What is a Drone Survey?
Drone Survey is the process of capturing data – aerial photos and videos, of the survey area with drones. A single drone flight produces millions of data points per sqkm, which can be represented in different formats such as the orthomosaic, point cloud, DTM, DSM, 3D models, and much more.
But, it’s more than just about the drones; the powerful payloads provide us with robust data that generate results. This survey data is then processed; our GIS engineers draw valuable insights from this processed data for progress tracking, volume measurements, enhanced team collaboration, and much more – based on the clients’ requirements. Want to know more about Drone Survey? Click here to learn more.
How much area can a Drone Survey?
Well, it depends on various factors like the drone’s endurance, accuracy level, area-specific regulations, and much more. However, to answer the question, let us consider one of the best drones in the market, the DJI M300 RTK.
The UAE’s legally allowed altitude is 120 metres (400 ft). At a 120-metre altitude and with a 60% front and side overlap, M300 can cover up to 2.38 sq. km. per flight.
Is Drone Survey accurate?
Of course, drones can provide us with survey-grade accuracy. To be precise, the data captured using an efficient drone, apt payloads, proper flight planning, and commercial grade processing software can deliver around 2-3cm horizontal and around 5-6cm vertical accuracy.
Which Drone is the best for Survey?
Well, you can’t expect a definite answer, as this depends on your mission parameters. However, you can have the ‘best’ considering certain scenarios like the mission requirements, environmental conditions, and so on.
For instance, if you’re looking for construction monitoring and your site is small, located in an urban area, then DJI’s Phantom 4 RTK is an excellent choice. It is a brilliant entry-level drone designed for surveying, which incorporates a 1″ CMOS 20MP sensor to give you accurate data.
But, if you are looking for a versatile drone for critical missions, you should go for the DJI M300 RTK. It is built for the most demanding environments and can carry multiple payloads. Moreover, it is IP45 rated, and it gives you an impressive flight time of up to 55 minutes.
Now, if your site is vast and you’re concerned about how many flights and batteries you’d need to cover the entire area, then go with senseFly’s eBeeX.
Will Drones replace Surveyors?
A common misconception, but the answer is NO. Drones are becoming increasingly popular in Surveying and Mapping, and the future looks even brighter with the advancements in drone technology. However, drones cannot replace human intelligence. Even though drones allow you to conduct operations with a fraction of the human resources while improving efficiency and accuracy, they can not possibly replace a surveyor on site; on the other hand, drones are a tremendous invaluable asset in a surveyor’s toolbox.
