Integrated Drone Survey Sensors: A New Solution for Efficient Data Capture

Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) are becoming increasingly popular methods of capturing data. Whether they’re recording video, laser scanning or using electromagnetic sensors, drones are growing in popularity as a way to capture data. Investing in drones that can gather an array of information types benefits a variety of businesses in many ways. These include increasing project efficiency, improving safety, and opening up new business opportunities. However, using drones for data capture is not entirely without pitfalls. Complex systems can mean it takes time to get the drone in the air. Then, once in the air, controlling the UAV manually to capture the right data requires a lot of skill and expertise. Plus, if the drone is not set up correctly, then it’s possible for captured data to be lost or inaccurate.

Now, new integrated systems are coming onto the market which can help businesses to overcome these challenges and use drones to gather the information they need. So, what are the benefits of integrated drone sensor systems and how can they benefit businesses?

Simple sensor set up

Commercial drones are a big investment for any business. To purchase a model that’s fit for business purpose, companies and organisations will need to spend thousands of pounds. So, if you’re now looking at buying an integrated sensor system, you could do with investing in a system that would enable your drone to carry a selection of different sensors i.e. a core hardware-software set-up where sensors are interchangeable.

Luckily, new integrated sensor systems can be retrofitted to many commercial drones and accommodate common controllers, so you don't need to worry about replacing your UAV. New systems also offer the added benefit of seamless integration with existing mission planning software. This means you can simply plug in the sensor you need, and the drone can be out on a data capture mission within just a few minutes. This simple set up means users can capture the data they need quickly and easily, without having to make any further investment.

Great sensor compatibility

As well as being quick to set up, these integrated sensor systems enable the easy use of a range of sensors, including:

• Echosounders – which use sonar to map the bed and sediment of rivers, lakes or reservoirs
• Magnetometers – help to find underground magnetic objects and deposits e.g. discovering UXO, buried settlements or identifying geological formations
• Metal Detectors - find metallic, magnetic, and non-magnetic objects buried underground e.g. for finding UXO or for archaeology
• Methane detectors – these use safe lasers which can detect abnormal levels of methane gas from a height of 25 metres. They’re used most often in landfill and utilities monitoring
• Ground-penetrating radars (GPR) – this can be used to detect small objects underground, such as utilities pipes, drainage pipes, or archaeological objects. It is also useful for bathymetry (especially where a water feature is iced over)
• Search and Rescue Sensors – these are used to detect and recover people or objects e.g. sensors that can scan the bottom of lakes, ponds, rivers and streams to provide clear visuals of objects hidden in murky waters

By having an integrated system, you can set up a range of sensors on your drone without changing your core equipment. One integration, developed by SPH Engineering (widely referred to as UgCS after there first product to market), includes sensor hardware and software that work seamlessly with their market-leading mission control system UgCS. In this case, the software adapts to the type of sensor that’s connected and presents users with the relevant interface on their laptop. From here, users can then set a range of controls including height above ground, flight speed, pass width, as well as pathing their data collection missions quickly and easily.

Easy data collection

If you’ve ever manually flown a drone on a simple photography mission, you know how much expertise and concentration it requires to get it right. With an integrated system equipped with UgCS users can path missions for the UAV to fly autonomously. The software also enables users to pinpoint the exact locations for data capture. This means a drone can fly these missions regularly without operators having to path new missions and new data collection points. Data can be collected easily in a range of terrains and environments. Whether operating over a muddy field, over farmed crops, or even over a mixture of water, earth, rock or ice, the True Terrain Feature (TTF) enables data to be accurately collected. This laser or radar-based system links directly to SkyHub and enables the drone to accurately follow a set height above ground enabling a consistent positioning of the sensor.

Geotagged data for easy analysis

An integrated package equipped with a SkyHub (with WiFi functionality), gives users the reassurance that all data will be accurately captured. Plus, each piece of data is geotagged to a specific location, meaning users can quickly and easily identify the capture point, whether it’s a magnetic anomaly or an area with abnormal methane levels. Also, data captured by SkyHub can be easily transferred easily to third-party software such as Prism 2 for analysis, allowing for ultimate flexibility in your business’ data processing.

Benefits for your business

The quick and easy installation to existing drones means the commercial user can get on with the job at hand and making revenue. Not only do the kits portray users as innovators deploying the latest technology, the savings for the user’s customers regarding time and cost, is significant. All UgCS kits are not only supported by a series of training programmes that are taught by our very own pilots who have flown the sensors in significant trials and actual missions, there is also a vast library of webinars and videos to guide users. The kits have already shown a fast return in investment in the following areas:

• Construction & civil engineering
• Oil & Gas
• Power Generation
• Archaeology
• Public Services

By attaching a range of sensors to a drone via the core hardware and software, integrated systems can assist teams in capturing a huge range of data and information quickly, without putting strain on time and resources. For example, missions can be pathed from integrated UgCS software for drones to fly autonomously and collect critical data. Geotagged data can then help to identify areas of interest, such as an object buried in a large field, quickly and easily. Plus, these missions can be pathed over a range of terrains, enabling the safe, easy capture of essential data in otherwise inaccessible environments. See below example:

Want to find out more about integrated sensor systems?

As a strategic solutions provider with access to the full UgCS industrial systems range, JBUAS can advise you on the best package to suit your business needs. With lots of product expertise, the team can talk you through the different sensor options available. JBPRM has lots of experience in advising clients from different industries and organisations, from the aerial image specialists looking to expand their service offer, to international construction businesses looking to survey brown field sites. Once you decide on the right integrated sensor system, the team will set up your purchased kit for free. The complimentary two-hour session will include free assembly and functional testing, so you can be ready to capture better data quickly and easily.

For further information on these kits, contact:

JBUAS (www.jbuas.co.uk). Email: [email protected]. Tel: 01636 614050