The Rise of Drones in Construction

From the start of a project, drones capture aerial images and help to gather data for making surveys, topographical maps, and 2D and 3D models. Because it uses GPS readings, the data is highly accurate and is faster than data collected by ground crews. Because commercial drones can be launched at any time with very little fuss, data collection immediately becomes more accessible and more accurate.

Recently, drone use in the construction industry has skyrocketed – increasing 239% year over year. Mining is the only industry with an adoption rate even approaching that, and it tops out at a 198% increase. 

So, what’s behind this massive push for drone technology? Why are construction companies so quick to adopt UAVs, and what, exactly, are they bringing to the industry?

Here’s what you need to know.

The Advantages of Drones in the Construction Industry

• Ensure Accuracy. Drone-gathered data is highly accurate and allows for precise applications. This prevents mistakes caused by subpar data and will enable you to get more done, faster. The advancements of software technology allow drone footage to be incorporated for more accurate maps and designs for future construction sites.
• Cut Costs. Eliminate or reduce helicopter and pilot fees and allocate that money to other, more important areas. Reduce time-consuming ground observations and cut your crew costs in the process. Our drones make it easy for one person to do a job that used to require five or ten people on the ground.
• Share Data. Share data on building sites with remote engineers and other decision-makers. When everyone has access to the same data at all times, jobs run more smoothly. If your team encounters a problem, your drone can capture a part of the site or structure in unmatched detail. You can then share high-definition video or high-resolution stills with engineers, designers, and decision-makers, controlling delays and promoting ideal outcomes.
• Measure Progress. Monitor construction progress and share with clients and stakeholders. Give real-time reports to clients and keep everyone up-to-date on the progression of the build. Today, for example, drone footage can be securely archived with a timestamp. This allows teams to track the progress of a project and share that data/file with a client to increase transparency reporting on the true status of a project.

What Drones do on the Job Site

Robots haven’t quite taken over, but drones do play a critical role in lots of modern job sites. Today, builders across the country are using drones for a multitude of purposes, including the following:

• Collecting real-time project data in and around the building site
• Tracking progress
• Testing moisture and heat levels 
• Creating advanced mapping and imaging, which can later be used to create 3d walkthroughs and virtual tours
• Mitigating job site risk
• Enhancing and streamlining the bid process
• Quality control and assurance
• Pre-construction site planning

As you can see, drones do more than take advanced aerial images. Today, they’re helping projects run on-time and on-budget, increasing safety, protecting resources, and delivering accurate measurements and surveys. 

3 Places to Add Drones to Your Construction Operation

Ready to add drones to your construction operation? Here are three smart tips to help you put drones to work:

1. Utilize Drones for Project Management

Project managers are leading the charge on bringing drones into the job site. And for a good reason: drones have rendered it necessary for PMs to drive from jobsite to jobsite each day to monitor progress. 

Instead, drones can live on-site and launch along pre-programmed routes to survey development and collect real-time data. This keeps everyone on the same page and ensures teams are making the most informed decisions possible. 

2. Use Drones for Marking and Measuring

There are lots of time-consuming, manual processes on a jobsite, and posting flags and rolling out measuring wheels are a few of them. Fortunately, drones can take accurate measurements of site maps and send them straight to the computer. This allows your team to identify safety concerns and points that require more attention, as well as loading and unloading zones. 

3. Let Drones Help You Survey the Jobsite

The land beneath your building is one of the most critical aspects of your jobsite. Traditionally, though, it’s tough to survey this landscape accurately. With the help of drones, though, your team can save time and energy during your project’s survey phase. 

Not only can drones cover an entire construction plot in just minutes, but drone surveying can give you the information needed to generate accurate 3D models to educate groundcrews. 

Expert Drone Solutions for Construction Professionals

Adding technology to job sites is one of the best ways to move your construction operation forward. By employing drones for data capture, mapping, and more, your team can develop a more intelligent, streamlined jobsite that’s more competitive than it’s ever been. 

When you need aerial photos, maps videos or inspect an entire worksite while carrying out real-time diagnostics, you need an all-in-one solution. Hard to reach areas are no longer a problem or safety hazard for workers. Let us help educate you and your team on using drone solutions to anticipate future requirements.