Commercial drones are growing in popularity in the construction and agriculture sectors, enabling producers to increase efficiency and streamline routine tasks. This is all happening at a time when a persistent labor shortage makes it difficult to complete many jobs manually.
In a study conducted by PwC, the company's Drone-Powered Solutions team estimated that four applications for drone-powered solutions could generate more than $100 billion in revenue. Infrastructure topped the list at $45.2 billion, followed by agriculture at $32.4 billion.
While some contractors and farmers may not be ready to adopt this new technology beyond capturing aerial images and video, drones represent a significant technological advancement in these industries.
The types of drones used in construction and agriculture can improve efficiency, save costs, increase safety, and enhance project outcomes. We'll dive deeper into these topics in the following sections.
How are drones used in construction and agriculture?
Drone operations are becoming more common on construction sites and farm fields.
These unmanned aerial vehicles can be piloted remotely and are used for surveillance, photography, mapping, and data collection. Professionals in the construction and agriculture fields are adopting this technology because drones bring valuable efficiencies to their work.
A big reason drones are becoming popular in the construction and agriculture sectors is their ability to capture high-quality images and videos. Drones can create a visual record of progress on construction sites and farm fields. This drone data and documentation is useful for reporting, communication with stakeholders, compliance, identifying potential issues, and monitoring field progress for row crops.
Drones are most commonly used in construction operations for site surveying, mapping, and creating 3D models. This may include the following:
Aerial surveying: Provides a cost-effective way to capture high-resolution images, videos, and precise data.
3D land mapping: Utilizes advanced imaging technology to capture details and topographic data.
Topographic mapping: Collects detailed elevation data and analyzes the surface.
Volumetrics: Measure and assess inventory volumes at excavation sites, quarries, and quarries.
Project managers at construction companies also use drones for project planning and design. Drones collect data from large areas, which helps develop project plans and designs that minimize errors and optimize resource allocation.
Once work begins, drones can monitor construction sites and provide a chronological record of development. Traditional building inspections typically require one or more employees to oversee the work in person. Now, much of this work can be done efficiently with drones, recording videos and photos for later reference.
Another important benefit of using drones, especially in the construction industry, is for inspections. Drones equipped with cameras can be used to remotely inspect hard-to-reach or dangerous areas; these inspections may have previously been done in person. This not only improves safety, but also increases efficiency on the construction site.
Drones can be used for environmental monitoring, assisting in observing and assessing the impact of construction activities on the environment. This information is essential for complying with environmental regulations and demonstrates an organization's commitment to sustainability.
What are the benefits of using drones?
There are multiple benefits to using drones in construction and agriculture, from changing traditional tasks once completed by labor to creating a digital record of a project or farmland. The three main benefits of using drones are cost savings, improved safety, and data accuracy.
Reducing the need for manual labor and traditional surveying methods can result in significant cost savings. Efficient data collection and analysis can help streamline project timelines and reduce overall project costs.
