GEOMATICS
Drone aerial mapping presents new geospatial possibilities Accurate data collection and precision mapping will always be among the core skills required for sur veyors. However, the rapid rise in drone technology is reshaping the geomatics profession in new and exciting ways. Rather than being pure data providers, sur veyors are transitioning to become intelligence gatherers and exper t information analysts. By Chris Kirchhoff*
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ver the last 10 years, the ability to create accurate 3D representations of the earth’s surface using unmanned aerial vehicles has gone from being a sought-after, but occasionally used, speciality to a standard tool integrated into nearly all work processes. Photogrammetry and lidar data collection and processing capabilities, combined with big data analytics and machine learning, have so improved in efficacy and cost-efficiencies that the concept of a 3D digital twin is the expected norm. The global unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) market is forecast to grow from the current US$17 billion (R284 billion) to
40
IMIESA September 2020
$40.6 billion (R677 billion) by 2028. There is not a single industr y that does not believe that the integration of UAVs and their use in geospatial data collection will play an increasingly important role in optimising work practices. We can now debate more realistically about the viability of human-free functionality, automation and advanced artificial intelligence (AI). We can envisage a not-too-distant future where drones are in the air constantly, scanning construction sites, inspecting the work and using the data collected to predict and solve problems before they arise. In turn, earthmoving and allied plant operate remotely. But, of course, it’s not actually humanfree – it’s just our roles that are changing from doing to managing. As I continually chide my children when they fall behind with their schoolwork: “Do you want to work for a robot, or do you want robots working for you?” This question has the same bearing for the geospatial and land surveying community. We must grow from being the collectors of spatial information to the interpreters, the analysers and the providers of actionable location intelligence. Within this context, the drone is an invaluable tool that takes us on this new journey.
Time for change We don’t have a spreadsheet department, we don’t have typing pools anymore… so, why do we have a UAV mapping department? Why do we describe ourselves as mapmakers when we should be calling ourselves
location-based intelligence analysts, given the massive advances in software and hardware? To loosely quote Adam Carnow, if we describe ourselves purely as drone pilots and map-makers, then the response will be, “Thanks. When I need a map, I’ll get back to you.”
Reality capture To further emphasise why this change of mindset from tool operator to data analyst is so important, it’s important to consider the significance of reality capture and location intelligence. (Location intelligence being defined as the capacity to convert the spatial component of business data into business understandings and visions.) Jürgen Mayer, president: Reality Capture Division of Hexagon Geosystems, suggests, “Rapid changes in technology and computing power are affecting almost every aspect of our lives – from democratisation and information access to communication and how we visualise the world around us. As technology becomes smaller, more affordable, and more automated, 3D reality capture is becoming more accessible to a wide range of applications and everyday users – not just specialists.” He suggests that the reasons for this include the fact that: - 3D reality capture solutions form the bridge to transform the real world into mirrored digital realities that can be used for all kinds of applications. - 3D reality capture enables you to replicate the physical world and turn it into a virtual
