Drones have revolutionised the way we gather and analyse data, making it faster, more efficient, more accurate and more accessible. While the benefits of drone mapping in the commercial sector run far and wide, we have traced it back to one key benefit that makes it a game changer for operation efficiency. Scalability.
Government funded research agrees. The reduced costs of drone technology, coupled with the relaxation of government regulations, has opened many opportunities for organisations to incorporate this technology into their operations. A recent study supervised and funded by the World Road Association found that many governments around the world have “…used this technology successfully in various fields” and that there is “huge potential for UAS (drone) applications” (Rednoa).
In this article, we’ll explore aspects of how using drones for mapping makes your operations far more scalable, from increased accessibility to improved safety. Whether you're a seasoned surveying professional or just curious about the latest technology, this blog will provide valuable insights into the world of drone mapping and inspections. So buckle up and get ready to discover how drones are changing the game!
Drone mapping and inspections (also known as aerial imagery) can be easily scaled up or down to suit the needs of different projects, making it a flexible solution for various applications. The issue with traditional methods of mapping and inspections, such as boots on the ground, or deploying aircraft, is that they can’t easily be scaled in a cost effective manner. This month, you could fly 50 drone missions and inspect 1000’s of square meters of surface area. Next month, you could do absolutely nothing - and waste no resources whatsoever. Brilliant!
Let’s look at some of the benefits of drone mapping and inspections in the commercial sector.
With an aerial mapping drone, drone pilots can take off and fly to almost any location. Drones can reach areas that are difficult or impossible to access by foot or ground vehicles. These areas can range from tall or remote buildings, mountainous terrains, dense forests, to bodies of water and even disaster-stricken zones. This makes drone mapping and inspection an ideal solution for collecting data in hard-to-reach areas, providing valuable information for a wide range of applications.
Mapping with drones is far more cost-effective than traditional methods such as manned aerial surveys or ground surveys. One of the key benefits of drone mapping is cost-effectiveness. Traditional methods of mapping such as manned aerial surveys or ground surveys can be time-consuming and expensive.
In short, drone mapping is a cost-effective solution that can help organisations save time and money while still producing high-quality data and results.
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How can I deploy a drone based mapping and inspection operation?
Birdi is the leading drone based aerial imagery platform which enables enterprise businesses to deploy drone mapping and inspection operations. Enterprises can bring their own drones and pilots, or utilise Birdi’s network of contractors on demand. The power, however, is in the Birdi software platform which enables you to visualise your drone-captured images precisely on the Flight Map, as well as stitch the images into orthophotos for more detailed oversight - take a look at the platform now
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Capture topographic data significantly faster and with far less manpower when using a drone as compared to traditional methods. This allows for faster decision making and response. This is especially true for applications that require regular or real-time data and images.
Drones have the ability to capture high-resolution images and videos, which is one of the major advantages of using drones for mapping. Traditional mapping methods such as aerial surveys or ground surveys often lack the precision and detail that drones can provide. With drones, surveyors can capture high-resolution imagery that can be used to create accurate maps and 3D models. This high-resolution imagery provides a wealth of information for various applications, including topographic analysis, vegetation mapping, and infrastructure inspection. The ability to capture high-resolution imagery in real-time also allows surveyors to make quicker and more informed decisions, improving the overall efficiency of the mapping process. In short, the high-resolution capabilities of drones make them ideal tools for mapping, providing precise and detailed data that is essential for various applications.
Drones reduce the need for human inspection in dangerous or hard-to-reach areas, thus improving safety for workers and surveyors. The use of drones also allows for faster and more efficient response in emergency situations, minimising risk to rescue personnel.
Read more about how drones enhance site safety in this article.
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How can you use drone based mapping and inspections?
Take a look at some of the cool applications of aerial imagery we see in the Enterprise market, and hopefully you can use that to inspire ways that you can benefit from aerial imagery.
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