Do you know how drones are revolutionizing the construction industry? The usage of drones in the construction business is profound in providing solutions. Drone usability has surged on the job site by 239% during the last year. This, of course, is higher than any other commercial sector.
Drones are the optimal trending solutions—especially for the construction industry. Drone technology is well integrated with the construction business creating the newest possibilities.
With cutting-edge LiDAR sensors capable of scanning more than 500 acres a day, there are vendors like FlyGuys drone services who integrate drone inspections into your routine. The useful aerial footage that the drones can capture makes construction data more accessible and applicable.
Types of Drones Used in Construction Business
Let us now explore the types of construction drones. The following two classes are being used in construction:
- Fixed Wing Drone – Covers mapping and scanning over long distances.
- Rotary Drone – Captures imagery for short-distance inspections and surveillance.
Construction Drones: Key Features
Construction drones come with some unique features to assist in their operations. These are:
- GPS. The Drone GPS monitors and measures the longitude, latitude, and elevation points.
- Thermal Sensor. This sensor captures aerial heat and thermal photos.
- Camera. The drone shoots high-resolution images and videos covering time-lapse for effective decision-making.
- Software. The drone software accepts and manipulates data. It guides in planning flight pathways.
8 Ways How Drones Transform Construction
1. Thorough Coverage, Simplified Surveying
Drones excel at land mapping. With the optimal use of infrared, RGB, LiDAR, high resolution, and other latest methods of data capture, a team from FlyGuys drones services can cover up to 700 acres/day. They can complete this vast topographic mapping and land surveying in just 15 to 30 minutes. This saves you the costs of creating topographic maps using traditional means and several man-hours of labor.
The maps acquired are highly effective for business planning and development. Drone software uses the collected data and converts maps into 3D models. Teams improve project analysis and planning with such accurate 3D models.
2. Equipment Tracking and Automation
Drones help the company keep track of on-site equipment positioning. They further record disorders and malfunctioning. Automated construction, agricultural, and industrial drones aid in vigilance, emergency responses, and security.
3. Process Monitoring, Process Management, and Report Generation
Drones can improve operations by up to 65% as they capture data and footage in real-time. They generate reliable reports, so you can make more effective business decisions. Drones’ remote monitoring helps the administration with managerial tasks.
With vigilant process monitoring and management, you can boost your business. Use professional drone services to outshine your competition.
4. Jobsite Security Surveillance
Drones increase job-site safety and track the storage of equipment. They can detect unauthorized access to restricted sites and equipment. Additionally, FlyGuys drone services can even provide personalized services to your business. Such services include:
- Pre-construction streamlining
- Better material monitoring
- Increased site security and much more.
5. Staff / Labor Protection
Drones can increase personnel safety by 55% during on-site operations. They cover hard-to-reach areas and monitor for falls or accidents.
6. Drone Inspections
Inspecting a busy construction site can be risky, but drones have made it much easier and faster regardless if there is light or not. Drones aim at inspecting and capturing the as-built looks of the infrastructure.
You can also use drones to get the current status of the operations and progress on a daily basis. Drones are capable of sending the captured data to the software instantly for you to analyze and compile the data. Store it afterward and create solutions.
LiDAR Drones
LiDAR stands for Light Detection and Ranging. It continues to expand in usage with drone technology. LiDAR drones carry a LiDAR sensor for LiDAR mapping. They specialize in LiDAR data collection. This data will help design 3D models for various industries and applications.
The latest 3D model LiDAR sensor drone captures high-resolution footage in the dark. For instance:
- Mapping an eroded shoreline
- Investigate a late-night incident
- Surveying a dark forest
LiDAR scanning has made night vision monitoring more accessible than in the past. LiDAR drone technology uses highly accurate detailing in topographical maps or 3D modeling. It scans fast through thousands of acres. However, despite producing massive sets of data, fog and rain can affect its accuracy. Moreover, it also does not see through water.
What if You Combine Photogrammetry &LiDAR?
Both these technologies are different in usage, but you may sometimes need to use them both to get desired results. You can colorize the LiDAR point file using Programmetry. This way, you get colorized results and extract more accurate information.
Ground Quality Assessments
Assessing the ground quality is crucial before you start digging! At FlyGuys, we merge advanced technologies such as thermal and multi-spectral imaging. This enables us to consider comprehensive details that are relevant to the ground and soil quality before you start breaking the ground. These technologies also assist in analyzing various other factors like water leaks and heat loss in buildings.
7. Structured Photography and Aerial Imaging
The drone technology provides you with photogrammetry in surveying and mapping. This is to determine measurements between objects in construction. Digital photogrammetry means map-making from aerial photos. This multi-beam, multi-spectral remote sensing multiplies the benefits of the valuable survey work.
8. The Next-Level Marketing
Photos and videos captured from drones are exceptional sources to market your product or service. Many construction companies use drones to take footage to prepare presentations for clients and partners.
For example, if you own a home construction company, then sweeping aerial videography of newly made houses will make a big difference in the presentation of your ideas. You can further use this great marketing material for your brochures, social media posts, or your company websites.
Aerial imaging drones provide both feedback and feedforward. They can improve stakeholder communication with accurate and real-time imaging.
Who are Drone Pilots?
The drone pilots are well-trained individuals who specialize in providing you with country-wide drone services with desired results. Insured and FAA certified, these licensed drone pilots ensure quality during their surveys.
It is the responsibility of a drone pilot to operate surveyor drones. They specialize in surveys and inspection of different sites. They use these inspection gadgets to survey the land, buildings, roofs, and houses. They also do a pre-purchase inspection to protect your finances.
Picking the Right Drone for Your Business
We recommend picking the right drone for your business to meet your requirements. Now you might be wondering how to choose a drone.
Whether you are buying a drone for your hobby or professional purposes, you have plenty of options on the market. You may want to get aerial imaging, marketing, filmmaking, or surveillance. The cost of a drone ranges from $100 to over $10,000. Some of the drones are; DJI, Autel, and Skydio.
You should keep the following factors in your mind when you are purchasing one:
- Your budget
- Your intention
- Your experience
Wrapping Up
Companies that make the best use of drones have seen significant developments in no time. They identify problems early, rectify issues, and keep projects on schedule. They also improve workflow, communicate better, and gain accuracy for making reliable decisions.
Be it aerial imaging or LiDAR, drones are taking over the construction business. This digital transformation is inevitable and has now become a competitive advantage for many big establishments and focused startups.