Microdrones Documentary Show Features UAV Boundary Surveying

By Mike Ball / 07 Jun 2021

Smart Sourcing for Unmanned Systems

Discover cutting-edge solutions from leading global suppliers
SUPPLIER SPOTLIGHT
Follow UST

Drone LiDAR boundary surveying

Microdrones has released a new set of episodes of its “Down to Earth” reality series, which focuses on the challenges and hazards faced by real UAV (unmanned aerial vehicle) surveying crews, as well as how they create real data deliverables. The new episodes follow civil engineering and surveying firm Carlson, Brigance & Doering, Inc. (CBD), as they use drone LiDAR to create updated, accurate boundary surveys.

Watch the new episodes on Microdrones’ website

The team at CBD needed to survey a challenging 550 acre tract of land in Southern Texas. The property boundary follows the Colorado River, which has changed significantly since the original survey from the late 1800s. While a traditional survey could take a field crew several weeks, the drone LiDAR equipment used by CBD will create an updated, accurate boundary survey in only a few days.

The first episode of the new series introduces , R.P.L.S. and Vice President at CBD, as he reviews the project, challenges, and end deliverables needed. Aaron sends UAV Pilot and GIS Specialist Laura Brown, into the hill country of Bastrop, Texas to collect the data using drone Lidar.

Episode 2 follows Laura as she handles over 14,000 linear feet of steep banks, muddy terrain, and rushing water along the Colorado River, using the drone-based LiDAR system to safely collect the data.

The final episode of the series takes place in the CBD office, where Laura uses mdInfinity, a complete software solution for drone LiDAR, to see if the data can be processed and visualized to create a point cloud of the property and determine an accurate boundary.

Aaron Thomason commented: “Collecting the lidar data will allow us to generate these high banks and low banks and any of the other terrain features we’re having to deal with in order to create a boundary on this project. There’s also some drastic elevation changes in the topography along the river. So, it makes much more sense to use a drone that’s 50 meters in the air to collect the data, rather than introduce some hazardous terrain to climb.”

Laura Brown said: “Wind and weather are the main challenges, especially this time of year. I also need to be aware of any wildlife in the area or any livestock. I’m on undeveloped property, quite a lot and that’s one of the main advantages of the Microdrones system- the drone can get to areas I might not be able to access.”

Posted by Mike Ball Mike Ball is our resident technical editor here at Unmanned Systems Technology. Combining his passion for teaching, advanced engineering and all things unmanned, Mike keeps a watchful eye over everything related to the unmanned technical sector. With over 10 years’ experience in the unmanned field and a degree in engineering, Mike’s been heading up our technical team here for the last 8 years. Connect & Contact

Latest Articles

ARK FPV Flight Controller Now Supports Betaflight

The ARK FPV Flight Controller, a leading flight control solution for FPV drones, now officially supports Betaflight firmware

Feb 06, 2025
Aurora’s Energy Lab Pushing Limits of Battery & Fuel Cell Tech

Explore how Aurora Flight Science's advanced energy lab is enhancing battery efficiency, extending flight endurance, and revolutionizing fuel cell technology

Feb 06, 2025
Volatus Aerospace Partners to Introduce Heavy-Lift Hybrid-Electric Drone

Volatus Aerospace partners to introduce Dufour Aerospace's Aero2 heavy-lift, hybrid-electric VTOL drone, enhancing UAV capabilities for cargo transport, surveillance, and critical aerial operations in remote regions

Feb 06, 2025
New AI-Driven Counter-Drone Technology Enhances Threat Detection

Sentrycs’ introduces HORIZON, an advanced AI-powered solution for detecting DIY drones in real-time, offering impressive detection, tracking, and mitigation capabilities against emerging drone threats

Feb 06, 2025
The Importance of Hardware Redundancy in UAS Autopilots

Embention outlines how hardware redundancy in autopilot systems enhances the reliability and resilience of control systems in UAS, eliminating single points of failure and ensuring uninterrupted missions

Feb 06, 2025
New Indoor Inspection Drone Released for Cost-Effective Surveys

Terra Drone is introducing the Terra Xross 1, an indoor inspection drone featuring LiDAR, visual odometry, and a tiltable 4K camera for improved safety and efficiency

Feb 06, 2025

Featured Content

Compact Remote ID Receiver Released for Enhanced Drone Safety

Dronetag has introduced RIDER, a pocket-sized, drone-agnostic Remote ID receiver designed to improve airspace situational awareness and support commercial and public safety applications

Jan 30, 2025
New GCS Software Released for C100 Quadcopter

Performance Drone Works introduces PDW CORE, a comprehensive software bundle enhancing the C100 quadcopter's capabilities with a new UI, flight simulator, mission planner, ATAK integration, and fleet management tools

Jan 29, 2025
Advanced Signal Mapping Tool Released for Effective UAV Flight Planning

Elsight has launched HeatSight, a signal strength mapping tool that provides UAV operators with reliable cellular coverage data, improving flight planning efficiency and safety for BVLOS missions

Jan 28, 2025
Doodle Labs Unveils Mobile App for Managing Mesh Networks

Doodle Labs is introducing the Mesh Rider® Mobile App, providing intuitive tools for managing wireless mesh networks across devices such as ground control stations (GCS) and UAVs

Jan 23, 2025
Advanced FOG-Based Inertial Sensing Solutions for Drones & Robotics

Aegiverse's products feature a multi-layered architecture that combines multiple elements into a compact module, providing significant, size, weight and cost reductions

Jan 21, 2025
“Surveillance as a Service” UAV Solution Launched

Volatus Aerospace’s “Surveillance as a Service" solution will use drone technology to provide secure, multi-modal surveillance for faster response times and actionable intelligence

Jan 16, 2025