplish this far more safely than if they had to physically get the data by moving a stack up and down. There won’t be any interruptions to on-site work because drones are gathering data from above. A site snapshot may be taken at a particular moment in time because to the quick acquisition time.

    Slope surveillance

    Slope data may be extracted from drone imagery-generated DTMs and DSMs using automated GIS analysis. The locations may be categorized and utilized for slope monitoring, including landslide mitigation and prevention, based on how steep the ground’s surface is.

    It is feasible to identify variations in earth movement and calculate its velocity using orthomosaics recorded at various points in time. This information may be used to anticipate landslides and avert possible harm to bridges, railroads, and roadways.

    Drones provide for more thorough data collecting as compared to conventional monitoring methods that rely on sensors installed at discrete locations. Since these places are frequently hazardous or difficult to access, PPK capable drones—which do not necessitate the layout of several GCPs—are ideal for this application.

    City planning

    As urban areas get denser and more complex, extensive planning and costly, time-consuming data collecting are necessary. Drones have made it possible for urban planners to gather a lot of current data quickly and with a lot fewer employees. Planners can study the locations’ current social and environmental characteristics and evaluate the effects of various scenarios by using the pictures created in this manner.

    Buildings may also be simply superimposed onto their surroundings thanks to 3D models, providing residents and planners with an experimental viewpoint on a challenging development project. Additionally, cast shadows and outlooks/views may be analyzed and shown with 3D models.

  • Drone Roof Inspections: All the Information You Need

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    Coyote Hunters Team

    One efficient method to save costs and improve speed, safety, and accuracy when assessing or measuring rooftops is to use drones for roof inspections. This makes it possible to collect important data that, depending on the business, may be utilized for a variety of goals.

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    Drones may greatly assist in overcoming the difficulties posed by rooflines, which are growing increasingly complicated and challenging to manually negotiate using conventional methods. Nowadays, a sizable portion of construction experts use unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) to survey buildings in order to evaluate the condition of the roofs for upkeep, repairs, measuring, and other uses.

    UAVs may be used in a variety of industries, not just construction, building, or roof inspection businesses. Marketers may utilize aerial photographs to highlight the buildings they are selling, while insurance firms can employ drones to do drone roof inspections.

    Drones are a popular tool for roof inspections for a variety of reasons. These include lower costs, quicker inspection times, safety, and better data as compared to manual approaches that are more traditional.

    A standard method for drone inspection

    Building experts or contractors can utilize off-the-shelf or customized drones in conjunction with the right software program for a standard roof inspection. A typical drone-based inspection goes like this: these phases are shown below.

    The flight plan is created on the app by the estimator, operator, or pilot. This can be completed at the office or on-site, and it entails defining the roof’s perimeter after the building’s address has been specified.

    The pilot launches and controls the drone using the controller or a mobile app after confirming that everything is set up and the plan is ready.

    Depending on the sensors and the purpose of the inspection, the drone will automatically follow the flight route while capturing pictures and any other information.

    About ten minutes after takeoff, the drone will autonomously land in accordance with the plan and send the data to the mobile device or any other place that has been specified.

    The automatic discovery of flaws that a human eye is likely to overlook is made possible by the addition of AI and other software technologies. Additionally, a variety of photography and analysis capabilities enable the creation of 3D models and the production of important reports for marketing, insurance evaluations, maintenance, bidding, and other purposes using drone inspection software.

    Why drones are perfect for inspecting roofs

    Unmanned aerial vehicles or systems operate from a distance and don’t need a human worker to be present in person on the rooftop to conduct inspections. Typically, the inspector will operate the equipment from a secure location on the ground as the UAV flies over the structure, capturing pictures, thermal imaging, and, if needed, videos.

    Both the building owner and the inspection business save a lot of money when drones are used.

    The following are some of the factors that make drones a desirable technological option for individuals seeking rapid, easy, and affordable inspection solutions.

    Cutting down on inspection time

    It is not necessary to carry, assemble, or set up heavy access equipment in order to conduct a drone-based examination. Consequently, this reduces the amount of time needed to carry out the inspection itself following preparation. A drone inspection may also be planned considerably more quickly and easily than with a traditional technique.

    It simply takes ten to thirty minutes to do the check and provide the findings to a central location. Depending on how complicated the roof is, a traditional way can take all day or even longer.

    Companies are able to conduct many and regular roof inspections since drones make the process simpler and quicker.

    Economical

    In many aspects, the drones can reduce the cost of inspections. It reduces the need for personnel, equipment, and time. It lowers the dangers and the need to buy or rent ladders and other bulky climbing and access equipment by doing away with the need for them. As a result, neither the employees nor the equipment need to be insured.

    To plan, arrange, and gather the data from a roof using a manual technique might take hours or even days. However, a drone can accomplish the same task faster, cheaper, and with less danger to one’s health and safety in less than an hour.

    Decrease the dangers to safety

    Performing roof inspections by hand is typically challenging, time-consuming, and dangerous. The more intricate the roof design and the taller the building or structure, the more difficult the tasks become. Risks include electrocution, falling from access equipment like ladders, becoming trapped in small areas, and more.

    In contrast, a drone-based inspection removes the requirement for a person to physically be present at the inspection site. Usually, the drone pilot or operator conducts the inspection from a secure distance when doing a roof evaluation.

    Typically, all a drone needs to do a simple examination are the appropriate sensors, such thermal, picture, and video cameras. To improve the functionality, other choices like GPS, gas detectors, and others could be included.

    Improved and useful data

    Drones not only save inspection times, costs, and hazards, but they may also gather more thorough, accurate, and relevant data, among other advantages. For roofing contractors, solar installers, building businesses, insurance companies, marketers, etc., this makes them perfect tools.

    Additionally, businesses have access to a multitude of technologies that they may utilize for analysis in order to give stakeholders relevant information. In order for building management and insurance firms to interact with other common applications, the majority of software solutions can generate reports from the drone data in a format that is compatible. This facilitates the inspection data’s understanding and dissemination to the appropriate parties.

    Drones make it possible to check and send results considerably more quickly, which facilitates rapid or timely decision-making.

    Reliable and accurate inspections

    It can be difficult to find leaks, damaged insulation, and other roof flaws with the naked eye, especially if they are not readily apparent. Nonetheless, equipping the drones with appropriate sensors—like infrared and picture cameras—will enable them to detect leaks, damaged insulation, and other roof flaws.

    Drones are able to collect measurements, record video, and snap pictures from the same location and angle. This is typically a useful feature when minute details need to be confirmed or clarified. A task like this takes a few minutes.

    Using manual procedures, which sometimes need trial and error and never guarantee a perfect replication of a previous activity, makes this nearly difficult. Repetitive tasks are significantly more difficult when they must be completed by a different employee.

    Because of this, while comparing before and after repair photographs or needing to clarify certain elements, operators may repeat the process with confidence and the drones provide improved data.

    Drones offer a way to close the data gap.

    Due to the numerous drawbacks and high expenses of conventional inspection techniques, the majority of building owners, insurance underwriters, maintenance providers, and marketers do not have access to information on the condition of the roofs.

    Drones, on the other hand, can close this gap as they provide a less expensive, speedier examination. Anyone may now assess more easily and affordably, regardless of the time or cost.

    Typically, the traditional approach calls for specialized knowledge to carry out the examination and collect the necessary information. Nonetheless, a someone with mediocre abilities can do the assessment from a secure vantage point and avoid ascending the structure. This lowers the danger to public safety in addition to the inspection’s duration and expense. As a result, the drone enables enterprises to conduct further examinations.