Using Drones For Inspection

Are you looking for a drone to perform inspections? Read on to learn more about how our comprehensive drone-powered solutions can meet your requirements.

Drone inspection is when an AI system is used with a commercial drone equipped with high-definition digital cameras and video hardware to help inspectors from different industries collect the visual data needed for their inspection. With the use of a drone, inspectors can gather visual data on the state of the property without putting themselves in harm’s way.

Drones carry advanced payloads such as thermal imaging cameras, infrared sensors, 3D mapping equipment, HD video recording capabilities, and more, which help in providing detailed images of a structure’s exterior. 

Drone facade inspections also have extra features, like automated tools for analyzing data that make it easier to understand the results quickly even if you don’t know much about engineering or architecture.

In this post, we will discuss the top five drones for inspections as well as the benefits of employing drones for inspections.

Types Of Drones For Inspections

We’ve rounded up what we consider to be the best drones & sensors on the market right now. So, let’s take a look at the top inspection drones for 2023.

DJI Matrice 300 RTK

DJI’s latest commercial drone platform, the Matrice 300 RTK, takes cues from cutting-edge aviation electronics. Among its many features are a 55-minute flying period, cutting-edge AI, and a UAV status monitoring system.

It makes it easy to switch between the wide, zoom, and thermal camera views. It also lets you see a preview of the zoom FOV while looking at the wide or thermal camera view. Its streamlined airframe and propulsion system give it better fuel efficiency and stability in rough air.

With its industry-leading mix of smart features, high performance, and dependability, the M300 RTK raises the bar for what a commercial drone should be. When using the brand new OcuSync Enterprise, you can send a signal up to 15 kilometers away, and it will still arrive in full 1080p resolution over three separate channels. Better reliability in high-interference areas is achieved through real-time auto-switching between 2.4 GHz and 5.8 GHz4, and data transmission is protected by AES-256 encryption.

DJI Zenmuse H20T Camera

The Zenmuse H20 Series is DJI’s first family of hybrid sensor payloads. When it comes to transforming your drone missions and gathering quick, accurate, and trustworthy data, the H20 Series has you covered. 

The IP44 rating and guaranteed mission efficiency of the multi-sensor cameras can help in  applications like drone building inspections, firefighting, law enforcement, search and rescue, powerline inspections, and oil and gas industry inspections. The camera on this drone can zoom up to 200 times, giving you an unprecedented level of detail.

ELIOS 3 

The Elios 3 is equipped with cutting-edge stabilization and navigational capabilities, making it capable of performing at its very best for indoor inspections. It has a distance sensor, a thermal camera with a 180° field of view, and a 4k camera with a fixed payload. 

The Elios 3 provides 16k lumens of light with adaptable lighting adjustments for in-depth inspections, and its image quality is simply outstanding. Its illumination system is the best in the business, making it as easy as using a flashlight to inspect for pitting, cracks, or buildups.

There are two ports in its modular payload compartment; one is used by the LiDaR system, and the other is for additional sensors. This design enables for flight for a variety of potential future uses.

It can fly for up to 12 minutes, its lighting is outside the cage to cut down on reflection, and its motors are covered by ducts that cut down on noise by as much as 20 decibels. Its  battery can be quickly and easily inserted and removed thanks to the device’s insert and lock mechanism. 

Mavic 3 Enterprise Advanced

The DJI Mavic 3 Enterprise Series is leading the way into a new era of operations with its optimal blend of portability and efficiency. Its distinct set of capabilities enables precise mapping and surveying without the need for physical landmarks.

The mechanical shutter on its wide-angle 4/3 CMOS 20MP sensor freezes action and allows for quick 0.7-second interval shooting. Its wide-angle camera boasts big 3.3 m pixels, which, when combined with the smart low-light mode, greatly enhance the device’s capabilities in low-light settings.

It has wide-angle lenses on all sides, allowing it to see far enough in all directions to avoid obstacles without ever losing visibility. Depending on the nature of the task, you may need to modify the proximity alert settings or the minimum distance to stop.

This drone can survey up to 2 square kilometers in a single trip, thanks to its 45-minute flight lengths that allow you to cover more ground in each mission.

You can safely navigate around obstacles with the help of APAS 5.0.

The Mavic 3 Enterprise series provides cutting-edge safety measures to safeguard all data captured in flight, including images, videos, and logs. Local data mode prevents the DJI Pilot 2 flight control app from exchanging information with the cloud. 

Parrot ANAFI Ai

When designing the ANAFI Ai’s sensor, it’s clear that Parrot prioritized its customers. Many inspectors can verify that many drone manufacturers fail to properly account for the need to keep an eye on the sky directly above the drone itself. As a result of its gimbal design, the ANAFI Ai’s sensor can capture information from a complete 180 degrees of horizon, letting the drone see in any direction. 

Property owners can take advantage of drone real estate inspection thanks to the flexibility it affords them in terms of surveying the property and capturing authentic images and videos from any vantage point they choose.

Because OpenStreetMap is built into the ANAFI Ai’s FreeFlight 7 operating system, the drone can recognize buildings and other structures nearby. With the help of AI, photogrammetry-specific flight plans can be carried out automatically, which increases efficiency and cuts down on turnaround time. A quick click is all it takes for experts to develop optimized missions based on the land registration of the selected building.

Benefits Of Using Drones For Inspections

Recent improvements to drone technology have made inspections safer, cheaper, and much faster. The advantages of UAV technology are numerous, and the following arguments further support the use of drones in place of other options.

Drones provide a bird’s-eye view of objects which can be difficult to see from the ground

Drones can help inspect objects that are difficult to see from ground level, such as roofs, due to their unique perspective. Drones reduce manual work and provide better-quality images and video of the roof area, eliminating the possibility of injury or accident. They also enable users to identify potential problems that may not be visible from the ground, such as wear and tear or a bad shape that could pose a hazard.

Drones can fly to hard-to-reach places

Drones can help with inspection by providing an overview of hard-to-access areas such as gutters, chimneys, and other areas that are difficult to reach with the naked eye. Drones also cut down on manual labor because users can quickly take pictures and videos without having to climb ladders or go into dangerous places. 

Drones are safer than other inspection methods

Drones are safer than other inspection methods because they eliminate the need to physically enter dangerous areas. By using drones, you can reduce the risk of accidents and injury as there is no need to send someone up on a roof or in any other potentially dangerous area. Also, drones can take high-resolution videos and pictures that show the true condition of any property. This lets you make better decisions without putting yourself in danger.

Drones can be used to identify structural damage, moisture problems, and other defects

By giving an aerial view, drones can be used to find structural damage, moisture problems, and other problems. This allows inspectors to get a better idea of the state of a property by examining walls and roofs from different heights.

Drones can be used to create thermal images and infrared scans

Drones can be used to create thermal images and infrared scans, which provide more detailed information about structures. Thermal cameras mounted on drones can be sent up after sunset to take pictures in a pre-programmed grid.

It is also safer to use an infrared camera drone than it is to walk around on a roof in the dark with a hand-held thermal camera. With this technology, professionals can find things that can’t be seen with the naked eye, like water damage, places where insulation is failing, and other problems.

Conclusion

Drones are designed with specific features and qualities in mind, all with the purpose of establishing more reliable visual inspection procedures. As a result, drones can proudly claim to be the most spectacular technical solution to the challenges of visual inspection.

If you’re looking to upgrade your digital intelligence for your inspection needs and you think we can help, feel free to get in touch with us.

Frequently Asked Questions

The main drones include DJI M300 equipped with H20T camera, Elios 3, etc, Mavic 3, enterprise advanced and Parrot ANAFI Ai.

To fly a drone, you must first obtain a license. You can apply for a “no objection certificate”. You will also be required to take and pass a Pilot Permit test and they are only good for a year.

A drone weighing less than 250 grams is still not allowed to be flown without permission. The sole law that an unregistered drone that weighs less than 250 grams is free from is the registration requirement. All other drone-related laws and regulations must be followed at all times.

There is no regulation barring using drones over private property. However, some localities have implemented local or state laws prohibiting the use of drones over private property. Drone operators should familiarize themselves with applicable laws and regulations before operating their aircraft over private property.

Most commercial drones are not designed to fly in the rain, dust, and fog. Thus knowing whether or not there will be a few sprinkles or a downpour will determine whether or not the work can be completed.

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