There are two main methods of drone mapping: photogrammetry and LiDAR (light detection and measurement). Photogrammetry. Photogrammetry is the process of using photographs to create 2D or 3D maps. LiDAR is a newer technology that uses lasers to measure distance.
Drone cartography or aerial topography in construction provide the final results in the form of maps. The two most common types of drone mapping methods are photogrammetry and LiDAR. Both methods offer different mapping results and require specific data processing software to study the data. Drone mapping works by taking lots of aerial images of an area of interest.
Through a process called photogrammetry, these numerous images are converted into a single complete image, called orthomosaic. All the objects and features of an orthomosaic are scaled and can be georeferenced. This means that it is possible to perform measurements associated with location, distance and area. Drone mapping: it is a process of collecting aerial data using unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).
Orthophotography and drone photogrammetry are the main categories within drone cartography. Also included are Lidar scanning and other types of data collection. It's a broad term that covers a lot of things. Let's deconstruct all parts of drone mapping and fully understand what the term implies.
For aerial mapping drones that use RGB cameras, a technique known as photogrammetry is used. In this technique, the drone captures the ground several times at different angles. A software assigns the tag number to each image with the coordinates of the location. Contour lines generally come in three varieties on any given map: index lines, intermediate lines, and supplementary lines.
Index lines are the thickest lines on the map and are usually labeled with a number that indicates the elevation above MSL (average sea level). The intermediate lines are thinner and are in an interval of five for each index line, which represents a variation in the loss or gain of elevation. The supplementary lines appear dotted and represent flatter and more level ground. As the technological barrier disappeared, digitization and mapping for topographic purposes became one of the main uses of drone cameras.
If you are considering an efficient, cost-effective and reliable company specializing in drone services for your aerial mapping project, GeoDrones offers drone services at the pace of your project needs. The ability of drones to capture images and data from above has proven that they are vital in several topographic workflows. Drone mapping makes it possible to collect very detailed data over a large area that is not possible using satellite images or traditional topography of the terrain. Since the United Arab Emirates is always on the lookout for adopting new innovative technologies, they are looking forward to using drone topography to model smart cities.
Aerial cartography and topography are also one of the essential applications that drones can perform efficiently. The good news for beginners to drone mapping is that there are many applications that can help you with drone mapping. Aerial cartography or drone topography refer to the capture of data from the surface using a sensor that looks down, towards the ground. An example of the flight path that a drone could follow for a drone mapping mission, created with Autel Explorer.
As the uses of drones are becoming more widespread, one of the most interesting applications of this technology is aerial topography. In the modeling of smart cities, they have devised a plan in which the drone would inspect the city for security reasons. While drones can collect data in many different ways, one of the most widespread methods is drone mapping.