The Numbers and the Benefits
In the wake of Industry 4.0, many companies have tried to utilise automation and data exchange in manufacturing technologies. This is especially prevalent in the construction industry, where the need for increased efficiency and delivering quality physical and digital products has become a necessity rather than an indulgence. Many technologies, such as artificial intelligence and drones, have sprung up to meet the challenge.
Call it a drone, Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV), Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) or Remote Piloted Aircraft System (RPAS), it usually involves a flying platform that is remotely controlled by a pilot assisted by flight software, onboard sensors and GPS/ GLONASS. It has a payload, usually a camera system, but could also be technologies such as LIDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) and thermal cameras. There is shared telemetry between the drone and the ground control station, which enables the pilot to fly stably.
The Numbers
DroneDeploy has compiled statistics on drone usage based on 100 million aerial images from 400,000 job sites in 180 countries in 2018. Below are some of the findings:
The construction industry has seen an increase of 239% in the adoption of drone technology. The other two industries directly related to construction, namely surveying and real estate, have an increase of more than 100% for each industry.
The Benefits
Many benefits are associated with using drones in construction: increased safety, cost savings, and better data collection and usage.Â
Drones are primarily used for:
- Progress tracking and communication
- Preconstruction and site planning
- Quality control and assurance
- Bid process preparation
- Job site risk mitigation. 55% of DroneDeploy customers report increased safety as a result of implementing drones.
Written by: 27Group – Comprises a network of strategic consulting and advisory firms with a shared vision of rebuilding humanity, specialising in various areas of expertise: Advisory, Digital, Capital and Projects.
Part 2: Drones in Construction: What does it mean for the Industry? The Why and the What
