Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) are revolutionizing the way land surveying is done. With the ability to capture images and data in the terrain below them, drones are becoming a powerful tool within the cartographic and topographic industry. They can perform 3D mapping, topographic surveys, photogrammetry and topography work effectively when flying above the ground. Topography with a drone offers enormous potential to GIS professionals. Using a drone to survey an area can substantially reduce the cost of an on-site inspection and the workload of specialists in the field.
However, it is important to note that drones are not allowed to fly in certain places. You need special permission to operate a drone on your private property or that of your clients, something that many would not expect. If you use a drone to survey an area where it's prohibited, you may be breaking federal law and could face criminal charges. When equipped with high-tech downward-facing sensors and cameras, a drone can quickly capture images and data in the terrain below it. Then, advanced mapping software processes the drone's data and converts it into high-quality 3D maps and models that accurately represent the Earth's geography and topography.
Orthomosaics, also called orthophotos, are groups of multiple aerial photographs of an area edited together to form a single image using photogrammetry. Before drones had an impact on the field of topography, creating accurate maps or 3D models of large plots of land would take anywhere from days to weeks. Now, with drones, it is possible to carry out topographic studies of the same quality as high-precision measurements collected by traditional methods, but in a fraction of the time. We provide just about everything you need to start performing drone inspections, including training your drone operators. Check that the drone's battery and connected devices, such as tablets, are fully charged and that the memory card in the drone's camera has enough empty space to capture the entire project. From construction to law enforcement, drone inspection will play an important role in how businesses operate in the future. Those working in industry can use drone topography to import images into computer-aided design (CAD) software to create accurate virtual models of developments. In this beginner's guide, we'll look at what a drone topographic survey is, its advantages compared to traditional terrestrial studies, and the different types of cartographic and measurement data it can offer.
From establishing the general slope of an area to creating detailed maps of every square meter, drone topography makes work easier, faster and safer for surveyors. Reconnaissance drones generate high-resolution orthomosaics and detailed 3D models of areas where low-quality, outdated or even no data is available. Aerial images taken by drones greatly accelerate and simplify topographic studies for land management and planning. You may be able to modify your drone with accessories so that it can perform the correct type of survey. The benefits of drone topography cover many different sectors and provide an accurate method for inspecting and evaluating small or large areas of land.
