- info@lidarsolutions.com.au
- Address: Unit B42, 18 - 20 Edinburgh St, Oakleigh South VIC 3167, Australia
What is Drone Inspection?
Drone inspection refers to the use of unmanned aerial vehicles, or drones, to investigate and evaluate diverse objects, structures, or areas. In recent years, this technology has acquired popularity in a variety of industries due to its efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and ability to access inaccessible or hazardous areas.
Applications of Drone Inspections?
There are numerous applications for drone inspections, including:
- Drones are used to inspect bridges, roads, railways, and other vital infrastructure. Engineers and surveyors can assess the condition of these structures for maintenance and safety purposes by capturing high-resolution images and videos with these devices.
- The exteriors of structures, including their roofs and facades, are inspected using drones. They can detect issues such as fractures, leaks, and structural damage, which facilitates maintenance and repair planning.
- Power cables, pipelines, and other utilities are frequently inspected utilising drones. They can detect flaws, corrosion, and damage without requiring manual inspections, thereby reducing the danger to workers.
- Drones can be outfitted with sensors to monitor environmental conditions including air quality, water quality, and wildlife populations. This is especially beneficial in inaccessible or remote areas.
- Agriculture: Drones are utilised in agriculture for crop monitoring, disease detection, and estimation. They offer producers valuable information for precision agriculture.
- Drones are used in the mining industry to assess the progress of excavation, monitor stockpiles, and survey the terrain for productivity and safety.
- Drones equipped with cameras and thermal imaging can aid in locating missing persons and assessing disaster-stricken areas during search and rescue operations.
- Drones are used for offshore platform inspections, pipeline monitoring, and environmental assessments in the oil and gas industry.
- Drones are utilised for tracking and monitoring wildlife populations, studying animal behaviour, and combating exploitation.
What Payload Do We Normally Use for Drone Inspection?
Depending on the specific requirements of the inspection mission, drones used for inspection can carry a variety of payload types. Here are some prevalent drone inspection payload types:
Digital cameras:
RGB Cameras: These standard colour cameras are suitable for visual inspections and documentation, as they capture colour images and videos.
Infrared (IR) Cameras: IR cameras detect heat signatures and are used to identify temperature variations in structures or equipment during thermal inspections.
Multispectral Cameras: Multispectral cameras capture images at multiple wavelengths, allowing for a comprehensive analysis of plant health in agriculture and environmental assessments.
Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR):
By measuring the time it takes for laser pulses to return from objects, LiDAR sensors produce high-resolution 3D maps of the environment. This is beneficial for terrain mapping, modelling of infrastructure, and precise measurements.
The selection of payload is determined by the inspection’s objectives, the environment in which it will be conducted, and the data necessary for analysis. As drone technology continues to advance, new and more specialised instruments for a wide variety of inspection applications are created.
