7 Ways Drones Are Changing The Construction Industry

Drones in the Construction Industry by Los Angeles Aerial Image

Drone usage is skyrocketing in various industries. According to reports, the global drone market will be worth an estimated $30.6 billion in 2022, growing with an 8.3% compound annual growth rate (CAGR).

The construction industry significantly benefits from drones as they can conduct various tasks. They consume less time than traditional methods and increase efficiency. Here is why drones are entering the construction industry and changing conventional construction methods.

The Impact Of Drones On The Construction Industry

Drones are Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) that remote operators on the ground control. According to a report from Goldman Sachs, the US agriculture and construction sector will have the highest opportunities for drone usage. Here is how drones are shaping the construction sector

1.    Efficient Site Measurement And Survey

Geographic Informtion System (GIS) professionals can have significant surveying benefits with drones. We can carry out high-quality topographic surveys and acquire accurate measurements in less time with drones. Drones significantly reduce the workload and site-survey costs. Most drones use multispectral and RGB cameras with LIDAR payloads. The RGB camera on drones gives us a well-photographed image from various angles.

Not only does drone survey become faster, but it also significantly reduces the costs by decreasing the required workforce. Drones fly at much lower altitudes than satellite images and make high-resolution, accurate, faster, and less expensive images.

Drones are a trustworthy source for accurately measuring the survey site. Data obtained from drones can range in the cloud, point, DTM, contour lines, DSM, and other formats.

2.    Seamless Construction mapping and 3D modeling

Satellite mapping is costly for local, weekly, and daily time-series mapping and acquiring high-resolution satellite imagery. It is a significant concern for many construction companies as it can get out of budget. The development of drone and UAV technology enables small construction businesses to access a broader range of imaging sensors.

As we have discussed above, modern construction drones are equipped with RGB cameras along with developing 3D models with photogrammetric and situation mapping with help from geographic information systems.

The construction modeling and mapping require image stability. Modern drones have high-quality dreadlocks that can provide a highly stable image.  Moreover, it is helpful for areas with limited power supply. Engineers can also generate 2D images with mapping data from drones with accurate measurement and adjustment.

3.    Quick Site And Equipment Tracking

The application of UAVs and drones has made construction tracking easy and accurate. The combination of drone capabilities with modern equipment and scientific instruments has enabled designers to work on their set road map.

Construction UAVs give us a birds-eye view of the site for tracking fundamental routine inspection, development, and safety. The sight drones provide different angles and perspectives that are impossible to capture from ground inspection.

Moreover, geotagging capabilities of drone maps enable us to capture a specific area measurement. It helps us to transform extensive data into quick and reliable information for decision-making. We represent sites as an orthomosaic map, a collection of images that are digitally linked together. Site tracking allows us to conduct an in-depth analysis as it can calculate accurate distance between two points.

Moreover, when construction companies work with a diverse range of products on an extensive site, they face difficulties tracking the machinery and equipment. A drone can be highly beneficial for locating, identifying, and keeping track of equipment.

4.    Progress Reports And Remote Monitoring Are Easy With Drones

Progress monitoring is a crucial function in the construction process. Site managers responsible for progress reporting and monitoring need drones to provide accurate data and measure the correct KPIs. They have to collect data that’s sometimes hard to access, and there is a risk of missing information during the manual survey.

Drones answer most progress reporting and monitoring issues by addressing schedule conflicts, labor costs, and the timely need for an accurate and transparent site progress report. The most valuable and unique selling point of a drone is that it saves considerable time in the inspection and communication phase. Moreover, it sends the data immediately with proper channels to stakeholders, managers, and engineers.

5.    Drones Improve Construction Safety

 Construction sites have many safety issues. With drone construction, teams can observe hard-to-reach areas that pose a danger to workers. You can reach such space areas without human interference and much faster. Moreover, drones also improve communication among team members, which is crucial for a project’s success.

Because of heavy equipment, drilling, and other construction activities, manual site surveys can become dangerous. On the other hand, drones can cover entire areas and conduct efficient site surveys with less time and little manual involvement.

6.    Enhanced Site Security Surveillance

Construction sites are loaded with valuables, and site theft is a big problem for construction companies. Numerous appliances, machinery, and tools can cost millions of dollars. Companies are always concerned about the security of the goods and the staff guarding them. 

A drone can provide superior security along with site guards and CCTV cameras. They can fly over the construction areas, monitor the storage, and ensure its safety. Modern construction drones come with high-tech technologies like night vision, infrared, and motion sensors that can make day and night surveillance foolproof.

7.    Structure Inspection And Photography

Drones are ideal candidates for inspecting construction projects. They can help in replacing heavy machinery and bulky scaffolding. They can photograph areas that require maintenance, otherwise needing large teams and added expenses and safety concerns.

Drones can be flown near buildings, highways, bridges, and many more places. We can easily cover large-scale sites in a few hours and considerably lower costs with drones.

Wrapping Up

Drones have become necessary equipment in many industries, and in the construction industry the use of drones is rapidly growing & becoming standard practice in today’s projects.  Investing in a good drone company, like Los Angeles Aerial Image, can benefit a construction company in the short and long run. Modern drones are equipped with the latest technologies and instruments to help reduce labor costs and save you time and money. Construction drones and UAVs are a must for staying ahead of the competition in today’s ever-changing world.