In my previous posts on this website, I have analysed Satellite Imagery and extracted information to perform studies on Air Pollution, Object Detection, Fire Detection, Flood Detection, Urban Heat Island and Land Subsidence. Essentially, a satellite is an Eye in the Sky, operating at altitudes in excess of 500 kilometers, which captures geodata that can be processed for a variety of workflows.
Just like Satellites, Drones are Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) too - albeit which are usually operated at much lower altitudes. While satellites are better equipped to capture data over large geographic extents quickly, drones are better equipped to capture data over smaller geographic extents albeit with finer detail and with more accuracy.
A Drone is an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle which comprises of two vital components - a) the Copter and b) the Payload.
While the Copter's characteristics determine the drone's strength, how far it can fly and at up to what height, it is the sensor(s)-carrying Payload which determines the Industrial Applications that a drone can be deployed for.
Let me highlight 10 such Industrial applications of Drones -
(Disclaimer: This isn't an exhaustive list. The purpose of the article is to showcase a wide variety of applications suitable for a variety of industrial workflows)
1. Aerial Mapping
Survey a geographic extent aerially. Identify features, measure distances, demarcate zones, create an engaging illustration etc. Suitable for industries & institutions.
Video 1: See how location features get mapped from an orthomosaic image -
2. Asset Inspection
Inspect assets in hard to reach places or where human inspection is costly, time-consuming, or unsafe such as electrical and telecom towers, under a bridge, over roofs, and so on. Suitable for Oil & Gas, Telecom, Utilities among several other industries.
Video 2: See how Drones perform Thickness NDT (Non-Destructive Testing) of a Boiler Chimney-
3. Message Amplification
Deliver and spread messages to a crowd from the sky. Useful for crowd management, training, emergency response measures, and so on. Suitable for Law Enforcement, Events & Hazmat.
Video 3: See how Police in India use a Megaphone as the payload to communicate & manage crowds-
4. Multispectral Imagery
A Multispectral payload captures data not only in the visible light bands of the electromagnetic spectrum but also in multiple bands on either side of the visible light spectrum - we can see surface characteristics in forms that Optical i.e. Natural Photo Imagery (captured using the visible portion of the electromagnetic spectrum) cannot reveal to us. Useful for Agriculture Workflows, Object Classification, Damage Assessment, among other specialized purposes.
Video 4: See how Drones can map Agricultural fields using a Multispectral payload and generate valuable insights about crop health -
5. Photogrammetry
Photogrammetry is the science of obtaining measurements and building 3D models of objects and environments from Photographs i.e. Optical Imagery. Useful for Spatial Visualization, monitoring Construction Progress, among other Architecture-related workflows.
Video 5: See ta detailed 3D model of a residential project - built using the optical imagery acquired by the Photogrammetry payload of a drone -
6. Search & Rescue Missions
Scan large areas quickly to spot lost persons, monitor drowning incidents, track wild creatures, vehicles, among other workflows. Drones can traverse tricky terrain with ease and are particularly useful for emergency situations where time is of the essence.
Video 6: See a promotional video which showcases how Drones can map out a remote / obscure location and help expedite rescue operations -
7. Security & Surveillance
Similar to the previous workflow, albeit more specialized, Drones are useful for monitoring live creatures (humans / animals) as well as inanimate objects (vehicles, perimeter fencing). Suitable for Factories, Mining, Sensitive Establishments etc.
Video 7: See how a Drone is able to capture human and vehicle movement at night using Thermal sensors as its payload -
8. Specialized Surveys
Involves precise and exhaustive high resolution mapping of surface features as well as on occasion, subsurface features at the site. This is possible due to specialized sensors such as LiDAR (Light Detection & Ranging) and GPR (Ground-Penetrating Radar). Works in Generic Construction Environment as well as in Indoor Environments (Tunnels), Underground Environments (Mines) and for mapping Urban Landscapes.
Video 8: Here you will see the beauty of LiDAR mapping (Light Detection & Ranging) - wherein data is captured for the surface features with an amazing level of detail
9. Volumetric Estimation of Stockpile
Measure and analyze the quantity and volume of Raw Material, Inventory and Finished Goods at Ports, Mines or Warehouses from the multi-dimensional imagery captured by the drone.
Video 9: See a video on the processing steps to perform Volumetric Analysis from Drone Footage -
10. Supply Drops & Other Drone Applications
Drones are being extensively used to supply or disperse small packages (Spare Parts, Fertilizers, Medicines, Food Packets etc.) within Line-of-Sight distances or even beyond. Suitable for Ecommerce, Healthcare and Manufacturing organizations.
Video 10: See how Drones aid in Odour Removal by spraying chemical enzymes over Landfills -
ABOUT US
Intelloc Mapping Services | Mapmyops.com is based in Kolkata, India and engages in providing Mapping solutions that can be integrated with Operations Planning, Design and Audit workflows. These include but are not limited to - Drone Services, Subsurface Mapping Services, Location Analytics & App Development, Supply Chain Services, Remote Sensing Services and Wastewater Treatment Solutions. The services can be rendered pan-India, some even globally, and will aid an organization to meet its stated objectives especially pertaining to Operational Excellence, Cost Reduction, Sustainability and Growth.
Broadly, our area of expertise can be split into two categories - Geographic Mapping and Operations Mapping. The Infographic below highlights our capabilities.
Our 'Mapping for Operations'-themed workflow demonstrations can be accessed from the firm's Website / YouTube Channel and an overview can be obtained from this flyer. Happy to address queries and respond to documented requirements. Custom Demonstration, Training & Trials are facilitated only on a paid-basis. Looking forward to being of service.
Regards,