There are the obvious applications such as using the aircraft to grab aerial progress shots, but contractors like Rogers-O’Brien have figured out how to work drones deeply into their workflow. Meanwhile, at least one heavy equipment manufacturer is looking at using the real-time mapping data drones can gather as a way to allow dozers and other machines autonomously operate.
At this point the only real barrier to a company figuring out its own drone applications is receiving a Section 333 exemption from the Federal Aviation Administration for commercial use. And while those exemptions were trickling out at first, the FAA has more than quintupled the number of exemptions it has granted since July with more than 2,500 companies having been granted permission to fly as of this writing.
A sizable chunk of those exemptions went to construction and surveying companies. At last count, VentureBeat.com’s survey of the FAA’s exemption data had construction at 381 exemptions.
Below, we wrap up a busy year in drones and provide a look at the future holds.
By far, rotor-driven drones, those that operate like a helicopter with multiple propellers, are the most popular across all industries, and construction is no exception.
Though fixed-wing drones, those that operate more like an airplane or glider, make more sense for surveying due to their speed and superior battery life, rotor-based drones – such as quadcopters like the popular Phantom series from DJI or the new Falcon 8 from from Topcon – are more versatile since they can hover in place.
