How Drones Can Benefit Construction Companies
Drones have immense benefits for construction companies. Learn them here.
With the advent of drone technology, documentation of construction sites has never been easier. Drones offer many benefits to construction companies such as mapping, safety inspections, data collection, better communication, and marketing. We’ll cover each of these benefits in detail.
Mapping – The Common Drone Deliverables in Construction
When drones gather data of construction sites, that data enables companies to better plan, design and monitor their projects overtime. This data is gathered either daily, weekly or monthly by a trained drone pilot and can offer several deliverables to superintendents and project managers. These deliverables include 3D models and 2D orthomosaic maps (picture a flat map laid out on a table offering a top-down view of the site). Both deliverables can be used to track progress throughout the construction process but do so differently.
3D models are typically used for visual inspection but, when coupled with LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) or NeRF (Neural Radiance Fields) technology, OBJ files can be rendered and input into AutoCAD software for engineers to thoroughly examine. Orthomosaics on the other-hand, have various deliverables within themselves such as DSMs (Digital Surface Models) or DTMs (Digital Terrain Models) to measure elevations. They can be used for volumetric data of stockpiles, accurately measure across distances, and view overall cartography and topography. Orthomosaics contain hundreds, sometimes thousands of photos which are geo-tagged and can be linked to a geodetic datum set (think latitude and longitude coordinates) which offers the ability to create highly accurate maps.
Safety Inspection
Safety inspections are of course extremely important on construction sites. In 2020, when most if not all industries had slowed down, construction accounted for 35% of workplace deaths according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Additionally, about 21,400 nonfatal workplace injuries occurred in the construction industry.
Drones offer the ability for companies to better inspect their projects for safety hazards and potentially dangerous areas for workers to be in. Conditions on-site rapidly change due to quick build times, delays, or weather patterns. Drones can safe-guard construction companies at risk for employees suffering from workplace-related injuries by delivering thorough aerial and close-up views of equipment such as a scaffolding, ladders and other climbing equipment. Not investing in drone technology could cost companies millions of dollars due to legal cases of safety negligence.
Data Collection
Traditional methods of data collection usually consist of a small team driving on-site and taking days to record all the data. Because the process is slow, the data gathered could be outdated by the time it’s delivered. Drones in comparison can quickly capture the data, process and send multiple deliverables within hours whilst remaining objectively true with its methodology of geo-tagging images. This results in saved time and money for the construction company.
Improved Communication
With a construction company having many teams, projects, building materials, and deadlines; communication is key to remain efficient in their workflows and for the decision-makers to be on the same page for each site. This requires consistent, reliable data for everyone to have access to and review as a team. Drones fill the need for such by delivering consistent progress updates of construction in whatever form whether by images, video, 3D models or orthomosaics. By this data filling the gap of overall construction site progress, teams on-site can be better directed by their leaders to complete tasks on schedule and for the company to avoid falling behind on their projects.Write your text here...
Marketing
Construction companies need to showcase their ability to investors, stakeholders, cities and governments to prove they can execute the job. Marketing materials enable companies to communicate to these entities of their capabilities and do so in a professional and convincing manner. The same deliverables such as 3D models can be shown in presentations to potential clients and give an experience that’s different than most standard sales pitches. Lastly, marketing on company websites and social media is crucial to win over new clients for constructions and gathering aerial media like cinematic video to show off past projects can leave a lasting impression.
Conclusions
Drones have many uses in the construction industry and offer workflow improvements which can save time and money. The data gathered by drones is comprehensive offering views unparalleled to traditional methods of surveying. Safety guidelines can be better met through routine progress reports throughout all stages of construction and result in better risk-management of workplace injuries. Communication across all teams is also improved by the same data being shared amongst all groups, resulting in efficient assignment of work for each day and reaching the goal to complete the project on time and with money saved.
Orthomosaic of a park rendered by Maps Made Easy - Firebird Drones
3D Model rendered with Luma Labs. Captured by Firebird Drones
Residential Roofing Photo by Firebird Drones
Construction Photo by Firebird Drones
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