Companies in the AEC (Architecture, Engineering, Construction) industry are using drones to quickly and accurately collect topographic data.
The architecture, engineering and construction sector has historically been slow to adapt to technology. In fact, according to a report by the McKinsey Global Institute, the construction sector is one of the least digitalized. This is underlined by another report, this one from JBKnowledge, which reveals that almost 60% of construction companies do not invest in new technologies.
Much of the AEC industry is using technologies and processes that no longer adequately serve their needs, either for projects or for associations. However, one area where the construction industry is expanding its use of emerging technology is the use of drones. Estimates by PricewaterhouseCoopers place sources of drone work for infrastructure at a market value of $45.2 billion. Today, an increasing number of disciplines within construction projects – such as designers, surveying companies, environmental consultants, builders and inspectors – use drones in the field to take aerial photography (drone photogrammetry). , volumetric analysis and topographic mapping, among many other things.
The ability of drones to collect real-time data on the jobsite has dramatically increased workflow and efficiency in design and construction. Drones are used most frequently in construction to carry out studies on construction sites, as is the case of our company, Acero Estudio, supervising the progress of the GECAMA wind farm in Cuenca, with the help of this technology. . Drones capture data that surveyors need but typically cannot see, as they have an unobstructed, high-altitude view of the construction site.
This also helps make the construction site safer, as drones can inspect difficult or dangerous terrain, keeping human surveyors out of harm’s way and helping construction workers avoid dangerous areas. For all these reasons, drones are replacing traditional methods of terrain surveillance and greatly reducing the time and manual work required.
It is an irony that the AEC sector is one of the slowest to adopt new technologies and yet one of those that could benefit the most from them. However, this sector has more readily adopted the use of drones, which can save large design and construction projects a lot of time and money.
Learn more about Acero Estudio
Take into account that Acero Estudio provides various services dedicated to reducing construction risks such as:
- Topographic survey services
- Drone photogrammetry
- LIDAR service
- BIM Consulting
- 3D Laser Scanner
Contact us and request a quote for our services, we are here to assist you.
