Aerial surveys gather meaningful information about the physical world. And Engineers have been using aerial surveying to gather geomatics information for a long time.
Aerial imaging became a source of information for city planning and mapping. Other fields of industry and agriculture also began employing aerial surveying as aircraft technology advanced and sensor capabilities increased.
A lengthy development period accompanied the emergence of aerial photography. Most maps made in the past only had one use: to serve as a visual planning tool for a one-time design project. But today’s technology makes it possible to use a wide range of sky-based measurements. Each gives more detail and clarity than the less detailed satellite data.
Aircraft were and are still used for aerial surveying. But advances in drone technology have enabled far lower altitude, as well as much more precise surveying and mapping. When compared, aircraft, especially twin-engine planes, can carry much more sophisticated and heavy equipment. However, drones can be outfitted with small but purpose-built systems. When compared with aircraft surveys, drone technology is more cost-effective as well.
Following are some of the current applications of aerial surveying:
- Aerial Imagery
- LiDAR Measurements
- Thermography
- 3D City Models
- Industrial Infrastructure Inspections
How do Drones Improve Aerial Inspections?
Aerial Inspection Instruments
For some, LIDAR is a brand-new, high value, rapidly adopted technology. An airborne LIDAR mapping system consists of a computer, a GPC receiver, inertial navigation equipment, and laser imaging equipment.
The LIDAR system uses laser pulses. It has a GPS receiver that gives exact information about the flight path. On the other hand, an inertial navigation system keeps track of how the aircraft moves to help it find its precise location. Information from laser pulses is added to information about where an aircraft is. Then it could figure out the X, Y, and Z coordinates of a dense network of sites on the ground. Locations are determined, and a map of the land is generated. Airborne LIDAR delivers excellent precision. Close-range applications are used in places like factories and buildings.
Another new notion is aircraft outfitted with thermographic cameras. A thermal picture is created using infrared (IR) radiation from an item, body, or place. Thermography is often used in the construction industry to track heat loss. A temperature colour chart helps determine how much energy (heat) a building is losing. Another application is monitoring industrial facilities.
Aerial Drone Inspection Applications and 3D Surveys
Drones equipped with aerial inspection sensors have grown in popularity as technology has evolved. Modern drones can carry sensors and payloads.
Small LiDAR sensors and photogrammetry cameras are the dominant technologies. Both can be used alone or in conjunction as hybrid sensors to be more effective. Gas detectors and thermal cameras are examples of other drone sensors.
Both photogrammetry and light detection and ranging (LiDAR) can be used to create a detailed map of a region. Photogrammetry uses drone photographs to build a 3D depiction of the ground, whereas LiDAR uses a laser to strike a landmark. Both are very accurate methods. Drones also can fly lower than aircraft, which makes LiDAR more accurate. Photogrammetric accuracy can be improved by using multiple-sensor oblique cameras.
LiDAR is used to map rough, forested, difficult-to-reach terrain and thin infrastructure such as power lines. LiDAR is used when accuracy and precision are crucial. Photogrammetry scans add context and need less modification. On the other hand, photogrammetry scans have a lot of context and don’t need to be modified much. With photogrammetry, it’s easy to understand maps and models.
Drones with varying payloads can snap high-density images from all perspectives. 3D photography can create orthomosaics of vast geographical regions and give valuable data for developing water or controlling wildlife and vegetation. Inspections of plants and infrastructure can be sped up using 3D mesh models. Drones can do aerial inspections and 3D evaluations of mines, factories, and other industrial sites.
Advantages of Drone Surveying Over Traditional Inspection Methods
Commonly referred to as UAVs and UAS, drone have many advantages over more traditional surveying methods. Various sectors use them due to their versatility and capacity to carry a variety of sensors.
Drones can quickly gather data from viewpoints and locations, but traditional methods take much longer. They have access to areas that ordinary people are unable to access. Drones can swiftly and accurately gather data while removing the risks associated with operating in restricted spaces, polluted surroundings, or other challenging conditions. The physical load of physically reaching and measuring locations in potentially hazardous or inaccessible situations is eliminated from human operators.
In addition to being more precise than conventional procedures, they pose less risk to workers. Different purpose-built sensors can quickly and accurately capture massive amounts of data. Thus, inspecting equipment never interrupts production for lengthy periods.
Drones’ capacity to map inaccessible places at low cost and with few personnel requirements makes them an attractive option. Industrial uses benefit far more from the use of drones for surveying purposes.
Industries That Can Use Drone Surveying
Commercial drone surveys have applications in many fields. Up-and-coming businesses include mining, infrastructure, construction, land surveying, and mapping. Nonetheless, wildlife and vegetation monitoring, surveillance, and transportation projects are only some of the new applications for drones.
Drones used for surveying, like the Emesent Hovermap Scanner, are revolutionising the way industries like mining and construction conduct non-contact inspections of hazardous or inaccessible areas. Sophisticated mobile drone scanners may utilise LiDAR to build a 3D map of a minefield.
Autonomous drones can fly around and collect data for building and infrastructure projects. High-resolution point clouds can be turned into a CAD-ready dataset, which can then be used to make a 3D model. They could map and analyse certain buildings, record LiDAR and scan a whole bridge or power line.
More and more sectors will conduct inspections with aerial surveying drones. Their benefits and use are unparalleled.