Most people think of drones as being for entertainment, but they are finding use across many industries, including the construction industry. There are several tasks that drones can perform to help reduce costs, improve safety, and they can do the work more efficiently.

How Drones Are Helping The Construction Industry?

The drone role in the construction

Drones are compact aircraft devices that are controlled by remote control to collect data like photos and videos. The data they collect is sent to software for collection and analysis. In construction, there is an increasing preference for using drones to survey and map sites. The functionality and accessibility offered by drones make them a benefit to the construction industry in numerous ways.

1. Site survey and measurement

Drones can help with surveying as they allow for accurate and efficient measurements and data collection. This is beneficial for sites that have areas not easily accessible by humans. Along with initial site mapping, these measurements can be used to inform impact assessments and provide historical records.

2. 3D mapping

Along with surveys, drone software can create accurate contour maps allowing for both 2D and 3D models to be developed. 2D models can help with adjusting measurements accurately and 3D models offer imagery of an entire site with detail and accuracy.

3. Progress monitoring

The latest drone models feature real-time monitoring which is great for security, planning, and response. This replaces weekly progress mapping with greater accuracy and less money. These monitoring reports can also be easily shared amongst construction companies and clients, to enhance communication and project efficiency.

4. Security maintenance

Drone surveys on construction sites can be used to enhance security and any breaches can be handled quickly.Additional features like thermal imaging can also be added to drones to help identify over-heating units and fires from a safe distance.

5. Reaching inaccessible areas

Not only can drones reach areas of land that are inaccessible by foot, but they can survey and collect images of roof structures from below and above safely. This is easier and safer than sending workers into hazardous or difficult-to-reach areas.

What Can Drones Do in the Future?

As their accuracy and efficiency continue to be tested, the projected uses of drones in the construction industry grow. There are several areas that drones are expected to help in the future, including:

• Digital data – as drones get more use in construction, the entire industry may undergo a digital refurbishment with new mapping possibilities and models.
• Innovative systems – drones open the possibility for integrative systems to make construction projects more efficient. You will no longer have to collect and compare sets of data. Instead, drones collect and integrate data such as scanned measurements to provide a more integrative view of the project at hand.
• Entry into dangerous industries – the advanced safety aspects and minimization of risks offered by drones make drones a good fit for emergency services, allowing people to safely survey dangerous sites so as to properly plan rescues.

Conclusion

As the potential for drones in the construction industry grows, construction managers need to start planning their use and how best to incorporate drones in their company structure. Once a company decides that drones will be beneficial, it is time to plan implementation and invest in the hardware. With drones, any construction company can take their business to a higher level.