MAY 30, 2018
Drones are often celebrated for their ability to capture a new vantage point on the world, revealing the beauty of our planet from high above. But they are only the latest development in a long history of aerial photography. For hundreds of years, airborne cameras have made awe-inspiring images of our planet, revealed the devastating scale of natural disasters, and tipped the scales in combat. And in some surprising ways, the history of aerial photography dovetails with the last century of human history more broadly.
It wasn’t long after commercial photography was invented in the mid-19th century before “adventurous amateurs” launched cameras into the sky using balloons, kites and even rockets, according to Paula Amad’s 2012 overview of the history of aerial photography, published in the journal History of Photography. Gaspar Félix Tournachon, more commonly known as “Nadar,” is credited with taking the first successful aerial photograph in 1858 from a hot air balloon tethered 262 feet over Petit-Bicêtre (now Petit-Clamart), just outside Paris; his original photos have been lost. James Wallace Black’s 1860 aerial photograph taken from tethered hot air balloon Queen of the Air 2,000 feet above Boston is the oldest surviving aerial photograph.
George Lawrence later perfected a method of taking panoramas from above by strapping large-format cameras with curved film plates to kites. His most famous such photograph captured the damage caused by the devastating 1906 San Francisco earthquake and fire; he used 17 kites to suspend a camera 2,000 feet in the air to record the image. “Exposures were made by electric current carried through the insulated core of the steel cable kiteline; the moment the shutter snapped, a small parachute was released,” explained Beaumont Newhall, the Museum of Modern Art’s first photography curator, in Airborne Camera: The World from the Air and Outer Space. “At this signal the picture was taken, the kites were pulled down and the camera reloaded.” Syndicated in newspapers nationwide, Lawrence’s images were “at the least, a very early example of an aerial news shot — and perhaps the first,” says William L. Fox, director of The Nevada Museum of Art’s Center for Art + Environment and co-author of Photography and Flight.
Around the same time, aerial photography pioneers elsewhere in the world were experimenting with other methods. In 1903, German engineer Alfred Maul demonstrated a gunpowder rocket that, after reaching 2,600 feet in just eight seconds, jettisoned a parachute-equipped camera that made photos during its descent. That same year, German apothecary Julius Neubronner, curious about his prescription-delivering pigeons’ whereabouts, strapped cameras to his birds to track their routes. (Neubronner also used his birds to take photos of the 1909 Dresden International Photographic Exhibition, turning them into postcards and foreshadowing modern drone marketing stunts by over a century.)
It was just a few years after the Wright Brothers’ first flight at Kitty Hawk in 1903 that piloted, powered aircraft were first used for aerial imagery. cinematographer L.P. Bonvillain took the first known such photo in 1908, photographing from an airplane over Le Mans, France that was piloted by none other than Wilbur Wright himself.
World War I consumed the world shortly thereafter, and military commanders soon saw the potential advantage offered by up-to-date aerial imagery of the battlefield. Cameras were equipped on all manner of aircraft, and the wartime practice of aerial reconnaissance was born. Later advancements in both aviation and photography meant flight crews could go farther and come back with more useful images, which were often used to reveal enemy movements or plan future attacks.
It was during World War II that wartime aerial images and video became commonplace in newspapers, magazines and movie theater newsreels on the homefront. Famed LIFE photographer Margaret Bourke-White became “the first woman ever to fly with a U.S. combat crew over enemy soil” when she covered the U.S. attack on Tunis, as the magazine declared in its Mar. 1, 1943, issue. It was also during this conflict the U.S. began to experiment with rudimentary drone aircraft, like the TDR-1, though that was an attack aircraft rather than an imaging platform.
The end of World War II and the beginning of the Cold War brought even further advancements to aerial photography, particularly thanks to the Space Race. The first known photo from space, depicting a glimpse of Earth, was taken on Oct. 24, 1946, by a captured Nazi rocket launched from New Mexico. The United States and the Soviet Union’s efforts to outpace one another’s aerospace achievements led directly to the development of satellite imagery, the ultimate in unmanned aerial photography. The power of such technology to spy on adversaries or help warn of incoming nuclear attack was not lost on the leaders of the era. “If we got nothing else from the space program but the photographic satellite, it is worth ten times over the money we’ve spent,” once said President Lyndon B. Johnson. Today, there are more than 1,700 satellites orbiting Earth used for surveillance, weather forecasting and more, according to the Union of Concerned Scientists.
The first modern-style drones began to appear in the 1980s, as Israeli engineers developed models equipped with video cameras to monitor persons of interest for hours at a time. The U.S. soon adopted similar technology — a remote-controlled Pioneer drone famously filmed Iraqi soldiers surrendering to it during the first Gulf War. The Predator drone, invented by Israeli aerospace engineer Abraham “Abe” Karem, rose in popularity during the Afghanistan and Iraq wars for its ability to loiter over areas for an extended period of time, making it useful for monitoring the daily routine of potential targets. (A similar, larger variant called the “Reaper” also became widely used during these conflicts.) The U.S. military has also used smaller, hand-launched drones like the RQ-Raven to give soldiers an overhead look at potential dangers ahead without jeopardizing their safety. (The use of armed drones is among the most controversial modern military subjects — proponents say they are effective military tools that put fewer pilots at risk, while detractors argue they dehumanize killing, contribute to civilian casualties, and have been used without proper oversight in places like Yemen, Somalia and more.)
Any given technology, by rule, tends to get cheaper and more accessible over time. The same has been true of drone equipment, and by the early 2000s, a do-it-yourself drone-builder culture started to emerge out of the longstanding remote-controlled aircraft community. Online forums like DIY Drones helped hobbyists share tips and tricks with one another. New hardware and software like stabilizers, autopilot and collision detection systems have since given rise to store-bought drones from companies like Parrot and DJI with high-resolution cameras, making aerial photography more accessible than it’s ever been before.
That is precisely what makes today’s everyday drones so remarkable. Until just a few years ago, the pursuit of aerial photography was mostly limited to the military, dedicated hobbyists, and people with access to full-size aircraft. Today’s store-bought drones are comparatively cheap, take high-quality images and video, and are easy to learn to fly. That combination has led to an explosion in aerial photography, ranging from commercial uses, like real estate brokers getting eye-catching photos of houses they’re trying to sell, to artistic expression, like taking beautiful images of forests and cities to post on Instagram — no kites or pigeons required. While the technology has changed dramatically over time, the human desire to see the world from above has been a constant.
Drones. You’ve heard about them and seen them everywhere. Whether flying around a room or capturing unique aerial footage, drones offer vast possibilities and applications — even in the world of construction.
In the past few years, drones have become one of the most compelling construction trends. The industry has experienced a 239% growth in drone use year over year, higher than any other commercial sector. Their aerial vantage point and data collecting abilities make them a viable tool, offering benefits that range from on-site safety to remote monitoring.
In particular, the benefits of drone technology have revolutionized the entire project lifecycle. Drone photos, videos, and imagery are manipulated to scope out projects, track building progress, and provide real-time updates.
As the industry grows and construction projects become more complex, drones in construction will continue to skyrocket. Read on to learn more about how these futuristic devices are transforming the industry.
How Are Drones Used in Construction?
With their real-time data recording and unique aerial advantage, drones can improve efficiency, cut costs, and streamline workflow. Here are some of the ways drones are used in construction.
1. Topographic Mapping and Land Surveys
Consulting topographic maps is essential when planning complex, large-scale construction projects. They can reveal costly blunders in designs ill-suited for a terrain. Although topographic maps are helpful, they are expensive and take a lot of time to produce. Because of this, maps are not always updated during the start of a job.
Due to their ability to map vast quantities of land, drones can exponentially cut down on the time to visualize a site’s topography. This would ensure not only that the project stays on schedule and according to budget, but also ensure accuracy before a project is initiated. Sending this information can help determine feasibility and assist with design.
Furthermore, the high-resolution images produced by drones can be manipulated into 3D models, allowing one to pinpoint challenges during pre-construction and spot mistakes in the scope, saving time and money in the long run.
2. Equipment Tracking and Automating
It’s a problem every project manager has faced — a slip in memory of where equipment is located at each job site. There are usually a ton of lengthy spreadsheets involved that can quickly turn into an Excel nightmare (unless you have rental management technology).
With a drone, that same manager can do a fly over and quickly assess if the equipment is where it needs to be. They can also quickly recognize if a piece of equipment is still on-site that should be terminated, preventing expensive accidental extension charges.
Another issue that frequently arises is when equipment malfunctions. The recording functionality of drones could be used to remotely access what issues are taking place and provide visual representations that aid in communicating the issues. The recorded data could easily be sent to repair technicians at equipment rental companies for quicker and more accurate diagnostics even before they make it to the work site.
In the future, drones will be able to direct and guide autonomous vehicles, which is sure to revolutionize the industry on a new scale.
3. Remote Monitoring and Progress Reports
Another valuable feature of drones in construction is the visibility it can give to clients. Drones can produce impressive aerial views and give clients a grasp of the project’s progression, especially when the clients are not able to be physically present on a site. This helps them feel assured that their spend is being utilized efficiently.
In addition to client communications, drones can improve internal collaboration in your team. During a flyover, a drone can send information to your software. Design teams, engineers, construction managers, workers, and owners can access the data at the same, follow the project, and catch any mistakes that may have occurred. Drones can also create a valuable trail of documents in case of situations that require them.
4. Security Surveillance
If you’ve ever had a piece of equipment stolen from a site, you’re aware of how devastating it can be. Having a boom lift or excavator stolen can leave you out tens or hundreds of thousands of dollars. According to Capterra, over $300 million worth of construction is stolen from job sites every year, with less than 25% of it recovered. Equipment security is thus a very important component of managing a job.
A drone operator can conduct a flyover and quickly see if a piece of equipment is in a secure enough location. The surveillance camera could also be utilized to see if there are unauthorized individuals on the site. This will prevent damage or theft long before it occurs.
5. Personnel Safety
Worker safety is one of the top priorities of many construction companies. In particular, falls account for 39% of worker fatalities. When taking manual measurements, workers often have to climb to unsteady heights and navigate around hazardous conditions. Drones can replace workers in these situations and mitigate the risk construction workers face on the field.
Construction managers can also use drone video cameras to monitor the job site for safety concerns, making sure workers are properly balanced and that no structures and equipment are loose or unstable that could injure workers.
6. Structure Inspection and Photography
Replacing heavy machinery and bulky scaffolding, drones can provide a crucial inspection. They can be flown around structures to check stability and fine details, and take high-resolution imagery for analysis. Thermal sensors can detect heat leaks, cold spots, and any electrical issues. This level of quality assurance helps with client relationships in the long run.
Drones can also be used for planned maintenance of larger-scale structures like bridges, towers, roofs, and scaffolding. A task that would take an entire team of surveyors to do would only take a few hours with a drone operator.
Types of Construction Drones
While there are many types of drones, commercial drones are the standard used in construction. Some models are fixed-wing while other models have rotating blades. The main differences between them are their design and usage.
With their airplane-like design, fixed-wing drones can glide on a set path and reach higher altitudes, making them efficient for mapping topography and surveying greater distances. However, fixed drones are only able to fly forward. For closer aerial inspections and photography, rotary drones are the better option since they are easy to control and their rotor design allows them to hover and remain stable.
Key Features
Equipped with cameras, GPS units, thermal sensors, and infrared sensors, drones can capture key data on the building site. The information they collect can be sent to a computer via drone software, allowing users to analyze, interpret, and that data. These features allow construction projects to be more efficient, building projects to be better managed, and inspections to be more thorough.
by: Liam Stannard
October 9, 2018
3D mapping, another wonder of modern technology, is a new machine vision technology in the field of cartography. While we are already familiar with 2D maps and 3D vision, it is not hard to imagine how a 3D map looks like? Don’t let the curvature of Earth hinder your view and zoom in close to your location using 3D mapping.
3D mapping means profiling of objects in three dimensions to map the objects in real-world. There are several ways for a 3D profiling of an area or object, such as using a pair of a stereo camera. Another method is to measure the depth of an object or feature from focus. You can also create a 3D effect by detecting the light field by plenoptic methods or using active 3D imaging techniques.
Advantage of 3D mapping over 2D technology
One of the best benefits of 3D mapping is that it provides the latest technical methods for visualisation and gathering information. Knowledge visualisation and science mapping become easier when a 3D map is available for the object/area under study.
A 3D map provides a realistic view of a location that can be utilised by local authorities and planners. For the construction sector, a 3D map is as useful as a blueprint is. It is very easy to visualise floor plans on a 3D map and identify possible obstructions which may occur during construction.
When you have a 3D map in front of you, you enter a world of limitless imagination where you can experiment with many visual effects virtually before the final output. From determining the position of aircraft to making your event special with projection mapping, 3D mapping is working as a magical eye.
3D map preparation
3D mapping is also referred to as “Projection Mapping” or “Video Mapping.” Many people call 3D mapping as “Spatial Augmented Reality” also.
For projection mapping, a technique is used that can convert any surface into a dynamic visual display. Though many ways can create the same effect but combining the 2D or 3D data with some computer animations can highlight the required features and diminish not such relevant things.
3D mapping in GIS
A Z value (other than x and y), gives an enhanced depth when you are collecting data for GIS analysis. City-planning, building information modelling (BIM), Coastal modelling, Windfarm assessment are some areas where 3D GIS works as the screen of wonders.
3D mapping and cartography is an important tool in creating 3D scenes of a location that are useful for many studies like high rise development, building interior and exterior and effects of a disaster. If you want to create a 3D map using ArcGIS, you can do it in simple steps. ArcGIS provides a feature “ArcGIS scene viewer.” Another desktop application from ArcGIS is ArcGIS Pro a desktop application. Since it is a 64-bit application, it contains many extensive 3D inbuilt capabilities. It offers the facility of working with a 2D view as well as 3D scenes at the same time, side by side.
3D mapping provides minute information like the coordinates of a fire and helps in quick disaster response.
You can also use AutoCAD Map 3D software to create maps that are useful in the management and planning of resources. Integrating GIS data with CAD tools and some intelligent models, you can improve the quality and productivity of your project.
Very few of us know that we can create a 3D map in Microsoft Excel as well. Enter your data into a worksheet (with X and Y coordinates) and then select the data. The column headers should not be neglected in this step. Now click on insert followed by 3D Maps and open 3D Maps to explore more.
3D mapping has numerous applications in the various fields, from science to entertainment and advertising. When the Earth is not flat, then why to represent it in 2D? Add the ‘Z’ coordinate and see your projects turning into reality.