Cairo and its surrounding metropolitan area has seen a significant amount of change over the last two decades.  Where once there was little to break the seemingly endless sands that encompassed the city of Cairo, a series of new developments have been built to support the region’s shifting needs and population.  Places like the New Administrative Capital–which has been under construction since 2015–are being rapidly built and expanded.  To serve the needs of this shifting population, there are several large-scale transportation and infrastructure projects underway throughout Cairo and its surrounding areas with perhaps none bigger than the Cairo Monorail.  After reporting on the Cairo Monorail’s progress over the last several years, Civil+Structural Engineer Media recently had the opportunity to visit the project and experience firsthand the progress being made on this transformational transportation project.

The Cairo Monorail project began in 2020, and is a two-line monorail rapid transit system owned by the Egyptian National Authority of Tunnels (NAT).  To help see this vital project to fruition, NAT sought out Hill International to provide Project Management services on the Cairo Monorail.   The first line is the New Administrative Capital Monorail Transportation System or the East of Nile Line (EoN), which will connect the New Administrative Capital with East Cairo via a 54-km line housing 22 stations and a depot.  The second line will be the 6th of October City Monorail Transportation System or the West of Nile Line (WoN).  This line will be 42-km in length when completed and will house another 13 stations as well as a depot.  When completed, the Cairo Monorail will be the longest driverless monorail system in the world, and will represent the first public transportation links from the New Administrative Capital and the 6th of October City to the Cairo metropolitan area.  In addition, when completed, the Cairo Monorail will significantly reduce CO2 emissions in the region.

In an area famous for sand blowing with the wind, a monorail system represents an innovative solution that eliminates the problem of sand building up along the line.  The monorail system is elevated, with the track resting upon an elevated concrete guideway.  Three years after the project first began, this elevated concrete guideway is beginning to cast an impressive shadow upon the desert landscape as it is rapidly moving towards completion.  According to Waleed Abdel Fattah, President of Hill International’s MENA region, engineering works for the Cairo Monorail are nearing 90 percent completion.  What remains of the engineering work for the project includes the completion of formal submissions for System Assurance documentation, which Abdel Fattah says will be followed by as-built drawings as the project moves through the final construction phases.

East of the Nile (EoN), the project draws a distinctive line through the landscape.  Driving east from Cairo to the New Administrative Capital, the line’s elevated guideway is a source of constant activity, with workers and materials moving endlessly along its length.  On the EoN section, about three quarters of the overall civil engineering work has been completed with about ten percent of the concrete guideway left to finish.  Along the concrete guideway, the 22 stations along the EoN line are taking shape, with each one a beehive of metal framework and construction activity.  Abdel Fattah notes that the station work along this section is at about 45 percent.  Mechanical installation has been completed on half of the switches EoN, and the long spans along the line are “various stages of construction” according to Abdel Fattah.  Systems installations on EoN are currently about 40 percent complete, and the section’s emergency walkways and power rails are in an “advanced state of installation.” 

At the eastern end of the EoN line sits its depot, which, when completed, will serve as the center of control and maintenance for the line.  The EoN depot is quickly taking shape and is about 70 percent complete according to Abdel Fattah.  At the heart of this depot sits the control center for this section of the monorail system, and its completion will represent a significant step in bringing this crucial project to fruition.   Most crucially perhaps in all this progress, all 40 train sets for the EoN line have been delivered, and procurement is complete for all materials for signaling, communications, AFC, platform screen doors, and electromechanical (MEP) systems–putting the project in a tremendous position to push forward through the final steps in completing the EoN line.

West of the Nile (WoN), construction is approximately 52 percent complete–of which line segments are 60 percent complete and stations are about halfway complete.  Progress on the WoN section–particularly in 4 line segments and 5 stations–has been slightly delayed by problems with land acquisition, but Abdel Fattah says that these issues have largely been resolved and work has started in Line Segments 8-12 and on Stations 9-12.  The WoN section will also feature a depot, which is nearing 50 percent completion.  Furthermore, Abdel Fattah says that MEP and Power Supply systems are currently under installation with all the switches in the depot and two switches on the mainline installed.  For the WoN section, six trains have already been delivered in the depot, and nine more are on the way.  For the WoN line, the major challenge to overcome has been with land acquisition and the diversion of utilities, which delayed the beginning of construction on the main structural elements of the line segments and stations.  Abdel Fattah predicts that the next six months will involve a “painstaking phase of diversion of utilities in the Zone 4 area, which is also a highly populated area.”  To overcome these challenges, Hill International and NAT are making all efforts to expedite the diversion of utilities by constant engagement with the government bodies and companies that own these utilities.

As the Cairo Monorail system continues to take shape, static tests have already started in the EoN depot.  With substantial progress in the project’s construction, power cables are finally being installed to form the power ring main for the EoN line.  Abdel Fattah believes over the next six months that we will see the completion of works in all line segments EoN and in the 7 line segments WoN.  Additionally, Abdel Fattah is hopeful that power-on of the systems may happen in the next few weeks, depending on review of local electricity authorities.  After this step is completed, this will begin the formal start of the testing and commissioning phase for the EoN line.  For the WoN line, there is strong evidence to suggest that its depot will be completed within the next six months as well as the start of major installation activities up to Station 7.  Furthermore, for the WoN line, Abdel Fattah expects significant progress in Zone 4’s line segments and stations.

With significant milestones on the immediate horizon, there is reason to believe that this 97-km long system will be in operation in the near future.  Keep following Civil+Structural Engineer Magazine for more information on this transformative project in the near future.

“In the dynamic landscape of the AEC industry, the rise of nontraditional roles like drone operators is pivotal,” said Chad Clinehens, president and CEO of Zweig Group. “As we confront the widening talent gap and the persistent challenge of recruiting and retaining skilled professionals, embracing emerging professions ensures our ability to innovate and meet the evolving demands of modern engineering.”

Sponsored by Garver and Crafton Tull, both AEC firms based in Northwest Arkansas, the drone “golfing” event showcased two teams of students from Rogers High School competing to drop golf balls as close to the pin as possible on the green. Team Garver and Team Crafton Tull, named in honor of the event sponsors, each operated a drone three times over a par-four hole. The victor was determined by the shortest drop time and closest proximity to the pin, with total times and distance measured.

“It’s truly inspiring to witness the passion and dedication my students bring to learning drone operations,” said Jeff Anderson of Rogers High School. “I have no doubt that their strong foundation in drone technology will serve as a catalyst for their success in the dynamic field of aviation and beyond.”

The purpose of the event, which brought together students, higher education, and industry professionals, was to connect the University of Arkansas College of Engineering with high school students to highlight the importance of nontraditional and emerging professions within the AEC space, such as drone operator.

“We are thrilled to be part of this event, and hope to continue partnering with high schools to expose students to these emerging professions,” said Richard Ham, an associate director at the University of Arkansas. “By fostering early exposure and educational programs, we are paving the way for a new generation of engineers equipped with diverse skill sets that will drive innovation and excellence in our field.”

Drones and skilled operators are only becoming more important to modern engineering. For example, drones enable more efficient site surveys, construction monitoring, and remote inspections of inaccessible areas. Operators gather crucial data to support design and decision-making processes. From assessing infrastructure integrity to optimizing project efficiency, drone operators play an increasingly vital role in enhancing engineering outcomes.

About Zweig Group

Zweig Group, three times on the Inc. 500/5000 list, is the industry leader and premiere authority in AEC firm management and marketing, the go-to source for data and research, and the leading provider of customized learning and training. Zweig Group exists to help AEC firms succeed in a complicated and challenging marketplace through services that include: Mergers & Acquisitions, Strategic Planning, Valuation, Executive Search, Board of Director Services, Ownership Transition, Marketing & Branding, and Business Development Training. The firm has offices in Dallas and Fayetteville, Arkansas.

The Surduc Dam is a vital piece of the European infrastructure, supplying Timișoara – the 2023 European Cultural Capital – with both drinking and industrial water. Nestled at an elevation of 195 meters above sea level, the dam plays a pivotal role in energizing a micro-hydropower plant boasting a capacity of 2MW.

The survey of the dam was conducted in spring 2023 by 2 Graphein team members. The project took 2 days: one day for data collection with DJI M300 equipmed with TOPODRONE LiDAR 200+ and P61 camera & one day for data processing with TOPODRONE Post-Processing software in the office.

‘UAV dam surveys improve inspection safety and efficiency. It is a fast and precise way of mapping to support dam managers with assessing the dam face for abnormalities or degradation. The accuracy of models obtained by drone surveys advance vulnerability analysis’, Iliya Shikov, TOPODRONE CTO, explains.

‘It is one of the latest projects Graphein has contributed to in Europe. In order to obtain the best results for our client – as fast as possible without damaging the quality of our outcome – we’ve relied on TOPODRONE technical solutions, in particular the new LiDAR 200+. It has helped us acquire relevant information, very rich detail wise, and later deliver dense point clouds and orthophotos’, Andrei Șueran, Graphein’s managing partner, adds.

Data collected with TOPODRONE LiDAR 200+ over the Surduc Dam (c) TOPODRONE

Earlier this year TOPODRONE released TOPODRONE Slam 100 for mobile mapping and a new lightweight 360° LiDAR model range: LiDAR 100 & 100+ with a 100 m working flight altitude and LiDAR 200+ with a 200 m working flight altitude. All of them can be used as a single payload for different carriers and installed on a drone, car and backpack. The products will be showcased at Commercial UAV expo in Las Vegas (USA) in September and at Intergeo in Berlin in October.

Drone Show Software Release 4.2 and Firmware v. 4.2 includes significant advancements in synchronization capabilities, with the DSS Controller now perfectly aligned with GPS time. This precise synchronization allows drone show designers to synchronize color animation and music integrated into the Drone Show Software, enabling the launch of even more vibrant shows integrated into large-scale events that involve music, pyrotechnics, and more. Users will benefit from the Weather service tool in DSS Controller which includes a weather widget, providing real-time weather data for informed decision-making during the drone show preparation stage.

Enhancements have been made to the Smart Return to Home (RTH) functionality, optimizing the return flight path of drones and enhancing safety. In case of emergencies, the Smart RTH update significantly reduces the risk of losing a substantial portion of the fleet. With Smart RTH, in the event of an unforeseen situation, the fleet can be safely returned to the starting point with minimal losses.

SPH Engineering has also developed an integration with Finale 3D, one of the most popular software for pyrotechnics. Now, Pathviewer allows the import of Drone Show Software-based shows into Finale 3D format, enabling drone show designers to simulate how a drone show will look alongside fireworks show.

In addition to these notable features, Drone Show Software Release 4.2 offers various improvements. The accuracy of music synchronization has undergone a significant boost, achieving precise timings within a remarkable 10-millisecond range. The software now obtains precise GPS time directly from the RTK base station, improving accuracy. Furthermore, the software’s color animation cycle has been optimized, ensuring the correct display of variable blinking effects.

Drones now have the ability to display LED animations on the ground, empowering drone show designers with even more creative control. With path file optimization, the setup process is now up to 5 times faster than before. Now, existing PATH files can be imported back to Blender for use in more complex shows. The Blender plugin now has the ability to export UAV’s heading along with positions and colors.

With this release, SPH Engineering empowers drone show professionals to orchestrate mesmerizing drone shows with over 1500 drones, pushing the boundaries of scale and spectacle. The DSS Client has undergone significant improvements, including fixes and quality-of-life enhancements to streamline the operational process.

“We are thrilled to announce the release of Drone Show Software 4.2, showcasing remarkable advancements for our valued clients and customers. With each release, our top priority and mission are to continuously improve safety standards. We deeply care about our clients, and our ultimate mission is to empower everyone to create both safe and awe-inspiring shows. Drone Show Software 4.2 introduces a range of exciting features, including enhanced synchronization, weather services, LED animation capabilities, and more. By providing our partners and customers with these cutting-edge tools and technologies, we enable them to explore new dimensions of creativity and achieve unparalleled precision. We eagerly anticipate witnessing the extraordinary performances and innovative achievements that our esteemed partners and customers will accomplish with this exceptional release.” – Alexander Levandovskiy, Head of Drone Show Technologies at SPH Engineering.

SPH Engineering also introduces several exciting features and enhancements in the latest release of Drone Show Creator. Among these updates is the addition of the Path Files Export Functionality, enabling users to export path files for easier sharing and collaboration on drone show projects. SPH Engineering also presents mouse capturing functionality in the Color Editor. This enhancement provides a more intuitive and precise color selection experience, empowering users to achieve their desired visual effects with ease. By capturing mouse movements, users can now have greater control over color customization, resulting in stunning and visually striking drone shows.

Drone Show Technologies updates represent SPH Engineering’s commitment to pushing the boundaries of the drone show industry, offering unparalleled control, creativity, and safety to professionals.

Check out the video to see these incredible updates in action!

Adam Kersnowski is a co-founder of Airworks, a Boston-based leading AI-powered geospatial intelligence solution.  Kersnowski’s background is in the construction industry, having owned and operated a construction company in the Boston area for 14 years.  During this time in the construction industry, Kersnowski’s company worked on both commercial and residential projects.  It was during this time that he was introduced to his remote sensing tool: a drone.  Kersnowski says that, after about a year of using the drone, he was “hooked.”  Having a drone as a tool completely changed Kersnowski’s perspective of a construction site, and, to mention, saved him from having to “crawl up on buildings and roofs to get that perspective.

Kersnowski’s first professional venture into drones was a start-up piloting service.  Around 2012-2013, drones were significantly harder to fly than they are a decade later, and their operation required something called a “Triple Three Exemption” from the FAA.  In this climate, Kersnowski knew he could leverage his flight experience to work with contractors and marketing companies as well as anyone else who needed to fly a drone at the time.  While this drone piloting service saw success, it was during this time that Kersnowski began to understand that the “bottleneck” for the adoption of drones wasn’t piloting, but rather it was managing data after flight.  As Kersnowski started thinking about post-flight data from drones, he met his business partner David Morczinek, who was then a business student at MIT.  Together, they founded AirWorks. 

Combining their backgrounds in construction, drones, and business, Kersnowski and Morczinek worked together to “build something that manages data for clients.”  Kersnowski says that, in those early years, there was quite a bit of necessary “convincing and validation” when it came to accessing the value of such a tool.  At the time, there was limited access to tools such as sensors, drones, ground-based detection, manned aircraft, or any of the other tools that we now use to create datasets.  Since the time of AirWorks founding, the use of drones in the AEC industry has increased exponentially, and, as Kersnowski predicted, the management of data from drones has become the central topic of discussion rather than their flight.  And, just as drones have grown in usage, so too have our other drone- and ground- based sensing technologies.  To meet this growing market, AirWorks has also expanded beyond processing drone data to doing so for many different sources.  According to Kersnowski, AirWorks is a machine learning company from a technology standpoint, training and developing algorithms to extract features from imagery and from point clouds.

Kersnowski now serves as Chief Evangelist for AirWorks, which is a one-of-a-kind title for someone in an industry that likes to generally keep its traditions.  However, as the title would suggest, Kersnowski is giving testament to the power of drones in reshaping the way work is completed in the AEC industry.  Kersnowski has been there from the beginning–of both AirWorks and of drone technology in the AEC industry.  Chief Evangelist has not always been his role, but, as Kersnowski puts it, his role has had to change as the needs of the company have grown.  Now, in this unique position, Kersnowski does a lot of traveling to speak at conferences and trade events, giving a face to AirWorks and its mission.  

Earlier this year, AirWorks launched their Data Marketplace, which is the first of its kind to integrate data availability with automated linework creation within a single platform.  This tool gives AEC professionals real-time access to a network of data providers, which has the potential to completely revolutionize workflows and add efficiency to projects across a number of different sectors.  To officially mark the launch of their Data Marketplace, AirWorks announced a partnership with Nearmap.  Nearmap, a leading location intelligence and aerial imagery company, is the first company to join a growing ecosystem of geospatial data providers, which further opens the door to data, processing, and analytics to companies who might not have been able to access it before.  

Kersnowski says that AirWorks is looking to continue growing the Data Marketplace by working with more data partners.  As the Data Marketplace continues to grow, more and more of the space within the United States will be available for users to access.  Partnerships like the one with Nearmap go a long way in providing data in urban areas, covering roughly 85 percent of the United States population.  Kersnowski believes that, as more data is collected within the Marketplace, more and more rural areas will be included.  Furthermore, in addition to further coverage, new partners can introduce new imagery and different data, which further supplements the areas that have already been covered.  Kersnowski describes this as “multispectral data sources” which includes adding things like LiDAR to the Marketplace’s data.

As the AirWorks Data Marketplace continues to grow to include more data, Kersnowski and his team are firm in their belief that this represents a paradigm shift in the way the AEC industry accesses and utilizes data.  Ultimately, Kersnowski says they are focused on creating a product that will be most beneficial to their clients.  By guiding future development through feedback from clients, Kersnowski believes that the Data Marketplace will only grow in value as it adapts to a changing industry landscape.  

The death rate for US construction workers has flatlined over the last decade.  Despite new developments to safety protocols, inaccurate or unavailable data has made it harder for workers to follow these protocols.  This lack of available data has led to increased investments in construction technology, which has resulted in massively improved jobsite safety.  Adam Cisler believes that this flatline is indicative of significant positive progress when it comes to worksite safety in the construction industry.  Cisler, a Senior Solutions Engineer at Avvir with 18 years of experience in the construction industry, points out that the scale and complexity of projects has increased exponentially over the last few years, which has been further compounded by an increase in the pace at which projects are completed.  To accommodate for these changes in the construction industry, there has been an influx of workers, which involves a constant process of training new people to do new tasks.  In light of a changing industry, Cisler believes that a stable rate of safety is indicative of a renewed focus on the technologies that support safer practices.

Drones are one of the technologies supporting this move towards safer worksites.  Cisler believes that drones are becoming essential to conceptualizing these new projects, and that the technology demonstrably improves logistics and planning.  In turn, better logistics and planning practices lead to less day-to-day congestion on job sites which “reduces safety errors and the possibility of safety issues.”  From the perspective of a project manager, this bird’s eye view is an invaluable tool for coordination in real time, allowing them to send the right people to the right places.  Furthermore, as drone technology becomes more ubiquitous, their use for inspections will not only increase the safety of workers on the jobsite but also reduce the overall timeline for projects.  

In recent years, drones have been increasingly used to monitor not only the progress of construction projects, but also the health of structures and buildings.  Cisler points out that, over the last five or six years, there have been several significant advances in AI and Computer Vision as they apply to drones, which has enabled companies to use drones to do things like monitor cracks in concrete and develop highly detailed 3D models.  For Cisler, these advancements are significant not only in the efficiency they bring to construction projects, but also in that they often save workers from having to access “risky” areas to collect project data.  Drones allow projects to both locate potential problems faster and prevent accidents from workers entering dangerous areas, which has the downstream effect of preventing bigger issues that could lead to structural failures.

Cisler believes that drones will only continue to improve worksite safety and efficiency as their capacity to work autonomously is improved.  Recently, drone docks have started to appear on job sites throughout the United States.  Based on user input, the drones housed in these docks will take flight several times throughout the day to monitor progress and changes in the jobsite, which gives a clearer view of potentially dangerous site conditions earlier.  Cisler also points out that these capacities are being further improved by developments in AI.  New products are being developed that use AI to interpret the data from these frequent flights and provide greater insight into the images.  For Cisler, this ultimately means that issues are found faster, which leads to fewer injuries.  However, while the use of drones to monitor job sites has increased significantly over the last decade, it is by no means the only autonomous or unpiloted system that is improving worker safety.

Cisler points out that robot dogs used to autonomously monitor are an increasingly frequent site on jobsites.  Furthermore, robots are being utilized to lay projects out by transferring points to the ground, and others are being used for purposes such as drilling and monitoring oxygen in confined spaces.  Cisler believes that the number of robots on the job site will only continue to increase as we continue to focus more on developing technologies that improve worksite safety.  In addition, Cisler believes that these developments will address the recruitment and retention of workers into the construction industry.  New technologies are being developed to test for worker fatigue and stress.  The data from this testing will allow project managers to switch out workers when needed and prevent burnout and improve retention.

Cisler is adamant that worker safety will only continue to improve as technologies are developed to support the autonomous monitoring of job sites and worker safety.  These technologies are also capable of improving the efficiency of construction processes, which leads to less delays and less unexpected costs.  In envisioning the construction industry a decade from now, Cisler paints the picture of a collaborative environment between workers, robots, and autonomous systems, and believes that this progress will ultimately lead to a healthier and safer construction industry.

This year’s judging panel was tasked with pairing down the strongest field of competitors since EDVY was launched in 2017.  With over 30 videos submitted for consideration, the judging panel was asked to evaluate each video based on: 1)the video’s capacity to contextualize the project, 2) subject and purpose, 3) demonstrating an innovative use of drones, 4) demonstrating the flight capacity of drones, and 5) demonstrating the visual capacity of drones/UAVs.  Using these criteria, the judging panel examined each of the videos entered in the competition to determine what stood out as the best of the best.  After the initial round of judging, the final scores were close enough to merit an additional round of voting.

What emerged from this intense period of judging and evaluation were ten videos that would closely vie for the top spot in this year’s competition.  To determine what video deserves the top spot as the winner of the 2023 EDVY Competition, the audience of Civil+Structural Engineer Magazine participated in a 14-day voting period.  As has become a yearly occasion with the EDVY Competition, voting took off immediately after the videos were posted, and, over the first two days of the competition, more than 2,000 votes were cast for the finalists.  After the close of that second day, four finalists had set a good pace above the rest of the field.  One of these finalists was a submission from HSR Constructors who focused on the construction of the Brightline Phase 2 from Orlando to West Palm Beach.  Following the construction of a high speed passenger rail expansion, HSR’s submission uses drone flight to contextualize movement throughout the project, and provides key information in location specific overlays.

Another submission that emerged as a contender after day two was from the Nebraska Department of Transportation covering their UAS program launch and the Lincoln Beltway South Project.  NDOT’s submission to the 2023 EDVY competition is emblematic of the level of production that has become the standard for the competition in recent years.  Using both narration and impressive drone-produced visualizations, NDOT’s submission is an effective tool for understanding both the project being covered and how drone technology has impacted its design and development.  A similar effect was deployed to similar success with Moore Engineering’s submission covering flood infrastructure planning in the town of Lisbon, North Dakota.  Utilizing a voiceover from Lisbon’s Mayor Tim Meyer, this submission details the city’s response to intense flooding in 2009, 2010, and 2011, which was completed by working with Moore Engineering.  

As the competition moved beyond the second day of voting, the four videos vying for the top spot began to slowly fade to three.  For the next week of voting, three videos would trade and exchange places, but, as the voting period drew to a close, it soon became clear that a submission from Moore Engineering would claim the top spot.  However, as the only competitor with two videos to make the final round, the question still remained as to which of Moore’s submissions would win.  In the end, Moore Engineering’s “Maple & Upper Maple River Dams” emerged as the clear winner of the 2023 Engineering Drone Video of the Year competition, garnering over 1,000 more votes than the second place submission.  The 2023 EDVY winner gives viewers a unique perspective on two projects that have massive footprints in terms of size and impact.  The winning video uses the perspective afforded by a drone juxtaposed with textual information to give viewers a unique and important perspective of two, large-scale engineering projects.

The person responsible for both of Moore Engineering’s entries to this year’s finalists is Cody Rogness, Videographer and Media Specialist for Moore Holding Company.  Working closely with Moore Engineering as well as their other related companies, Rogness draws on his varied background–which includes TV news, TV shows, commercials, and documentaries–to produce content like the Maple and Upper Maple River Dams video that provides an important function both internally and externally.  According to Rogness, for projects like these, drones are an essential tool for communicating their scale, and that, with such a scale, drones are a great tool for saving time compared to traditional video and photography.  While Rogness is primarily involved with using drones as a tool for communicating externally, he also notes that these same qualities can be applied to design and construction with maps and other drone-generated models.  Kurt Lysne, Market Leader for Moore Engineering, says that they have historically utilized drones for preliminary design data collection, LIDAR, aerial photogrammetry, and surveying pre-existing site conditions, as well as documenting and monitoring construction.

Lysne further adds that, when coupled with an Emmy Award-winning videographer like Cody Rogness, drones become a powerful tool for marketing, giving them a powerful tool to communicate their goals and successes.  And certainly, the winning video of the 2023 competition is a demonstration of Rogness’ ability to tell a story.  To gather the footage that comprised the winning video, Rogness used the natural landscape to tell part of the story, shooting the footage during Spring flooding.  Harnessing the image of Spring floods coming over the spillways of the Maple and Upper Maple River Dams, Rogness adds a crucial element of context to their regional importance.  The winning video is unique in that it combines textual information, perspective, and the natural landscape to tell the story of two immense structures.  

Similar to winners from recent years, Cody Rogness’ winning submission on behalf of Moore Engineering can be used as a timestamp of the relationship drones and UAVs have with the AEC industry.  As Lysne puts it, the winning video, “[completes Moore’s] suite of services that drones are used for.”  By combining their important uses on the technical side of projects with the ability to tell a story that captures importance and scale, drones are an invaluable tool for communicating the importance of the work done by the AEC industry, and this year’s winner is emblematic of this ever-developing function.

Judging Panel:

Margot Moulton

Maxim Baklykov

Bryan Baker

Luke Carothers

Andrea Perotti

ED
EDVY 2023 Top Ten:

1. Moore Engineering–”Maple and Upper Maple River Dams”
2. Moore Engineering–”Lisbon, ND: Spring Flooding”
3. HSR Constructors–”Brightline Phase 2: Orlando to West Palm Beach High Speed Passenger Rail Expansion”
4. Nebraska Department of Transportation–”UAS Program Launch/Lincoln South Beltway Project”
5. Jose Espinal Vazquez and Associates–”VA Heroes Hospital”
6. CRAFT | Engineering Studio–”Nantucket Residence”
7. Caulfield and Wheeler–”CWI 2023 Engineering Drone Video Contest: Avenir”
8. KCI Technologies–”Houston Public Works Northeast Transmission Line”
9. GeoStabilization International
10. CES Consulting, LLC–”Quality, Delivered”

Although the world’s first remote-piloted car was debuted by General Motors at the 1939 World’s Fair,  the first autonomous (self-driving) car prototypes were not introduced until the 1980s after nearly 30 years of testing.  The idea of a self-driving car perhaps began with General Motors’ demonstration in 1939, but it would take another 14 years before serious testing began on a truly automated system.  In 1953, RCA Labs became the first to successfully demonstrate the viability of a self-driving car when they did so using a miniature car guided and controlled by wires on a laboratory floor.  With the system’s viability established, RCA Laboratories worked with the State of Nebraska to construct a full-size test system just outside of Lincoln.

This proposed test system consisted of a series of circuits buried along stretches of pavement, paired with a series of lights on the edges of the roads.  By sending impulses from the circuits to the car, the test was able to successfully control the direction, speed, and velocity of the car.  Despite the demonstrated success of this automated system, further development was hampered due to the cost of installing the necessary support infrastructure.  While RCA Labs’ autonomous system proved a novel approach when applied to vehicle piloting and infrastructure, it is framed on technological advancements that had been applied to railroads for decades at that point.  A century earlier, railroads played a massive role in expanding the United States to its current size.  

With a network of railroads as the fuel source, the United States expanded rapidly during the Industrial Revolution and continued to do so through the end of the 19th century.  The presence of railroads grew in tandem with the United States’ growing population and territory, and, by the 1870s, railroads were beginning to experience challenges stemming from this rapid expansion.  Running on fixed rails, trains are particularly susceptible to collisions and delays, and the process of railroad signaling was adopted at its creation to control the movement of traffic.  However, traditional hand signaling was proving antiquated by the 1870s and new systems were developed to allow this network of railroads to continue supporting this period of American growth.  

One of the first automated systems to be developed–automatic block systems for railroad signaling–was introduced in 1872.  With signals placed on trains, a train’s movement would short-circuit the electric current supply and de-energize the relay.  Using this system, railroads were able to greatly reduce collisions and delays by only allowing one train per block at a time.  When automatic systems for railroad signaling were introduced, they solved a massive problem that was hampering the reliability to railroad networks.  In the subsequent decades, railroads continued to expand, snaking out to every corner of the United States.  This twisted, dense network of passenger and freight rail, intercity lines, companies, and subsidiaries relied heavily upon simple advancements in automation technology as automated signaling systems continued to improve.  By the 1920s, advancements in automation allowed for various experiments into creating the world’s first driverless train.  And, again, despite similar viability testing, it would be decades before the first fully automated trains would be introduced to the public.  More so, these early tests of automated train systems provided the initial framework for our first attempts at self-driving cars.

The parallelled histories of car and railroad automation provide important insights into the effect that the current push towards AI and automation will have on the development of technology in the future.  Americans demonstrated a preference for the freedom and luxuries that automobile travel affords as our vast network of railroad infrastructure was slowly replaced with roads and highways.  This recently renewed push towards automated driving systems has historical similarities to the environment that brought about the first automated train testing, suggesting that technologies currently being applied to self-driving cars may have reverbating effects in technological advancements yet unknown.

Andrei Șueran founded Graphein nine years ago on a leap of faith with his business partner Eurgen Ursu.  While Șueran says that simply starting a business in itself is an adventure, starting Graphein was even more of a fraught road.  This is because pitching Graphein meant pitching new technologies and solutions to a market that he says favors “the good old ways.”  Despite the challenges, Șueran and Ursu made a bet when they founded the company, but, so far, they’ve played their cards right.  Based in Romania, Graphein is a service integrator for the construction industry–supporting engineering, surveying, 3D scanning and modeling, and building behavior monitoring–and an Autodesk partner.  Șueran says that he and Ursu take pride in that they’ve managed to gather people within Graphein that are able to both “deliver jaw-dropping results” and maintain an open culture filled with passionate individuals.  According to Șueran, this ability to recruit and retain top-level talent, that are also amazing individuals, has led to a pleasant working environment and a great reputation with clients. 

Șueran is, at his core, a geodetic engineer–”always and forever” in his words.  He never envisioned taking on the role of an entrepreneur.  However, Șueran believes that becoming an entrepreneur came into his life in a “natural manner”, having stemmed from a long lasting desire to improve and innovate his field of work.  His movement into entrepreneurship has allowed him to do just that, and, since founding Graphein, he has been able to get more involved with the process of product development.  This includes working more in the testing phase and contributing input to the process.  

Șueran believes that one of the most common needs across the construction industry is the ability to optimize and speed up processes without compromising the quality of work.  Șueran also believes that drones have and will continue to play a massive role in providing this service for the construction industry. For many companies in the construction industry, the deployment of drones has resulted in massing time-savings while also producing “top-notch” results.  An extended result of the effect drone deployment has had on the AEC industry is that companies are able to get involved in more projects.  Șueran extends this, believing that drones have also increased companies’ abilities to engage in projects with various degrees of difficulty.  These positive results mean that the construction industry has gained a high level of trust in the technology, but still other technologies that have the same potential to shape the industry are still in the process of earning this trust.  As the benefits of these technologies are demonstrated, Șueran believes that, like drones, people will begin relying on them more.  Șueran notes that there have been projects brought to fruition solely by using drone surveying.  In the example of drones, this wider adoption of the technology has led to a new market filled with “high quality products.”  

To highlight just how much drones and drone technology have shaped the construction industry, he points to an ambitious project that involves building a highway that connects the cities of Sibiu and Pitești in Romania. This massive project consists of 7 tunnels, 24 bridges, and 18 viaducts.  In the process of constructing this important piece of infrastructure, Graphein and the other project teams relied on TOPODRONE products like LiDAR ULTRA and AQUAMAPPER.  According to Șueran, the project has put his team to the test because of its location in an “unfriendly landform,” which consists of densely wooded areas and significant elevation changes.  Șueran says the project has put his team and equipment to the test, but, by relying on the best products, these difficulties are surmountable.  To overcome the challenges posed by terrain, Graphein’s team has been deploying TOPODRONE’s LiDAR ULTRA on board a DJI Matrice 300 drone to capture laser scanning from an altitude of 100-120 meters.  Using this technology, he says they were able to capture an area of densely-wooded terrain 32-km lengthwise by 400 meters wide with only 14 drone flights.

The highway construction project from Sibiu to Pitești also contains an added wrinkle that, according to Șueran, proved to be the biggest challenge.  Part of this difficult terrain scanning included mapping under the 6 river crossings on the project.  To achieve this, Șueran and his team relied on TOPODRONE’s AQUAMAPPER–a device for airborne bathymetric surveying– which was then only recently out of development.  He says that, despite the potential difficulties posed by this underwater mapping, AQUAMAPPER has vastly improved the performance of the bathymetric surveying for the project.  What is perhaps more remarkable is that, despite the terrain challenges stemming from water, trees, and topography, surveying for the project lasted less than 10 days.  Șueran points out that drones played a significant role in shaping the project, and the time they saved is a testament to how much drone technology has advanced in the construction industry.  By relying on tools like those developed by TOPODRONE, Șueran believes that more projects like the one in Romania will see immensely positive results.

Maris-Tech will also present a live demonstration of two of its customized AI-based solutions with cutting-edge, unique technology for HLS applications such as border and crowd surveillance, smart cities, and critical infrastructure security.

The Jupiter-AI is a low-latency streaming and YOLO-5-based AI (detection, classification, and tracking) solution for remote platforms, such as drones, unmanned aerial vehicles (“UAVs”), and robots using four cameras, including HDSI, analog and USB.

The Callisto platform, a next-generation 8K ultra-HD video and Hailo-8-based AI acceleration edge computing platform will demonstrate AOL’s AI application using several IP cameras, suitable for traffic control and safe city applications.

“We are excited to present and demonstrate our innovative products and their applications together with our partners, highlighting our successful cooperation with AOL and PEL and a testimony to Maris-Tech’s position in the global HLS market,” said Israel Bar, CEO Maris-Tech.

About Maris-Tech Ltd.

Maris-Tech is a B2B provider of video streaming and AI technology, founded by veterans of the Israel technology sector with extensive electrical engineering and imaging experience. Our products are designed to meet the growing demands of commercial and tactical applications, delivering high-performance, compact, low power and low latency solutions to companies worldwide, including leading electro-optical payload, RF datalink and unmanned platform manufacturers as well as defense, HLS, and communication companies. For more information, visit https://www.maris-tech.com.

Researchers at The University of Texas at El Paso have constructed a fully autonomous boat that can carry out bathymetric surveys — surveys of the depth and terrain of bodies of water like oceans, rivers and lakes. The team hopes the robotic boat can help simplify the survey process, which usually takes a crew of individuals to complete, as well as assist with reconnaissance missions.

The boat and its capabilities are described in the May issue of the journal Sensors. 

“There are lots of reasons scientists carry out bathymetric surveys,” said Laura Alvarez, Ph.D., lead author of the study. “If you want to work in water-related studies, you need to know the shape and landscape of bodies of water. For example, you might want to map a reservoir to learn about water supply for electrical demand, or a river to learn about river evolution or flow patterns.”

Alvarez, an assistant professor in UTEP’s Department of Earth, Environmental and Resource Sciences, specializes in unmanned systems for earth science. She started developing the boat several years ago but needed help tweaking and perfecting the system.

That’s when she recruited science and electrical engineering master’s student Fernando Sotelo ‘22.

“The first time we tested the boat was at the swimming pool at UTEP — just to make sure it could float,” laughed Fernando Sotelo, study co-author and now UTEP alumnus.

Over the course of a year, Sotelo refined the aluminum watercraft, a 3-foot-by-3-foot circular craft that rests on a thick black inner tube, testing it in various environments like New Mexico’s Grindstone and Elephant Butte lakes. 

His goals included extending the boat’s hours of operation and reliability; and making it fully autonomous and responsive to potential environmental issues like wind speed and temperature flux. Now, a failsafe can detect when batteries are low or wind gusts are too high and triggers a return-to-base function.

The rudderless watercraft operates with four thrusters, allowing it to travel up to 5 feet per second and easily rotate 360-degrees. A solar panel and lithium battery allow the boat to last up to four hours at sea — covering an area up to 472,400 square feet.

All the while a multibeam echosounder — a sonar system — emits sound waves from the bottom of the boat. Water depth can be calculated by the time it takes for the sound wave to water to hit the seafloor and return to the sonar system. The sound itself that returns to the device can help detect the type of material on the seafloor.

To show proof of concept, the team successfully created 2D and 3D maps of portions of Ascarate Lake in El Paso, Texas and Grindstone Lake in Ruidoso, New Mexico.

“My goal was to make the boat state-of-the-art and I think I did that. Of course, there’s always room to improve,” said Sotelo, who worked on the boat for his master’s thesis. “But the system works and for now, I hope it can make it easier for scientists like Dr. Alvarez to conduct their research.”

Alvarez will put the boat to use for the first time this summer to study the Rio Grande River’s flow and depth.

She adds that the instructions to replicate the boat are online in their latest Sensors publication.

“The reason we wrote the paper was so that anyone can reproduce it by themselves,” Alvarez said. “It serves as an effective guideline to get them started.”

               Dry dock accidents have occurred many times over the last two decades, attributable to inadequate maintenance and inspections. The intent of this standard is to minimize the risk to personnel and the ships being drydocked. In addition, emphasis on maintenance and inspection provides the insight for facility owners and operators to enable repairs before the catastrophic loss of their capital assets.

This standard is intended for use by dry dock owners, Dockmasters, dry dock maintenance engineers, engineers engaged in dry dock inspection and certification, ship owners, and port engineers.

To purchase online visit the ASCE Bookstore

The current process to gather data for new underwater construction or the inspection of existing assets such as bridges, docks, and levees consists of manual surveying from divers or survey sensors mounted to a boat. With the new, safer, and more efficient Bathydrone system, a drone drags a small vessel on the water’s surface, eliminating the need for manual surveying. The vessel is equipped with a COTS sonar unit mounted on its bottom. The sonar unit has down-scan, side-scan, and chirp capabilities and logs data onboard the console, which is located inside the hull. Data can then be retrieved post-mission from the console and plotted in various ways. 

“We are excited to be working on this groundbreaking technology with the team at the University of Florida,” said Balaji Sreenivasan, CEO and founder of Aurigo Software. “The Bathydrone system will vastly expand the possibilities for underwater endeavors while providing a cheaper, safer, and more eco-friendly alternative for our customers.” 

Not only is data collected more easily, but the technology can also be operated remotely and autonomously using AI navigation software to overcome obstacles in or under the water, creating a faster and cheaper solution. The system will also integrate with Aurigo’s Masterworks Cloud Platform to properly store and categorize project data and route any inspections or other results for approval or further action.

Additional Bathydrone differentiators include:

• Fully battery-operated and better for the environment—no fuel or loud noise
• Lightweight and easily transportable
• Does not require a dock or boat ramp to get in the water
• Able to be deployed in a wide variety of water systems, including shallow water and rivers with strong currents 
• Able to survey a large area on a single charge

“This project supports our department’s mission to conduct state-of-the-art research to advance science and technology,” said Peter Ijfu, University of Florida’s Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Excellence Term Professor and Associate Chair of Faculty Affairs. “This pioneering approach to underwater surveying and mapping has multiple real-world applications that are not currently commercially available.”

Aurigo will work closely with the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering’s staff and students to bring this leading-edge solution to the infrastructure market in the next 12 to 18 months.

Along the Texas Gulf Coast, the construction and expansion of ports is a continually-active process. As one of the busiest corridors in the world for shipping, ports along the Texas Gulf Coast are actively working to update infrastructure and facilities to support a massive flow of traffic. McCarthy Building Companies has worked with a number of ports along the Texas Gulf Coast to do just this. McCarthy has continually worked with Port Houston for 30 years, and is currently undertaking projects for Port Freeport as well as demolishing and constructing a strategically important dock for Port Beaumont.

Over their decades in working with ports along the Texas Gulf Coast, McCarthy has been in a constant state of innovation in construction, and has developed technologies that help make projects safer while saving time and money. Their most recent development in this regard is certainly lacking in size, but that hasn’t stopped it from making a big impact on projects in the short time it has been deployed. McCarthy has recently started using a five-foot-long by three-foot-wide unpiloted survey vessel (USV) to assist with their port projects. Using sonar technology, the USV collects data on the seafloor and finds obstructions within the work area. The USV is also equipped with a sound velocity probe that reports the density, salinity, temperature, and conductivity of the water—all of which impact how fast sound waves travel through water, making data it collects more accurate.

Sarah Johnson, senior field engineer for McCarthy’s Marine Business Unit, says that the deciding factor for obtaining the USV was their project at the Port of Beaumont. In 2012, a wharf at the port failed due to an issue with the corrosion of steel piles. As such, a large part of McCarthy’s work at the Port of Beaumont has been demolishing the failed piles and concrete structures then subsequently installing new piles that will resist corrosion. Much of this demolition work is underwater, which is complicated by incredibly murky water that affords at most six inches of visibility. With the complications of access and visibility impairing safety and slowing progress, McCarthy’s team turned to the USV.

Prior to deploying the USV at the Port of Beaumont, divers on the project faced significant challenges and dangers from lack of visibility. According to Adeel Malik, vice president of estimating for McCarthy’s Marine Business Unit, the decision to use the USV at the Port of Beaumont stemmed from a need to map out the collapsed structure that lies beneath the water, adding that the decision to do so has had a significant impact from a safety perspective. The USV utilizes sonar and GPS for depth and horizontal positioning. When deployed, the USV is piloted around the work area and sends back a color map that indicates noticeable obstructions as well as differences in elevation. Additionally, the vessel produces a side scan sonar, which represents the area in more detail. Once the survey is complete, the data is post- processed to produce a detailed map of the space beneath the water.

At the Port of Beaumont, the ability to map beneath the water has proven especially useful as the age of the structure means that there aren’t accurate drawings from the original early-1900s structure. Without the USV, this made locating sections of the collapsed wharf exceedingly difficult. However, the USV’s accuracy has allowed McCarthy’s team to locate obstructions within inches, according to Johnson. After obstructions are identified, a crane operator is given the location directly via GPS, and the obstruction is removed in just a few hours. Malik points out that the USV has cut a significant amount of time out of the project as it eliminates the need to wait for dive teams to carry out their operations. Malik further adds that the USV is crucial in that it gives McCarthy’s teams the ability to assess problems and develop solutions in a much quicker manner, and the ability to connect the vessel’s data with GPS positioning means that work is much more accurate.

This USV technology has also shown additional capabilities outside of locating underwater obstructions. At the nearby Port of Freeport, the vessel was used to record underwater slope depth for toe trenching. Its deployment at Freeport verified slopes were at the correct location and angle, which ensured that ship propellers wouldn’t make contact with the ground. Johnson believes that, while early in its usage, the USV has potential to impact several areas of water-based infrastructure. One example is the work around existing and new pump stations. Many of these projects require extensive survey work, and Malik believes that USV technology can provide an accurate and quick solution to the surveying required—whether it is identifying underwater obstructions or verifying previous survey data. When it comes to surveying around pump stations and levees, Malik further points out that the development of this technology and its potential coincides with a 2018 bill that allocates $5 billion for flood protection in the state of Texas. With more work around flood protection infrastructure, USV technology has significant potential to positively shape the future of water-based projects in the AEC industry.

McCarthy Building Companies has long been involved in shaping port infrastructure along the Texas Gulf Coast. Likewise, the work they are doing now is laying the groundwork for port infrastructure projects in the future. In particular, the deployment of technologies like the USV are instrumental in shaping the way projects will look for years to come. Deploying technologies like the USV that introduce a vast shift in worker safety, efficiency, and accuracy is demonstrative of a commitment toward shaping a better work environment in the AEC industry.

Grant Hosticka, the Head of Enterprise Solutions Engineering for DJI, will participate as a guest speaker at ElevateUAV. He has helped many commercial organizations successfully deploy drones. Grant was one of the first people to graduate with a degree in Unmanned Systems and also has his private pilot license. Prior to joining DJI, Grant built his experience and UAV acumen by running his own drone service company, conducting utility field inspections of critical infrastructure.

Tom Cerchiara from Pix4D will also be joining in to provide AEC professionals with an overview of how reality capture using both drones and mobile devices saves money, reduces delays, and increases safety. In this session, attendees will learn how to use PIX4Dmatic, PIX4Dsurvey, and PIX4Dcloud for drone-based mapping, and to deploy terrestrial workflows with PIX4Dcatch and the viDoc RTK Rover for ground control and ground-based reality capture. Pix4D will present end-to-end workflows for multiple industries including mapping and surveying, construction, stockpiles, infrastructure inspections, and underground utilities.

Tom is a Professional Land Surveyor with 23 years of experience working on construction, energy, and public works projects. He is a thought leader when it comes to advancing digital transformations with cost-efficient and easily deployable solutions, augmented reality, and computer vision.

For those in the public safety space, Drone Nerds will have a guest speaker from a local Fire Department, Mike Sember, who is a firefighter and paramedic. Mike will elaborate on the benefits of drones within the public safety space, particularly on how departments across the nation are using drones for disaster response and rescue operations.

Additionally, Dr. La’Quata Sumter will present a session on how early education on technology, drones, and STEM is transforming the future of students. As the growth and potential of the drone industry has increased over the last few years, it has created a need for drone education. This presentation will highlight the importance of drone education in driving growth in the industry. By teaching students how to design, build, and operate drones, we can create a workforce equipped with the skills necessary to meet the growing demand for drone-related services.

ElevateUAV will be held in Miami, FL, on July 26th-27th. As a premier industry event, the conference will connect drone manufacturers, developers, pilots, enthusiasts, and enterprises; early bird tickets are available now on elevateuavsummit.com

The ElevateUAV Summit will be held on July 26-27, 2023 at the FIU Biscayne Bay Kovens Conference Center in North Miami, FL. Organizations or experts that wish to participate in the Elevate UAV Summit can connect with the event organizers at support@elevateuavsummit.com.

The Spirit UAV is a high-performance, multi-role aircraft designed and manufactured in the United States for a wide range of applications, including intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR), search and rescue, border patrol, disaster relief and more. The industry-leading Spirit provides operators with an all-weather platform equipped with best-in-class integrated EO/thermal sensor payloads so personnel can reliably dispatch the surveillance asset they need whenever and wherever they need it.

The Spirit UAV is available in a range of configurations to meet specific mission requirements and is designed for easy transport and deployment, with a rugged, lightweight airframe that is backpack portable and can be quickly assembled and disassembled for storage and transport.

“Government operations require drones for a variety of reasons, including ISR, target acquisition, monitoring and inspection, rogue gas detection, etc.,” said Paul Fermo, VP of Business Development at Ascent AeroSystems. “Most drones are designed for single mission type, or worse, are restricted by a closed ecosystem, which limits their usefulness and subjects the government to obsolescence.  Not Spirit.  Spirit has a modular open architecture that allows government operators to customize the platform to meet any operational requirement, all from one common airframe.”

The Blue UAS-approved Spirit UAV is a trusted, versatile, secure platform for mission-critical operations. As the world’s most rugged and versatile coaxial drone, the Spirit is uniquely suited to serve the needs of mission-critical operators anytime, anywhere.

For more information on the Spirit please visit www.ascentaerosystems.com.

• Test flight (LiDAR 200+ & P61 camera) in Montreux, Switzerland © TOPODRONE
• TOPODRONE LiDAR 200+ has successfully passed field tests and has been implemented in a test mode by two European customers. BDS Topografie conducted a surveying project in Romania to study a dam and mountain river with a very difficult terrain structure.

Atyges and Gonzalo Malvarez from the Coastal Environments research group of the Universidad Pablo de Olavide de Sevilla experimented with the combination of bathymetry, LiDAR and photogrammetry approaches to survey a reservoir in Spain.

“LIDAR 200+ is a brand new R&D of the TOPODRONE team. The field tests confirm a new level of accuracy and precision with an improved high performance GNSS based inertial navigation system. The compact design with a payload weight of 800 grams increases flight time and efficiency while the maximum flight altitude of 200 meters helps to perform the survey in difficult to access mountain and forest areas. The hardware is compatible with TOPODRONE Post Processing software”, Maxim Baklykov, TOPODRONE CEO, explains.

Compared to current diesel piston engines, the XTS-210 design reduces size and weight by nearly 80%, while maintaining comparable power output. This announcement builds upon a $9 million development contract from the U.S. Army to develop a prototype “core engine” based on the XTS-210 design for military applications.

Representing the latest generation of LiquidPiston’s X-Engine platform architecture, the XTS-210 engine addresses the fuel efficiency, lubrication, and fuel type limitations of the traditional Wankel rotary engine, an influential engine design developed in the 1950s.

The X-Engine is inherently simple in design, with just two primary moving parts – a rotor and shaft. The 25-horsepower XTS-210 adds up to one bar of boost through supercharging and operates as a two-stroke, producing six combustion events per revolution of the rotor, to deliver smooth power from a lightweight package, roughly the size of a basketball.

The XTS-210 uniquely addresses four major market requirements:

• 5x the power-to-weight (specific power) and power-to-volume (power density), and up to 3x the torque-to-weight (specific torque) compared with diesel piston engines of similar power
• Ultra-portable and configurable for operation in both engine-only and hybrid-electric modes – capable of running up to 7,000 RPM, which matches well with small and lightweight electrical machines, enabling increased mobility for power generation and hybrid applications
• Liquid-cooled and capable of either Spark-Ignition (SI) or Compression-Ignition (CI) – designed for military-grade robustness from its inception
• Multi-fuel capability – initial testing focuses on JP-8/Jet-A fuels for defense and aerospace applications

The XTS-210 model will meet demanding commercial and military heavy-fuel applications, including mobile electric power generation, primary or hybrid-electric propulsive power for vertical take-off and landing aircraft (VTOL) and small unmanned aircraft systems (sUAS), as well as auxiliary power units for land, air, and marine vehicles.

“There are essentially no diesel engines in the 25-horsepower power class today that are suitable for aerospace and mobile military applications, where size and weight parameters are especially critical,” said Dr. Alec Shkolnik, co-founder and CEO of LiquidPiston. “The reduced weight, size, and heavy- or multi-fuel capability of the XTS-210 delivers significant end-system capability and utility benefits, especially for the military to reduce supply chain and logistical burdens in an era where ‘power on the move’ is increasingly important. Following nearly two decades of breakthrough thermodynamics research with various types of rotary diesel engines, we are excited to converge on this latest generation as our first X-Engine model that we plan to bring to market.”

LiquidPiston is targeting delivery of an XTS-210 prototype to the U.S. Army in 2024. The company has previously prototyped several variants of rotary X-Engines, demonstrating significant versatility in engine architecture, including naturally aspirated four-stroke versions ranging from five to 40 horsepower.

In addition to the recent $9 million award to contribute to the development of the XTS-210, LiquidPiston has also received a $1.7 million Army contract to power a hybrid-electric VTOL UAV demonstrator. This brings the company’s Department of Defense contracts total to over $30 million.

To view additional photos and other assets, please visit the LiquidPiston media kit at: https://www.liquidpiston.com/xts-210-engine

Luke Carothers, Editor, Civil+Structural Engineer Media

Luke Carothers is the Editor for Civil + Structural Engineer Magazine where he has been heavily involved in covering drones/UAVs and their applications in the AEC industry.  As a returning judge for the EDVY Competition, Luke has witnessed firsthand the growth of drone/UAV technology in the AEC industry.  He looks forward to seeing drones change the AEC industry, and sees EDVY as a way of expressing this movement.

Margot Moulton, Videographer and Editor, Zweig Group

Margot’s background in videography and editing began when she was the Art Director for two television stations. She ran around with the production crew as an extra hand at shoots. This gave her just enough experience in lighting, audio and video to jump in head-first when she was offered another position as the lead promotions producer within the same company. Along with the Creative Director, Margot worked in house and on location to film, edit and produce promotional videos of on-air talent, special event and sports content, and high level executive sponsorship commercials. After over 10 years of work in television, Margot joined Zweig Group, where she works to tell stories through video of the people and firms of the one industry that actually builds the world: the AEC.

Adam Kersnowski, Co-Founder and Chief Evangelist, Airworks

Adam brings over 15 years of expertise in drones and construction, having successfully co-founded AirWorks and managed two other companies. As Chief Evangelist, he drives client success, account expansion, business development, and partnerships. Adam is also pursuing a CP certification and is passionate about data collection and remote sensing.  Adam is an advocate for leveraging technology to address climate-related challenges. His commitment to this cause led him to participate in a convening for climate risk monitoring to detect landslide potential in Mocoa, Colombia, organized by MIT’s Environmental Solutions Initiative.  His passion for utilizing drones and data collection to address climate risks is a reflection of his dedication to creating a more sustainable future.

Maxim Baklykov, CEO, TOPODRONE

Maxim Baklykov is a surveyor with more than 20 years of experience in field and office work. In 2018 together with a team of like-minded experts he started the TOPODRONE project. TOPODRONE is a Swiss – based company that designs and produces high-precision surveying equipment for installation on UAVs, vehicles, and backpacks.

Bryan Baker, Drone Pilot for Leica Geosystems

Bryan Baker has been the Unmanned Aircraft Systems Sales Manager for Leica Geosystems Inc. since 2014.   Bryan has been in the Geospatial Industry for his entire career starting at Nikon Instruments as a software developer in the mid 1980’s and has held multiple technical and sales positions over the years.  Additionally, Bryan is an ASPRS Certified Mapping Scientist for UAS (CMS-UAS).  On the aviation side, Bryan is a Commercial Pilot, Certified Flight Instructor, Advanced Ground Instructor, and Remote (UAS) Pilot.   When not working and traveling for Leica Geosystems, Bryan enjoys traveling, giving flight lessons, flying his personal aircraft, and volunteering in the aviation community.  Bryan is a volunteer Drone Pro for FAASafety.gov, a volunteer pilot for Lighthawk, Pilots and Paws, Angel Flight, and a volunteer and flight crew member with the Commemorative Air Force.

Andrea Perotti, IT System and Administrator, Drone Pilot, Casale

Andrea Perotti lives in Gordola, Switzerland, and is an IT Systems Administrator in Casale SA (Lugano Switzerland).  Perotti is passionate about drones and model aircraft.  Perotti conceived and managed the project “Il mio primo drone” to bring young people closer and aware of the conscious use of drones and their potential, a project that achieved a World Record by making all the drones fly simultaneously, piloted by the guys who built them. In their free time, Perotti participates in downhill and Super-G ski races.

Enter for a chance to see yourself featured on the cover of Civil + Structural Engineer Magazine as well as Topodrone LiDAR Post Processing Perpetual License! More info here.

Fayetteville, AR, January 26th, 2023– Civil + Structural Engineer Media announces open call for submissions for the 2023 Engineering Drone Video of the Year (EDVY) Competition through April 28th, 2023.  C+S Media is partnering with Topodrone to provide a portion of the judging panel as well as a prize for the top video. 

Videos must be original, composed of video footage gathered with a drone or other UAV/S, and should feature an engineering or construction project.  All submissions should be between 1:00-5:00 minutes in length.  There is no fee to enter.

A panel of prestigious judges will select ten finalists to be voted on by visitors to csengineermag.com.  Details on the members of the judging panel are to be announced at a later date.

The top video, chosen by our viewers, will receive a LiDAR Post Processing Perpetual License from Topodrone as a special prize.  The winning video will also appear on the cover of Civil+Structural Engineer Magazine for the July 2023 issue.  The ten finalists will also be featured in the July 2023 issue. 

Videos must be submitted by April 28th, 2023.

To submit a video: https://live-cs-engineer-magazine.pantheonsite.io/engineering-drone-video-contest-of-the-year-2023/

Last Year’s Winner: https://online.flippingbook.com/view/997847191/

Interested in sponsoring the contest? Sponsorships packages are available, and can be tailored to fit any firm.  Reach out to Anna Finley (afinley@zweiggroup.com).

More information can be found in our Sponsor Packet and Media Kit.

Wingtra manufactures professional mapping drones, develops the software for fully autonomous flights and the WingtraPilot app operates the combined solution for reliable, fast and accurate collection and processing of aerial survey data. The drones are making it easier for surveying professionals in industries like construction and infrastructure, mining, environmental monitoring, agriculture and urban planning and land management to digitize their surrounding world.

Their signature drone, the WingtraOne VTOL commercial drone has emerged as a formidable aerial data solution on the market. The VTOL design means the WingtraOne can take-off and land almost anywhere, even in confined spaces or on rough terrain enabling widespread data collection It is being used by hundreds of businesses and organizations including CEMEX, Rio Tinto, Army Corps of Engineers and Kenya Red Cross spread across 96 countries. The drones conduct over 100,000 flights annually, having mapped 18 million acres of land and sea (the equivalent of 13.6M football fields).

The team successfully released their second generation drone in 2021, the WingtraOne Gen II drone which offers superior survey grade 2D and 3D maps to help users of the data make better decisions. It integrates the highest quality sensors in top-end RGB cameras to create 3D models, helping make digital twins at scale such that a single flight covering over 100 hectares can be digitized at 0.5 in/px. Compared to terrestrial surveying this is up to 30 times faster and 90% cheaper. Wingtra is delivering on the promise of the drone industry to offer effective and reliable means to achieve their needs.

Wingtra is the brainchild of four young entrepreneurs Maximilian Boosfeld (CEO), Basil Weibel (VP Growth), Elias Kleimann (CFO) and Sebastian Verling (lead engineer) which was created in the Autonomous Systems Lab of ETH Zurich, one of the world’s leading tech universities. Its notable graduate luminaries include Albert Einstein and Swiss entrepreneur and philanthropist Hansjörg Wyss, who financed the Wyss Zurich Translational Center and is also an investor in Wingtra.

Wingtra started life as a thesis paper for the university and became a startup at the Wyss Zurich accelerator to an internationally expanding scale-up business and, today, the world’s largest producer of commercial VTOL drones. Wingtra employs close to 200 people, has offices in Zurich (Headquarters in Switzerland), Fort Lauderdale (US) and Zagreb (Croatia).

Maximilian Boosfeld, CEO and co-founder of Wingtra commented: “Our vision at Wingtra is to create a world where drones help people make the management of large parts of our planet more sustainable and efficient. We reduced the cost of adopting drone assets and increased the data quality. This will help industry to plan better and, fundamentally, improve safety for humans and the environment.

We have built the best tool for accurate data collection and have created solutions together with our partners for a variety of use cases our customers face: As an example, our solution is used in all stages of the construction life cycle: from the concept phase (feasibility & right-of-way studies), over the design phase (bidding process, detailed design & site planning), the construction phase (progress tracking to built survey all the way to maintenance, repair and operations. And the same holds true for use cases in agriculture, land management and environmental protection. We will continue to innovate and solve the problems of the future with easy to use solutions.”

Wingtra has reinforced its senior leadership with 5 new industry veteran appointments as it scales the company:

• Marcos Bayuelo joins as VP Product from Hexagon AB where he directed product and innovation at the mining division of Hexagon AB, driving business growth from $12m to $60m in a single product portfolio
• Aleksandar Kostadinov joins as VP Sales and Customer Success and brings two decades of experience building international sales alliances and introducing Leica and Hexagon products to untapped markets.
• Alberto Toledo joins as GM in the US from Citrix where revenue lept from $4m to $25m in just three years.
• Corinna de Maddalena joins as VP People having led HR functions in leading tech companies over 15 years.
• Marco Schicker joins as COO from Hilti AG where he handled the transformation of global teams and brings insights and strengths as a 3x founder.

“Every one of these leaders has the right experience to take Wingtra forward” said Maximilian Boosfeld. “They have all successfully grown several organizations to the next level. With this funding round, the right people and market leading product we are well set to accelerate the company growth.”

DiamondStream Partners Dean Donovan: “We are very excited about partnering with Wingtra. The product’s simplicity of use, its high reliability engineering, and the company’s global network of value-added resellers and service providers have positioned it to expand its leadership in the $83+ Billion mapping segment of the aerial intelligence market globally. We look forward to helping the company in the United States and Latin America, which will be increasingly important geographies as Wingtra continues to expand.”

Wingtra’s works to revolutionize the mapping workflow for surveying and mapping professionals to help them execute their work better and faster. Significant new features, camera integrations and product launches can be expected in the upcoming years.

TOPODRONE AQUAMAPPER is a drone-based solution for bathymetric surveying and marine construction. The multitasking data collecting device is designed for a wide range of applications in the maritime branch and other water sources. The product mounted on a UAV provides a combination of high-speed efficiency (up to 14 km/h) and accuracy, successfully challenging conventional surveying methods. It is a PPK ready solution, compatible with DJI Matrice 300 RTK. The combination of GNSS and Inertial measurement system helps to get accurate results after data post processing providing a new standard of accuracy, efficiency and flexibility.

“This year, XPONENTIAL is all about designing a shared plan for the future of autonomy,” said Keely Griffith, Vice President of Strategic Programs at AUVSI. “There’s no better place to announce the 2023 XCELLENCE award finalists. Together, they are redefining what’s possible with uncrewed and robotic technology.”

AUVSI’s XCELLENCE Awards honor innovators with a demonstrated commitment to advancing autonomy, leading and promoting safe adoption of uncrewed systems and developing programs that use these technologies to save lives and improve the human condition.

“We developed AQUAMAPPER throughout 2022 and first presented the product at Intergeo 2022. Within half a year our solution has been applied in a number of European countries, USA, Israel, the Philippines and many other locations for bathymetric surveying and mapping. The key application areas include but are not limited to mining, construction, renewable energy and many more”, Maxim Baklykov, TOPODRONE CEO, explains.

Winners will be announced at XPONENTIAL 2023 on May 8-11 at the Colorado Convention Center in Denver, CO. Learn more about the AUVSI XCELLENCE awards here.

About TOPODRONE

TOPODRONE is a Swiss based designer and manufacturer of high-precision surveying equipment for installation on UAVs, vehicles and backpacks. TOPODRONE’s hardware (LiDARs, high resolзution cameras and PPK) are used for mapping and 3D modeling. Application areas include but are not limited to forest and agricultural monitoring, construction and urban planning, and bathymetry. TOPODRONE’s advanced post-processing software provides users with easy-to-use innovative data processing workflows for automatic data generation, georeferencing and alignment using GNSS and IMU data post processing, and SLAM algorithms. For more information, visit topodrone.com

About AUVSI

The Association for Uncrewed Vehicle Systems International (AUVSI) — the world’s largest non-profit organization dedicated to the advancement of uncrewed systems and robotics — represents corporations and professionals from more than 60 countries involved in industry, government, and academia. AUVSI members work in the defense, civil and commercial markets. For more information, visit AUVSI.org.

About XPONENTIAL

Co-hosted by AUVSI and Messe Düsseldorf North America, XPONENTIAL is the leading annual gathering for global leaders and end users of uncrewed technologies. Founded on a belief that cross-pollination drives innovation, it’s the only event designed to advance the entire autonomy ecosystem. Each year, the show welcomes thousands of the industry’s top minds to cultivate collaboration, spark new ideas, and this year, build the blueprint for autonomy. XPONENTIAL is a catalyst – helping each attendee transform their vision into real opportunities. For more information, visit https://www.xponential.org.

“At ComEd we are always looking for ways to improve our customers’ experience and advance our storm recovery efforts. Smarter equipment monitoring is one way to proactively prevent outages and support overall grid performance,” said Terence Donnelly, president and COO of ComEd. “The expansion of our drone program builds upon the innovative work we have done over the last decade to strengthen and modernize our system.”

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), which regulates commercial drone operation, permits organizations like ComEd to request operational waivers that allow pilots to remotely operate drones without a visual line of sight. These operational waivers will allow FAA-certified ComEd pilots to use enhanced drones to support routine equipment inspection, enabling utility crews to focus on priority grid repair and improvements.

Remote monitoring by drone will support overall grid performance by increasing ComEd’s ability to rapidly inspect equipment throughout the electric company’s service territory. This will help reduce operations and maintenance costs, while helping identify potential problem areas and prevent power outages before they occur. Remote, off-site flying capabilities will also maximize ComEd’s drone pilots’ efforts by limiting the time they are physically needed in the field.

To support ComEd’s nation-leading resiliency, routine monitoring of equipment is crucial to ensuring all grid assets are operating as intended. ComEd uses drones in a variety of ways, including to inspect power lines and following storms to assess damage and enable crews to more quickly and efficiently restore power. Drone pilots regularly join frontline workers in the field to assist with line and equipment inspection. In 2022, ComEd also began using drones to support vegetation management.

The drones included in ComEd’s Drone Dock program will be equipped with a high-resolution camera and thermography tools. These features will allow the drones to capture extensive data, digital images and video from all angles of grid equipment, which will then be reviewed to help preemptively address future equipment failure based on equipment conditions and environmental factors.

The docking station, manufactured by Skydio, provides a remote housing unit and launch pad for the drones when not in use. Currently, the technology is installed at ComEd’s Chicago Training Center while ComEd pilots are trained to use the new technology; the installation of additional docks is expected later in 2023 at secure locations throughout ComEd’s service territory.

From agriculture to construction, public safety, and energy, industries worldwide are leveraging innovative drone technology, transforming their workflows for more agile production, safer operations, and comprehensive decision-making. Drones are designed to create impact, disrupt traditions, shift mindsets, and most importantly, create a safer future where we can use technology for the greater good.

As UAV technology becomes widely accepted and used in commercial settings, new innovations emerge to help optimize how the world works.  As a leading drone service provider and retailer, Drone Nerds is bringing together leading industry partners to offer speaking sessions, forums, and presentations on some of the UAV technology.

“Our aim is for businesses, organizations, and individuals to discover the latest UAV solutions, connect with experts, and network with organizations driving change with drone technology. Drones are powerful tools that can impact the world by optimizing the way we operate,” states Jeremy Schneiderman, Drone Nerds’ CEO. 

The Elevate UAV Summit will be held on July 26-27, 2023 at the FIU Biscayne Bay Kovens Conference Center in North Miami, FL. 

Organizations or experts that wish to participate in the Elevate UAV Summit can connect with the event organizers at support@elevateuavsummit.com or submit an application at elevateuavsummit.com. 

Fixed-wing drones provide fast, efficient and reliable service to law enforcement and military forces. This is because police and the military need quick and relevant information to respond quickly to any incident. These drones are a cost-effective option relative to man-hours and can help ensure public safety during investigations.

Get To Know More: https://www.factmr.com/report/fixed-wing-drone-market

According to the Police Forum, 80% to 90% of police worldwide are under-resourced and prefer cheap fixed-wing drones as an alternative to helicopters. Thus, the market growth for global fixed wing drone is expected to expand during the forecast period.

Key Takeaways from Market Study

• The global fixed wing drone market is projected to reach US$ 34,643.5 million by 2033.
• The market witnessed 15.4% CAGR between 2018 and 2022.
• Filming & Photography in application segment dominates the market with 24.4% market share in 2023.
• Under sales channel, offline channel fixed wing drone dominates the market and are valued at US$ 5,445.6 million in 2023.
• Based on region, demand for fixed wing drone expected to increase at CAGR of 18.3% in East Asia during the forecast period.

“Agricultural Industry Preference for Low Cost Fixed Wing Drones to Boosts the Revenue Scale,” says a Fact.MR analyst.

Market Development

Smart spraying and sowing is not the only way to increase efficiency, reduce costs and increase yields across the farm. Drones can also be used to map areas and gain new insights. DJI drones so far has spread over 350,000 square kilometres in terms of fleet penetration and coverage area. Over the expected period, these factors are likely to contribute to the growth of the global fixed-wing drone market. Farmers manage their crops to ensure efficiency of inputs such as water and fertilizer to maximize productivity, quality and yield. The term also includes minimizing pests, unwanted flooding, and disease. Drones allow farmers to constantly monitor the condition of their crops and livestock from the air, quickly spotting problems that ground-level spot checks cannot.

Beginning in March, Helisul will manage the sale, support, and operation of FIXAR 007 drones. The technologically advanced, compact fixed-wing craft boasts over 60-kilometers of flight capacity. That will enable extended BVLOS services for enterprise users in Brazil, particularly those in agriculture, mining, infrastructure inspection activities, and owners of offshore platforms whose missions cover vast areas.

The FIXAR 007 has already demonstrated its endurance and mettle in exacting conditions like high-altitude mountain flights. Yet its Latvia-based developer will soon top that with the FIXAR 025 – a drone with a 10-kilogram payload and astonishing 300-kilometer flight capacity that’s expected to come online later this year.

Awaiting that, Helisul will provide aerial services with the innovative FIXAR 007. The hybrid fixed-wing vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) craft can carry a two-kilogram payload for up to an hour at speeds of 20 m/s – around 30% faster than competing craft. 

Its configuration provides the convenience of a quadcopter with the range and efficiency of a fixed-wing drone. That winning combination permits fast and easy takeoffs and landings on any terrain without needing parachutes, catapults, or other accessories, and prolonged mission distances with greater speed and efficiency.

Drawing on its deep experience and qualifications in Brazilian aviation, Helisul will put FIXAR drones’ outstanding performance capabilities to maximum use for enterprise clients.

“As it considered Brazilian partners, FIXAR recognized Helisul’s reputation for safety, quality, and technology in the aviation market,” says head of Helisul’s drone division, Lucas Fontoura, adding his company will also facilitate securing authorization from regulators to operate the craft in exceptional circumstances. “FIXAR also appreciated our experience and unparalleled ability in obtaining certification of drones used, and authorization to fly missions above 400 feet from the National Civil Aviation Agency.”

As the Helisul-FIXAR tandem solidifies its activities in Brazil, the partners will also examine ways expand their drone services work to other nations in region.

“Helisul, with its 50-year experience in aviation, offers everything FIXAR needs for expansion in the Latin American region,” says Yulia Druzhnikova, FIXAR’s co-founder and Director of Global Expansion, who points to Helisul’s excellence in drone training and maintenance as another driver of the partnership. “We are happy to contribute FIXAR’s VTOL drones, designed for advanced missions in challenging environments, to unleash the full potential of the Latin American drone market, and increase safety and efficiency.”

Its entry into Brazil reflects continued efforts by FIXAR to raise the profile of its ground-breaking drone technology in an increasing number of nations around the world – an objective Helisul will help it attain in the country and wider region.

“With this partnership, Brazil joins the USA, Australia, Japan, Korea, and European and African countries playing home to FIXAR distribution centers,” says Helisul’s executive superintendent Humberto Biesuz. “We are investing heavily in this FIXAR-Helisul partnership in order to deliver the best technology, most advanced drones, and safety to Brazilians in collaboration with the National Civil Aviation Agency”.

Bluesky’s sister company, Bluesky International of Leicestershire, England, developed and introduced the MetroVista program in the United Kingdom in 2018 and has mapped more than 20 cities across the England and Scotland in 3D. For the U.S. program, Boston is the first metropolitan area completed by Bluesky Geospatial, which will feature in project presentations this week at Geo Week 2023 in Denver.

“For many clients, the MetroVista 3D data set serves as the foundation for highly detailed digital twins at the heart of Smart City initiatives,” said Bluesky Chief Commercial Officer, Ralph Coleman. “The rich information content of the 3D data enables accurate visualization of existing features for informed decision making and realistic simulation of future development for comparative analysis.”

The MetroVista product is already being used in city management and urban planning for agencies as diverse as emergency services, transportation, environmental protection, and utilities. Bluesky has seen rapid growth in the adoption of 3D data sets and digital twins in the AEC (architecture engineering construction), real estate, and insurance sectors.

For data collection, Bluesky flies the airborne Leica CityMapper-2 hybrid sensor which captures simultaneous oblique and nadir imagery along with LiDAR elevation measurements. Bluesky processes the data to create georeferenced 3D mesh models with 5-cm resolution and 10-cm accuracy. The 3D models are delivered in a variety of formats for direct ingest into GIS and CAD environments.

“The MetroVista 3D product allows managers and planners to measure, model, and analyze the terrain and features in their cityscapes with confidence – all without leaving the office,” said Coleman.

The MetroVista U.S. program builds on a nearly 80-year legacy of delivering accurate, reliable and quality mapping projects under the Col-East name since 1946 and as part of the Bluesky brand since 2017. Along with its full line of aerial mapping services, Bluesky Geospatial will perform MetroVista city projects for clients in the Northeastern U.S. and beyond, adding to its archive of aerial imagery, photography, and LiDAR products.

Geo Week 2023 attendees are invited to visit booth 315 at the Colorado Convention Center where Bluesky President Simon Tidmarsh, Account Manager Shaun Vincent, and Ralph Coleman will discuss the MetroVista program and other mapping services from February 13 to 15. Ralph Coleman will present on the Boston 3D project during the “Digital Twins at Scale” session at 2 pm on Monday, Feb. 13.

“For the past several years, we have been on a mission to democratize reality capture with the BLK product series, including the BLK2FLY, the world’s first autonomous flying laser scanner. Having the product short listed for the Next Level Awards is thrilling and yet wouldn’t be possible without the insight gained from working with construction leaders all over the world,” said Craig Martin, President US/Canada at Hexagon’s Geosystems division.

With a few simple taps on a tablet, users can quickly, easily and accurately capture and scan features and dimensions of sites and structures that would otherwise be dangerous or inaccessible for humans. Advanced obstacle avoidance and the ability to determine optimal scan routes make the BLK2FLY the most effective aerial reality capture solution for civil engineering companies. The flying laser scanner documents heavy construction sites, buildings, rooftops, facades and other environments with improved accuracy and detail, enhanced safety and increased efficiency.

“We’re excited to recognize these innovative construction products that are taking the industry to the next level,” said Dana Wuesthoff, CONEXPO-CON/AGG show director. “And March 14-16, it will be in the hands of CONEXPO-CON/AGG attendees to determine the Contractors’ Top Choice.”

The Leica BLK2FLY will be recognized with signage in the event’s booths – N-12325 – so show attendees can vote on-site to determine the Contractors’ Top Choice. Attendees will be able to scan a QR code and vote for their favorite entry.

The Leica BLK2FLY was selected by a diverse panel of Associated General Contractors of America (AGC) members. They judged based on three criteria:

1. Addresses a common industry need in a unique and innovative way. 
2. Benefits the industry across multiple applications for industry wide adoption. 
3. Positively impacts the safety, sustainability and workforce of the industry. 

Voting will only take place onsite at the show. Registration for CONEXPO-CON/AGG and IFPE is currently 20 percent off with code MEDIA20.

Leica Geosystems – when it has to be right 

Revolutionising the world of measurement and survey for more than 200 years, Leica Geosystems, part of Hexagon, is the trusted supplier of premium sensors, software and services. Delivering value every day to professionals in surveying, construction, infrastructure, mining, mapping and other geospatial content-dependent industries, Leica Geosystems leads the industry with innovative solutions to empower our autonomous future.  Hexagon (Nasdaq Stockholm: HEXA B) has approximately 24,000 employees in 50 countries and net sales of approximately 5.2bn EUR. Learn more at hexagon.com and follow us @HexagonAB.  

Stakeholders in the construction industry are facing acute challenges: rising prices for raw materials, labor shortage, and a high pressure on productivity often result in cost overruns and low efficiency in construction projects. KEWAZO’s robotic products enable the automation and digitalization of the on-site material flow by combining robotics and data analytics.

By being involved in critical on-site activities, the robotic products of KEWAZO collect key operational data. This data is then processed and provided to customers as actionable insights via the data analytics platform, enhancing the transparency of what happens on-site at construction sites and industrial plants. The results are a data-driven and proactive project management. Since 2021, KEWAZO’s products have been used on Europe’s iconic construction sites and leading industrial plants in the oil, gas, energy, and chemical industries.

“We see a great fit between our software and the robotics solutions from KEWAZO. By driving both, we unleash a lot of potential for the construction industry and enable all the stakeholders to face the current challenges of the industry”, says Yves Padrines, CEO of the Nemetschek Group.

“The investment by the global player Nemetschek is a big step forward for us. It closes the gap between onsite hardware and software, which is often only used in offices. It allows us to make the construction site more digital, smarter, and safer for everyone”, comments Artem Kuchukov, CEO and Co-Founder of KEWAZO.

The results speak for themselves: By implementing KEWAZO’s solution, 70% of man-hours can be saved. This is not only addressing the critical labor-shortage, but simultaneously reducing the risk of accidents and improving overall working conditions on-site.

Tanja Kufner, Head of Startups & Venture Investments at the Nemetschek Group adds that “investing KEWAZO is a strong continuation of our strategy of driving innovation and digitalization throughout the entire value chain of construction.” The cash infusion from excellent investor group will enable KEWAZO’s team to grow their team, accelerate the go to market in other regions and the development of new features.

The investment in KEWAZO is the first for the Nemetschek Group in a robotics startup and continues its strategy of supporting young and innovative entrepreneurs to shape the future AEC/O market and drive innovation. See also our recent announcements regarding investments in the startups SymTerra, Imerso, Reconstruct, and Sablono.

From transportation to infrastructure to inventory management, the EDVY competition covers the full spectrum of drone technology’s use in the AEC industry.  By becoming a sponsor for the 2023 competition, companies are putting their product in the same conversation as those on the front lines of the industry.

Sponsorship packages begin with advantages such as branding on all competition materials, access to leads, and an email marketing campaign.  These benefits only increase as the tiers of sponsorship increase.

Sponsorships packages are now available, and can be tailored to fit any firm.  Those interested in becoming a sponsor for the 2021 Engineering Drone Video of the Year competition should reach out to Anna Finley (afinley@zweiggroup.com).

More information can be found in our Sponsor Packet and Media Kit.

Videos must be original, comprised of video footage gathered with a drone or other UAV/S, and should feature an engineering or construction project. Additionally, videos should be between 1:00-5:00 in length. There is no fee to enter. Deadline to enter is April 28, 2023.

The winner will be awarded with a feature article and cover in Civil+Structural Engineer Magazine and a TOPODRONE Post Processing software license. The software allows to perform a highly automatic GNSS and IMU post-processing, calculate a high-precision trajectory, generate a LIDAR point cloud, automatically perform boresight calibration, strip alignment and apply SLAM-based enhancement. The software makes it possible to get up to 1-3 cm x,y,z accuracy. It contains a number of useful tools that every surveyor needs, such as the coordinate converter, editor and merging RINEX files, it supports various coordinate systems and Geoids.

The software along with TOPODRONE surveying and mapping hardware solutions will be exhibited at Geo Week 2023.  Meet the team at stand #1135 in Colorado Convention Center (Denver, CO, USA) between February 13 and 15. To book a meeting with the team on site and get a promo code contact info@topodrone.com.

Enter the 2023 Engineering Drone Video of the Year (EDVY) Competition here: https://live-cs-engineer-magazine.pantheonsite.io/engineering-drone-video-contest-of-the-year-2023/

Bazzocchi and Martinez have received funds from La Fondation Dassault Systèmes, Clarkson’s Center for Advanced Materials Processing (CAMP), and internal sources to help fund the facility. 

Nearly 17% of the US population is age 65 and older, and that number is expected to grow to over 20% by the year 2040. As people enter the twilight of their lives, the ability to live in one’s own home safely and independently is paramount. There is a critical need for the design and development of new assistive and intelligent devices to promote aging in place.

“With the aging population in upstate NY and across the U.S., there is a tremendous demand for assistive technology as well as its adaptation to a particular individual’s needs,” Bazzocchi said.

AIDFab will synergistically leverage Dr. Bazzocchi’s expertise in assistive robotics and intelligent control systems and Dr. Martinez’s expertise in smart materials and advanced manufacturing to produce novel devices that support our aging population. Engineering students will make an impact in the lives of aging individuals by learning to design devices that address real-world challenges through consultation and collaboration with occupational therapists.

“While Clarkson University’s occupational therapists can assist patients with simple adaptations and accessing established assistive technologies, often there are challenges faced by individuals that cannot be solved through the use of existing technology,” Bazzocchi said.

Through the acquisition of new research equipment and technology, engineering faculty and students at Clarkson University will be able to fill the development and fabrication gap needed to help individuals age safely, comfortably, and independently in their own homes. AIDFab will enable 3D modeling, prototyping, fabricating, and testing of new assistive and intelligent devices that promote aging in place. The development process will be informed by close collaborations with occupational therapists at Clarkson, and after laboratory testing, the developed technologies will be evaluated with participants in on-campus OT simulation environments.

The equipment that will be purchased as part of AIDFab, will form part of a new shared laboratory for the Clarkson community. Some of the equipment being obtained for the project includes:

• A high-performance Xact Metal 3D Printer for metal powder-bed fusion in manufacturing, research and development
• Small-scale personal home robots: SoftBank Robotics’ Pepper, a semi-humanoid open platform robot capable of recognizing faces and basic human emotions, and Unitree’s AlienGo quadruped robot and Z1 robotic arm 
• Actuators, sensors, circuit components, and microcontrollers will be acquired and a workspace for the development of robotic and electromechanical assistive devices will be established

“We anticipate that this project will have significant educational and societal impacts. Engineering students will learn to design devices that address real-world challenges through collaborations with individuals and occupational therapists. Further, the designs will be publicly disseminated and will help to solve challenges that people face today while aging in place.  We are currently making connections with local agencies for aging and assistive living to help ensure that the developed technologies help meet the needs of our community,” Bazzocchi said.

“We want to thank La Fondation Dassault Systèmes, CAMP Director Devon Shipp and Coulter School of Engineering Dean Bill Jemison for their support and funding and believing in this project,” Bazzocchi said. 

For more information on Dr. Bazzocchi’s research, please visit the Astronautics and Robotics Laboratory (ASTRO Lab) website.

For more information on Dr. Martinez’s research, please visit the Holistic Approach to Structural Integrity Process (HolSIP) lab website.

The use of these advanced unmanned vehicles is increasing in the oil and gas industry and the defence sector. This has encouraged investment in this sector and strengthened offshore inspection and maintenance services. The increasing demand for energy has led to exploration activities in a variety of deep-sea and hostile environments using innovative technologies developed in recent years. Areas that were humanly impossible to explore are now delved into with the help of drones.

Get To Know More: https://www.factmr.com/report/offshore-drone-inspection-market

For example, in August 2021, multinational energy company Equinor ASA completed the world’s first drone logistics operation to an offshore facility. As a result, the offshore drone inspection market is expected to grow significantly during the forecast period.

Key Takeaways from Market Study

• The global offshore drone inspection market is projected to reach US$1,456.8 million by 2033.
• The market witnessed 9.8% CAGR between 2018 and 2022.
• Filming & Photography in application segment dominates the market with 24.4% market share in 2023.
• Under drone type, rotary wing offshore drone inspection dominates the market and are valued at US$ 226.4 million in 2023.
• Based on region, demand for offshore drone inspection expected to increase at CAGR of 13.5% in East Asia during the forecast period.

“Improvement in the Surveillance Boosts the Offshore Drone Inspection Market,” says a Fact.MR analyst.

Market Development

Traditional inspection methods can be replaced with advance technology, providing more data with less risk and less downtime. Offshore operators will continue to use other assistive technologies such as AI, wireless networks, analytics, robotics, IoT and cloud systems to access and analyse data to improve data-driven decision making. Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) have been highly efficient and lucrative technology for conducting surveillance activities in offshore environments across a variety of industries. Due to the great advantages these devices offer, governments and companies are using them to perform a variety of functions such as collection of data for inspection, security and surveillance. This increases the demand for the offshore drone inspection market.

ERELIS performed two-stage drone surveying to deliver a high-precision 3D model of the reservoir. First, aerial photogrammetry and LiDAR surveys were performed using a DJI M300 drone equipped with a TOPODRONE camera P61 and a LiDAR HI-RES system to

determine the location of possible obstacles. LiDAR scanning provided accurate detection of cables in the water. 

Second, an underwater bathymetric survey using a TOPODRONE AQUAMAPPER mounted to the same drone was conducted avoiding detected obstacles (cables, solar panels and other objects). The flight mission was planned and executed with the UgCS software by SPH Engineering. 

The collected LiDAR & bathymetry data was processed by TOPODRONE Post Processing software. As a result, a georeferenced orthophoto map, a 3D model of the relief and objects, a 3D model of the bottom of the reservoir, contour lines and isobaths were generated. Such 3D models can be used for high-precision assessment of sediment volumes, general monitoring of reservoir banks and visual monitoring. In addition, surveying with a TOPODRONE AQUAMAPPER made it possible to estimate sludge deposits of the reservoir.

“Our company has been performing drone-based bathymetric surveying services for water reservoirs/basins and coastal waters since 2021. The unique ability to use the same UAV (DJI M300) with different kinds of TOPODRONE equipment, LiDAR HI-RES systems, a high resolution camera and AQUAMAPPER, makes it possible to unify equipment use, thereby reducing costs and eliminating the need for additional tools. The aerial and echo-sounding data synchronization at the post-processing stage helps to obtain the full geo-data package that could be used for survey and data digitization, modeling, mapping, aerial photogrammetry, quantities calculation or other output products by client demand,” commented Roman Kirsanov, CEO of ERELIS. “Back in autumn 2022 we had our first AQUAMAPPER client that used the device together with TOPODRONE LiDAR ULTRA for an EU road construction project to build a highway in one of the toughest terrains with a river component in Romania, EU. We are proud to see clients developing new application areas of our equipment, including reservoir characterization and modeling,” added Maxim Baklykov, CEO of TOPODRONE.

To learn more about TOPODRONE LiDAR and bathymetric solutions to perform reservoir characterization and modeling join a free online webinar on February 2, 2023: https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_T43KeI2uQU-8jbI7o4N21Q 

About TOPODRONE 

TOPODRONE (https://topodrone.com/) is a Swiss based designer and manufacturer of high-precision surveying equipment for installation on UAVs, vehicles and backpacks. TOPODRONE’s hardware (LiDARs, high resolution cameras and PPK) are used for mapping and 3D modeling. Application areas include but are not limited to forest and agricultural monitoring, construction and urban planning, and bathymetry. TOPODRONE’s advanced post-processing software provides users with easy-to-use innovative data processing workflows for automatic data generation, georeferencing and alignment using GNSS and IMU data post processing, and SLAM algorithms.

2022 has been a year of new horizons for the Engineering Drone Video of the Year (EDVY) Competition.  When the inaugural EDVY Competition launched in 2017, UAVs and drones held a much different position in the AEC industry.  Over half a decade ago, these first EDVY videos had a DIY-quality, often coming as a result of an intrepid drone pilot asking for permission to film a construction site.  This is a common refrain amongst those who have been in the drone industry since that time and far before: that, ironically, convincing the AEC industry to adopt drones as a tool required quite a bit of leg work.  Quite rapidly, UAVs and drones have been adopted into the daily practices of many major AEC firms, becoming indispensable tools for a variety of tasks in the design, construction, inspection, and maintenance of projects and structures.  

Just as the efforts of these early drones industry pioneers benefitted the current state of the AEC industry, so too has the EDVY Competition grown in tandem.  Drones are more than just a camera in the sky or method of generating new marketing content, although in the case of the latter it is evidently useful.  This year’s competition was evidence of this development, providing viewers with stunning drone videography, but also context on how drone technology had an impact on a particular project.  In much the same way our 2021 winner, Reid Hu, used aesthetics to convey information about the project, this trend was also present in this year’s field of competitors.  Production choices such as color shifting and digital overlays made this year’s competition stronger than ever.  

Drones and UAVs are now influencing budgets, workflows, and safety procedures on projects across the globe.  When it comes to Building Information Modeling (BIM) and 3D Modeling, drones have become an indispensable tool for engineering and construction projects.  Developments in drone technology are continually allowing drones to fly higher, faster, and for a longer time.  This has made them the ideal tool for capturing the necessary data for buildings and other large scale projects.  The ability to accurately model a project at its different stages helps improve things like workflow.  Drones have also drastically improved the safety of workers building the world around us.  This was proven true in May 2021 when traffic was abruptly halted on the Hernando de Soto bridge in Memphis, Tennessee.  Engineers inspecting the bridge identified a fracture in the tie girder of the arch over the primary navigation channel. After traffic was halted, engineers deployed drones to assess the full extent of the fracture, a job that would have otherwise required workers to navigate a potentially compromised structure.

EDVY has benefited tremendously from this blossoming of drone and UAV technology.  To accommodate for the complexity of these videos and the time and effort it took to produce them, we decided to shift the judging process slightly from previous years.  In the past, our audience first voted on which video they thought was the best during the online voting period.  The top vote-earners from this round were then evaluated by our panel of judges.  This year’s competition was inverted, with our panel of judges watching and scoring the first group of entries.  The top ten videos from this round of judging were then voted on by our audience over a 14-day period.  

This change resulted in the most electrifying round of voting in the history of the competition.  Early in the first day of voting, HDR’s “A Childlike View” jumped out in front of the competition, garnering over 100 votes on the first day.  Framed from the perspective of a drone operator’s child, HDR’s entry not only demonstrated the broad spectrum of drone applications in the AEC industry, but also called to their larger capacity to inspire the next generation and recruit more people into the industry.  Using a child’s perspective to explain how drones support technologies like BIM, this not only explains why drones are helpful in the AEC industry to a general audience, but also does so in a way that will recruit the younger generation to the profession.  At the same time HDR’s entry was rising, so too was RS&H’s “Wekiva Parkway-Section 6 Design-Build”, which used a combination of drone imagery of both the local flora and fauna and their infrastructure project in Sorrento, Florida.  This juxtaposition of imagery, combined with narration that serves the same purpose–listing the numbers of water crossings (3), road crossings (6), and wildlife crossings(9).  The result is a video that contextualizes the project in its natural space.  In the same way that HDR’s entry has the potential to draw new people to the industry, RS&H’s entry shows the environmental considerations that take place on a project of that scale.

At the end of the first day, two videos rose to the top: Freese & Nichols’ “2022 Bois d’Arc Lake Drones Project” and Casale’s “Nitric Acid Plant.”  Freese & Nichols has become a perennial contender for the top spot in the EDVY competition.  After finishing in the finals in the 2021 competition, Freese and Nichols again returned with an exciting look at the construction of the Bois d’Arc Lake Dam in Texas, the state’s first major reservoir in 30 years.  The video’s long sweeping shots–filled with both space and the movement of construction–pair with contextual information at the bottom of the screen and a switch to color as the project is completed.  This effectively moves the viewer from the shots of construction into a fully realized understanding of the project’s completion, aesthetically and contextually speaking to the project’s positive environmental impact.

When the second day of voting began, both Casale’s and Freese & Nichols’ entries were surging to break 200 votes with the lead changing several times throughout the day.  This same pattern continued throughout the next several days of voting as these top two entries soared past 1,000 votes, exchanging first and second place no less than six times in the span of five days.  As the final day of voting continued, Casale’s entry persevered the gauntlet and emerged with a strong lead.  At the conclusion of the voting period, Casale’s entry received exactly 800 votes more than Freese & Nichols’.

After battling through a field of contenders stronger than ever before, Casale’s “Nitric Acid Plant” emerged as the clear champion of the 2022 competition.  This is the first time the EDVY winner is located outside of the United States, speaking to the massive development of the drone/UAV industry around the world, but particularly within Europe.  And this video, and its production as well as the plant itself, are a testament to the use of the technology in Europe and its prevalence in the AEC industry.  

The winning video was entered by Casale, a Swiss chemical engineering company headquartered in Lugano.  The project featured in their video was a recently completed nitric acid plant located in Köping, Sweden.  The video was shot by Andrea Perotti who is a Senior IT System Administrator at Casale.  Perotti is both a professional and private drone operator, having once set a world record with 73 individually-assembled drones being piloted by 8-15 year olds.  In his professional work, Perotti uses drones for marketing purposes, creating videos and taking photos, and also to create 3D scans of projects.

According to Perotti, the winning video took about a week to capture enough footage for their submission.  Working with at least one other person at all times, Perotti and his crew filmed twice in the morning and twice in the afternoon.  They also took advantage of the local environment, which allowed for a midnight shooting because there is never total darkness during June in Sweden.  The video makes ample use of this footage, using the low light as a softly glowing background to the plant’s vibrant lighting and complex design.  Perotti and his team also had to consider their system as it related to an active nitric acid plant.  Any issue that could potentially lead to engine failure and the drone falling had to be avoided at all costs.  A drone falling and damaging the plant’s systems would have significant potential to disturb or release nitric acid, which is under pressure in the plant below.  

To avoid potential safety issues, Perotti and his team used a hexacopter drone, which ensured the possibility of landing rather than falling in the event of an engine problem.  Furthermore, the team identified places that had to be avoided such as cooling zones or other critical areas.  With the plant’s capability of producing up to 685 metric tons of nitric acid per day, plant project manager Marco Lonetti stressed the importance of ensuring these zones were identified and monitored for avoidance.  After identifying these spaces, Perotti piloted the drone and the other crew member monitored the location of the drone and the footage, ensuring it would not enter one of these areas.  Lonetti also notes that, while Casale also uses drones to produce scans on projects still being constructed, the challenge of ensuring a safe flight over an active production facility was a unique experience.   

The result of their planning and safety precautions was a stunning example of how drones provide a unique perspective on our view of projects.  Beginning with vertical shots looking directly down as the drones fly over the length of the plant, the audience is immediately introduced to the complexity of the structure which is highlighted by the plant’s sectioned lighting.  This is followed by a more horizontal shot of the plant moving towards the ground, which again emphasizes the complexity of the subject structure.  This horizontal view is again shifted even lower, allowing the viewer to peer between pipes and down hallways.  These movements mirror Lonetti’s sentiments about the plant’s importance and the complexity of the nitric acid itself.  Lonetti points out that, while the potential for an explosion is always present when handling nitric acid, its production is essential to a wide array of industries and products, being used for fertilizer, plastics, dyes, and a host of other staples of the modern world.

The final result of this blending of vertical and horizontal footage is a video that allows its audience an intimate view and better understanding of an industry that is fundamental to both the economy and the built environment.  In this way, Casale’s winning video demonstrates the core values of the contest itself.  By using drones footage in a way that uses its technical capabilities to both ensure the safety of the project and to give the viewer a unique view on its subject matter, Casale’s “Nitric Acid Plant” represents the best of the best when it comes to drone and UAV utilization.

2022 EDVY Top Ten 

1. Nitric Acid Plant – Köping, Sweden (CASALE)
2. Bois d’Arc Lake (Freese & Nichols)
3. Wekiva Parkway Section 6 Design-Build, Sorrento, FL (RS&H)
4. Drone Technology: A Childlike View (HDR)
5. Red Wing Regional Airport- Red Wing, MN (SEH)
6. Eric’sons Dura Trench Gas Stations / Fueling Stations (Eric’sons)
7. Trenchless Technology using HDD installation of Fusible PVC Pipe (Underground Solutions)
8. 18 History Making Days at The Colorado Convention Center – Temporary COVID Alternative Care Facility (ECC)
9. Relocation of Historic Vautravers Building-Chicago, IL (Wolfe)
10. The Bower Apartments (Westwood)

Luke Carothers is the Editor for Civil + Structural Engineer Media. If you want us to cover your project or want to feature your own article, he can be reached at lcarothers@zweiggroup.com.  

*This article was originally published in July 2022

“Houston, Austin, and Dallas/Fort Worth are large markets, and it is a natural next step of our continuing expansion strategy. Moving into the Texas market allows us to best serve the needs of both existing and new clients in architecture, engineering, construction, and commercial real estate. Coupled with the urgent need for infrastructure inspections across the United States, it was the right time to expand our drone services in Texas. This also represents the continued growth and value provided by the commercial drone services industry as a whole,” said Co-Founder of Helios Visions, Ted Parisot.

Helios Visions brings years of dedicated drone inspection experience to the State of Texas by offering drone services in the following areas:

Infrastructure Inspection (bridges, overpasses, viaducts, etc.)

Building façade inspection 

Construction progress documentation 

Commercial real estate

“Given its central location and the high population growth trajectory, we knew that expanding into the Texas market would allow us to best serve the needs of both existing and new clients. I am often traveling across Texas for other projects including Luby’s Restaurants and Charming Studios, so it is a natural progression for Helios Visions to expand our drone service offerings here,” said Calvin Gin, Co-Founder of Helios Visions.

Now with a presence in Texas, Helios Visions is even more centrally located in the U.S. to better support projects requiring drone services throughout the Southwest region of the United States.

Commercial drone operations are already providing essential services to the American public and hold immense promise to simultaneously provide workforce, economic, and environmental benefits to the communities where they operate. Examples of commercial drone operations include infrastructure inspections, package delivery, wireless internet and cell connectivity, agricultural surveying and many more. Drones are also being used by first responders to save lives serving search and rescue, firefighting, and police departments across the country. 

Numerous industries are relying on drones for their operations, and significant industry growth is expected in the years ahead. According to the FAA, as of October 2022 there are 869,000 registered drones with over 300,000 of those flown commercially; by 2025, there will be 2.49 million operational drones. 

“State, local, and tribal governments have a key role to play in the growing drone economy and the Drone Prepared campaign provides critical resources for communities to understand the complex, evolving industry and begin preparing in ways that will welcome the industry, and its benefits, to their geographies.” said Michael Healander, President & CEO at Airspace Link, an AUVSI Premium Member. 

To educate lawmakers at the state, local, and tribal levels about how they can prepare for this increase in drones in a way that brings economic, environmental and workforce benefits, AUVSI will engage its robust network of chapters and local advocates. The campaign will also leverage leaders in the industry, build coalitions with diverse partners, publish research, and provide recommendations on industry-backed solutions. 

“In Texas, small business owners and large corporations alike are eager to leverage drones and take advantage of the many benefits they provide. AUVSI Lone Star – and our other chapters throughout the nation – look forward to working closely with lawmakers to implement legislation that fosters the continued growth of this exciting industry,” said Adrian Doko, AUVSI Lone Star Chapter President and CEO of Imperial Aerial, Inc. 

During the 2023 legislative sessions, AUVSI will support proposals in states nationwide to achieve drone preparedness which: (1) Promote drone use for public benefit; (2) Recognize the authority of the Federal Aviation Administration over airspace navigation and safety; (3) Leverage existing laws that already address concerns like privacy and trespass; and (4) Promote technology neutrality. 

Michael Smitsky, Director, Government Affairs at AUVSI, said: “The potential for expansion of commercial drone operations remains tremendous. We welcome opportunities to share with lawmakers how they can unlock scalable, secure and sustainable commercial drone operations that will benefit their communities – while maintaining the highest levels of airspace safety and regulatory compliance.” 

Drone Prepared partners include AUVSI’s Air Advocacy Committee members, including Airspace Link, Echodyne, and Aura Network Systems; the Drone Service Providers Alliance; and Wiley Rein LLP. Learn more about Drone Prepared at droneprepared.org. 

“Presagis is honored to team with Kambill Systems and their HelloGeo cloud platform to provide a comprehensive AI-based geospatial solution to Indian National Survey Agency/State Revenue Department of India,” said Jean-Michel Briere, President of Presagis based in Montreal, Canada. “Together, our companies plan to deliver fast and accurate large-area mapping services to civilian and defense survey organizations across the APAC Region.”

Kambill and Presagis will demonstrate their integrated geospatial mapping capabilities in booth 37 at the GeoSmart India 2022 Conference being held November 15-17 in Hyderabad.  The AI-based feature extraction tools are part of the recently released Presagis VELOCITY 5D (V5D) digital twin generation platform, which will also be demonstrated at the conference.

“Kambill chose to integrate the Presagis AI building footprint and vegetation extraction tools into its HelloGeo geospatial solution after Presagis completed a nationwide 3D digital twin creation project covering 65,000 square kilometers for a European country in just three days,” said by Kamal Sharma, CEO of Kambill Systems. The automated Presagis AI algorithms succeeded in identifying 1.34 million building footprints in satellite imagery, which exceeded the results of manual footprint delineation by a staggering 55,000 structures.

“The speed and accuracy of our AI feature extraction algorithms – especially in projects covering massive geographic areas – are unmatched in the geospatial community,” said Briere. “Our automated process will deliver a significant savings in time and money for Indian National Survey Agency/ State Revenue Department of India which currently relies on manual extraction methods.”

Presagis has leveraged AI and game engine technologies to build its cloud-based V5D platform for fast and automated conversion of massive volumes of diverse 2D geospatial data into high-fidelity 3D digital twins. With no geospatial data processing expertise, V5D users can easily produce realistic and scalable digital twins that are ready immediately for use in advanced visualization and simulation to unlock the context often hidden in geospatial data and empower better decision.

To learn more about V5D, please visit www.velocity5d.com.

The BLK2FLY, recognised for its productivity and innovation, is the world’s first fully integrated autonomous flying laser scanner. It’s part of Hexagon’s BLK suite of autonomous reality capture sensors known for their speed, portability, ease-of-use and mobility.

To compile the list, TIME solicited nominations from TIME’s editors and correspondents around the world, and through an online application process, paying special attention to growing fields – such as the electric vehicle industry, green energy, and the metaverse. TIME then evaluated each contender on a number of key factors, including originality, efficacy, ambition, and impact.

“Having our reality capture technology recognised by TIME as one of the year’s best inventions is both humbling and inspiring. It validates our mission to build Smart Digital Realities that empower an autonomous, sustainable future,” says Hexagon President and CEO Ola Rollén. “Our technologies aim to change the world for the better, turning concepts that were once thought impossible into real solutions that benefit everyone. By optimising quality, productivity, efficiency and safety – profitably – we can help industry achieve sustainability through mitigated risk, less waste and reduced cost.”

As a LiDAR-based unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), the BLK2FLY addresses costly and complex issues, quickly and accurately capturing everything from large outdoor spaces to complex structures and environments. For example, when renovating building structures, it can easily capture exterior dimensions of previously inaccessible or difficult-to-reach areas such as rooftops and facades. The resulting colourised 3D point clouds are instrumental in building information modeling (BIM) processes, documenting site conditions and improving any asset’s operation – from infrastructure to utilities to industrial facilities.

See the full list of TIME’s Best Inventions of 2022 here: time.com/best-inventions-2022

Aerospace is a national nonprofit that operates a federally-funded research and development center, providing technical expertise and objective analysis to help solve the hardest problems facing the nation’s space programs. Known for developing innovative technologies, the Aerospace’s patented retro-reflector spectroscopy system is a UAV-based laser and electro-optics system. By working together with a leader in U.S.-made BVLOS airborne intelligence, Aerospace’s valuable technology can be leveraged to measure the concentration of gases and address the greenhouse gas challenge in the atmosphere.

“This licensing opportunity allows us to leverage this intellectual property helping industries across the country detect these harmful gases more efficiently,” said Noel Heiks, Vice President of Sensing & Data at Censys Technologies. “The RetraSpectra system exemplifies how we can enrich and improve lives through technology. As the leading U.S. manufacturer of intelligent long-range drone solutions, we are constantly looking for ways to create technology or make use of what’s already out there. Aerospace’s retro-reflector technology produced a perfect foundation for detecting these gases, and this licensing agreement is just one example of how we leverage technologies to create results.”

Current airborne payloads use a laser beam aimed in a downward direction at target locations with reflection from any topological surface to detect methane and other emissions. The resultant detected signal on board the aircraft is noisy from scattering upon reflection from surrounding surfaces, such as ground, pipes, grass, etc. Instead, by employing a retro-reflector optimized for the detection system – and one that can be situated in any location or on a mobile platform – the signal quality can be enhanced and allow for dynamic scanning across any region of interest above targets. Typically, these inspections are conducted over pipelines or orphaned wells, seeking out the many hidden sources of methane leaks that are impacting our climate.

According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), more than eight million metric tons of methane are emitted each year. Censys’ RetraSpectra system identifies and maps greenhouse gases to rapidly locate methane sources and other fugitive emissions so that actively leaking wells or pipeline equipment can be triaged and fixed. The novel system can also map carbon dioxide emissions and sinks, which is especially important for industries like agriculture and forestry as they determine which vegetation can be beneficial for the environment.

“We are excited to see our technology licensed by a leading U.S. manufacturer of UAVs,” said Jim Myers, Senior Vice President of The Aerospace Corporation. “We are committed to collaborating with U.S. small businesses to advance U.S. space capabilities in the national interest.”

Drones and similar small unmanned aerial vehicles (sUAVs) have seen a massive surge in popularity over the past few years owing to their innovative applications, such as crop monitoring, search and rescue operations, and coast profiling. The potential of sUAVs in atmospheric science and meteorology has not gone unnoticed either as drones offer an efficient way to place various kinds of sensors up above in the lower atmosphere.

As evidenced by pioneering studies led by the National Institute of Polar Research, Japan, small drones bearing meteorology sensors can be useful for weather forecasting in places where weather stations are scarce or costly to set up and maintain, such as the polar regions. With the use of drones, invaluable data could be gathered for making numerical weather predictions and improving climate models.

However, several practical challenges remain to be addressed on this front. One clear example is measurement of wind speeds for wind profiling. While a few companies are commercializing drones for conducting wind speed measurements, these drones tend to be large and expensive. This is because the ultrasonic anemometers that they carry are heavy and bulky. On the other hand, although wind speed could in theory be calculated from the drone’s internal flight log data, there is no way to access these data in most commercial drones. Thus, with no alternative methods to measure wind speed, application of sUAVs remain limited.

To tackle this issue, Associate Professor Jun Inoue of the National Institute of Polar Research and Assistant Professor Kazutoshi Sato of the Kitami Institute of Technology, both in Japan, have recently conducted a study in which they tested and validated a new wind speed measurement device compatible with sUAVs: thermal anemometers. As explained in their paper published in MDPI’s Drones published on October 3, 2022, thermal anemometers, also called “hot-wire anemometers,” are small electronic devices that can indirectly measure wind speed based on how fast a heated wire cools down over time due to air flow. These sensors are ideal for sUAVs as they are extremely lightweight (~ 1 g) and inexpensive (<200 USD).

The researchers tested their approach in the lab as well as on the field. In the laboratory experiments, they flew a small quadcopter drone equipped with a thermal anemometer in front of large fans. Using smoke machines, high-speed cameras, lasers, and image analysis software, they analyzed how the air flow was disturbed by the drone as it ascended. Using these data, they created a bias correction algorithm, which enabled the drone to make more accurate wind speed measurements.

For the field experiments, the team flew their drone over the ice-covered Okhotsk Sea while aboard the Japanese Patrol Vessel Soya to make wind speed measurements. Upon comparing the data gathered by their drone with that from an ultrasonic anemometer on the ship, the team found them to be in agreement, suggesting that the drone’s measurements were highly reliable. “The root-mean-square error was ±1.13 m/s, suggesting that the proposed correction method was accurate and well within the requirement for numerical weather predictions,” remarks Dr. Inoue.

Overall, this alternative approach to wind profiling is definitely promising on various fronts. To top it off, the researchers also proposed two additional techniques that could be pursued in future works: calculating both wind direction and speed using two thermal anemometers and transferring the gathered data in real time.

Wind speed measurements are not just relevant for climate science and weather forecasting. The drones themselves can benefit from knowing the wind conditions they are flying in as it enables them to stabilize their flight better. “The flight style of drones has changed from flying within the operator’s visual line of sight to flying beyond the visual line of sight. This is because they are now routinely used for long-range delivery and surveys of disasters and forest fires,” highlights Dr. Sato. “Once we can monitor the wind conditions in all kinds of drones in real time, operators will be able to focus more on their task without having to worry about the drone’s stability and safety,” he concludes.

Let us hope this study brings positive winds of change to meteorology and flying drones alike!

Patterns of these invertible domes on a drone’s wings would give it a way to remember in microseconds what dangerous conditions feel like and react quickly. The study, conducted by researchers at Purdue University and the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, is among the first demonstrations of a metamaterial that uses its shape to learn how to adapt to its surroundings on its own. The paper is published in the journal Advanced Intelligent Systems.

Unlike humans and other living beings, autonomous vehicles lack ways to filter out information they don’t need, which slows their response time to changes in their environment.

“There’s this problem called ‘data drowning.’ Drones cannot use their full flight capability because there is just too much data to process from their sensors, which prevents them from flying safely in certain situations,” said Andres Arrieta, a Purdue associate professor of mechanical engineering with a courtesy appointment in aeronautical and astronautical engineering.

Dome-covered surfaces that can sense their surroundings would be a step toward enabling a drone’s wings to feel only the most necessary sensory information. Because it only takes a certain minimum amount of force to invert a dome, forces below this threshold are automatically filtered out. A specific combination of domes popped up and down at certain parts of the wing, for example, could indicate to the drone’s control system that the wing is experiencing a dangerous pressure pattern. Other dome patterns could signify dangerous temperatures or that an object is approaching, Arrieta said.

Arrays of domes on a drone wing may help it to detect information from its surroundings only when necessary. (Purdue University photo/Jared Pike)

Giving drones associative memory through feel

It may seem strange that an invertible dome could give memory cues to a drone wing for dangerous conditions, but humans and animals also use unrelated concepts to recognize relationships. This learning strategy is called associative memory. When you have forgotten the name of a place, for example, you might use a detail such as the color of a building to remember it. Recalling a partial version of the memory allows you to construct a much more complete version of that memory.

Arrieta’s lab investigates ways that an engineered material’s shape could help it to compute and process information. His lab frequently takes inspiration from how spiders and other animals use their anatomical shapes to sense and understand the world around them.

For decades, electronics have been designed to save and retrieve images by encoding information in patterns of black or white pixels as zeroes or ones. Because a dome can adopt only two states — popped up or popped down — these states can act like zeroes and ones to create spatial patterns for building associative memory.

Arrieta and his team showed in the study that when a certain level of force inverts a dome, sensors embedded into the flat part of a metamaterial sheet surrounding the dome detect the change in shape. An electrical signal then triggers a memory device called a memristor to make a record of the force and where it was detected on the sheet. With each instance of an inverted dome, the metamaterial learns to remember the pattern that a certain level of force creates on its surface.

In practice, a drone wing would be able to quickly recall a pattern associated with a dangerous condition because the metamaterial keeps a record of all its “partial memories” from inverted dome patterns as a single “complete memory” that these patterns create altogether. Based on this study, the researchers believe that the metamaterial wouldn’t need to “buffer” to recall information that it stores within itself over time.

Since the metamaterial can be manufactured with existing methods, these domes can easily cover a large surface area like a drone’s wing, Arrieta said. Next, the researchers will test how the material responds to its surroundings based on information it learns from the domes. Arrieta anticipates that it will be possible to build a drone wing using this material design in the next three to five years.

This research is supported by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, National Science Foundation and Indiana Space Grant Consortium.

Montreux, Switzerland – TOPODRONE, a Swiss based designer and manufacturer of high-precision LiDAR equipment for installation on drones, vehicles and backpacks, launches AQUAMAPPER, a UAV-based solution for bathymetric surveying and marine construction. The new multitasking data collecting device and TOPODRONE LiDAR ULTRA equipment have been successfully used together for airborne surveying at a highway construction project in Romania, EU to deliver a full digital twin of a studied area.

AQUAMAPPER is a brand new hardware developed in-house by TOPODRONE and contributes to a complete set of photogrammetry, LiDAR and bathymetry surveying solutions. This new product mounted on a UAV provides a combination of high speed efficiency (up to 14 km/h) and accuracy. It is a PPK ready solution, compatible with DJI Matrice 300 RTK. The application areas include but are not limited to an open sea bathymetric survey up to 100m depth, quantity survey and calculation of sediments, periodic maintenance survey of storage pools.

Virtual Surveyor has unveiled newly developed Auto-Flip Edges functionality that generates more accurate terrain surfaces from drone survey data. This innovative triangulation process is included in Version 8.7 of the popular Virtual Surveyor software package, along with upgrades in overall ease of use. 

Virtual Surveyor is a robust surveying software that bridges the gap between drone photogrammetric processing applications and engineering design packages, enabling surveyors to derive topographic information from drone data needed by engineers for construction, mining, and excavation projects. The software combines drone orthophotos, digital surface models (DSMs), and/or LiDAR point clouds to create an interactive virtual environment where users generate CAD models, create cut-and-fill maps and calculations, or calculate volume reports.

The new Auto-Flip Edges algorithm is a significant improvement on the traditional method of generating triangular irregular networks (TINs) from elevation points extracted from drone surveys. The new process uses the same elevation points, but it also leverages terrain information between the points to optimize the placement of triangles by automatically flipping edges when needed. This results in a TIN that represents the actual terrain surface more accurately than traditional triangulation.

“Auto-Flip Edges enables Virtual Surveyor users to generate more meaningful and accurate CAD models from either drone imagery or LiDAR point clouds,” said Tom Op ‘t Eyndt, Virtual Surveyor CEO. “More accurate terrain surfaces will benefit surveyors working in any 3D mapping project, especially where soil volumes are important, such as excavation, construction, surface mining, and landfills.”

Virtual Surveyor found its new triangulation method generates a terrain match that is more accurate than traditional TIN creation methods. Even though the same elevation points are used, the accuracy of the created CAD model is enhanced because the Virtual Surveyor algorithm creates the triangles in a more precise representation of the topography.

This new technique also highlights the advantage of drone surveying over field surveys with GPS equipment or total stations, Op ‘t Eyndt explained, because field data sets do not contain the information between the elevation points making it impossible to find a better TIN edge fit than traditional TIN creation tools.

 Virtual Surveyor will be demonstrating Version 8.7 at DJI AirWorks 2022 being held Oct. 10-12 in Las Vegas and at InterGEO 2022 on October 18-20 in Essen, Germany.

 “Version 8.7 includes several other new enhancements designed for improved ease of use and a better overall user experience,” said Op ‘t Eyndt.

 These features include the following: 

• Faster File Navigation – The addition of a Search Box and Scroll Bar, and Favorites Star enable users to find specific files and directories more quickly and then mark them for repeated fast access.
• Simplify Tool – Users can now reduce the number of vertices in their 2D lines, such as contours and their 3D boundaries. This deletes extraneous vertex points for easier handling of the CAD model.
• Material Editor – Stockpile reports are easier to read thanks to new Materials editing functionality, most notably the removal of fill colors so the material inside a stockpile is still visible while the colorized border remains.
• Graticule Lens – To facilitate eyeball measurement of distances in projects, users can overlay a grid with measurements of their choosing, i.e., 10×10 meters, 50×50 meters, etc.
• Two Factor Authentication – To improve security, Virtual Surveyor now includes an enhanced identification protocol for the user to access the software.

Current subscribers to Virtual Surveyor will see their software updated to Version 8.7 automatically. To start a free 14-day trial of Virtual Surveyor and to view details of the Valley, Ridge, and Peak pricing plans, visit www.virtual-surveyor.com.

 About Virtual Surveyor

Virtual Surveyor software enables professional surveyors to generate accurate topographic end products from drone imagery five times faster than traditional field work. Now used in 83 countries, Virtual Surveyor allows surveyors to create topographic information from drone data in very short timeframes. In a typical application, the suite takes the orthophotos and digital surface models (DSM) extracted from UAV imagery with photogrammetric software and generates an interactive virtual environment onscreen where surveyors can select the survey points and breaklines that define topography. Standard topographic outputs from the Virtual Surveyor software are Surfaces or TINs (Triangular Irregular Network), Contours, Line Surveys, Stockpile Reports and Cut-and-Fill Maps. As such, Virtual Surveyor bridges the gap between UAV photogrammetric processing software and engineering design packages.

Making its European debut, LP360 and the all-new TrueView 655/660 will be exhibiting at Intergeo 2022, Europe’s largest geospatial conference. The TrueView 655/660 is GeoCue’s third generation RIEGL integration built with the miniVUX-3UAV and triple mapping cameras (right, left, nadir) for high accuracy mapping with excellent vegetation penetration and wire detection in a lightweight payload package. GeoCue is owned by mdGroup, and is a sister company to Microdrones.

TrueView 3D Imaging Systems are known for their dual oblique cameras that help maximize mapping and coverage. The new TrueView 655/660 adds a third Nadir camera, allowing for imagery directly below the sensor to be captured.

Frank Darmayan, CEO of GeoCue explains the added coverage of the third camera. “With our newly released 655/660 the third RGB nadir camera provides a direct view of the ground below. This maximizes data collection for time flown, while improving the quality of photogrammetry and colorized point clouds our customers can provide.

LP360, an advanced geospatial data processing software, is also now available for European GIS professionals to post-process raw geospatial data into 3D colorized point clouds. LP360 has been updated and now offers two product lines, for all of your LiDAR and photogrammetry data processing needs.

For drone users, LP360 Drone is the core product for drone geospatial data workflow. It can transform LiDAR and imagery data into survey grade deliverables including: visualization, quality checks, classification, 3D editing, and analysis capabilities.

For larger dataset users, LP360 Geospatial  can process captured LiDAR data or images from any aircraft or mobile sensor of your choice and analyze and extract value for large LiDAR datasets.

Vivien Heriard Dubreuil, CEO of GeoCue parent company mdGroup, knows that having the right software is key to getting the most out of your LiDAR data. “We are excited to bring LP360 to Europe. This software brings many additional features and resources for our users to produce the right deliverables without having to use any secondary processing software. We’ll be demonstrating the workflow and geospatial tools available in LP360 at our Intergeo booth. We look forward to users of ALL survey equipment, including the DJI L1 to visit us with their system-specific questions and challenges. We are confident our software can help improve their deliverables.”

GeoCue will be exhibiting the new TrueView 655/660 at booth F3.128 in Hall 3, near the Hall 2 entrance and LP360 demonstrations will take place at booth A3.017 in Hall 3, near the West entrance at Intergeo 2022, in Essen Germany.

For those who can’t attend Intergeo, a 2-day LP360 training course will take place in Siegen, Germany, November 9-10. The course will cover a broad range of LiDAR mapping workflows and help you become more efficient with LP360 software and drone mapping tools as well as industry best practices and procedures. Register online.

About GeoCue

GeoCue is a U.S. LiDAR data technology company offering software, hardware, training, support, and consulting services for high accuracy LiDAR and imaging drone mapping to help civil engineering and surveying professionals achieve successful data collection, processing, and management.

With its TrueView drone LiDAR/Imaging sensors and LP360 point cloud data processing software, GeoCue is the leader in LiDAR mapping processing in North America.

To learn more about GeoCue, visit www.geocue.com

About mdGroup

 mdGroup is an aerial digital twin maker for industrial applications. It operates its digital twin making business through its portfolio companies Microdrones and GeoCue.

To learn more about mdGroup, visit www.group-md.com

Among the first adopters of drones for commercial usage, the AEC industry is often also among the first to embrace its new technological developments.  From a data capture and mapping perspective, drones are an easily deployed and cheap alternative to traditional methods, making them invaluable tools to each stage of the construction process.

One of the companies responsible for these new developments in drone usage is DroneUp, an innovator in drone flight services.  DroneUp was founded in 2016 with a focus primarily in drone delivery and providing flight services.  Brian Young, Director of Enterprise Solutions for DroneUp, believes that–as the only drone service provider that combines airspace awareness, flight services, and drone delivery–DroneUp is uniquely positioned to continue improving the AEC industry through these three divisions.  The company’s ability to provide intelligent access to airspace through things like knowledge of FAA regulations and an automated drone solution helps their customers streamline project management and construction.  According to Young, the construction industry in particular can benefit from this depth of ability through lifecycle management and overall process management.  

Young notes that, from a lifecycle approach, DroneUp’s services are applicable through each stage of development in a construction project.  In the preconstruction and design phase, processes such as topographic mapping and land surveys are essential first steps, helping projects determine whether the chosen terrain is suitable for the building design and layout.  Additionally, this preconstruction mapping and surveying is essential for determining environmental concerns about the project.  When compared to traditional surveying and mapping processes, Young says deploying drones reduces the associated time, money, and paperwork that would otherwise be present.  

During the next phase of the construction process, after the plans and design have been approved workers and resources will be deployed on site.  In this regard, drone mapping can be used to improve worker safety and perform volumetric measurements.  Young notes that this area mapping allows for a 360º view of the project site, which means that potential hazardous situations can be identified and mitigated before becoming serious issues. Also during the second phase of construction, drones are capable of making cut-pile analysis possible through accurate volumetric measurements.  Drones deployed over the job site to gather sufficient data to provide workers with exact measurements on how much soil there is and how much needs to be removed, which drastically improves the efficiency of this second phase of the construction process.  According to Young, drones are also becoming essential in asset and equipment tracking.  Representing such a large portion of investment on a construction project, the ability to track equipment and make its usage more efficient represents a huge potential return on investment for the project.  DroneUp’s products are designed with artificial intelligence that helps optimize the deployment of these assets by tracking their movement over the course of a project.  This means that any assets that are being underutilized can be shifted elsewhere, thereby increasing the return on investment for rented or leased equipment.

Still further, as projects move through this second phase of construction, drones are deployed in the comparisons between the design and plan.  Young says that the ability to measure progress by comparing the original CAD design to where the project is at the current moment–using the original CAD drawings overlaid on an orthomosaic map– is essential to identifying deviations from the plan so the corrective actions can be implemented.  For any project, the ability to create a clear and efficient timeline of information that validates tasks is a basic pathway to maximizing return on investment and minimizing the project’s timeline.  Young believes that this is where DroneUp truly makes a difference in the construction process.  

However, drones have yet more to offer after the construction process is complete.  Drones have become used increasingly to monitor structures, which provides accurate data about the structure while also removing the need for workers to directly access potentially hazardous areas that need attention.  Still further, Young points out that drones capture a unique perspective of the built environment, making it an easy way to promote structures and document different angles that couldn’t otherwise be captured.

During every stage of a project’s development–from the first stages of planning and design to maintenance and documentation on the completed structure–drones provide a perspective that is increasing return on investment and decreasing construction times, pairing that perspective with the ability to capture and document data.  This is supported by new developments in supporting technologies for drones that help us capture better data and use it in new and innovative ways.  This vision of the future for the construction industry is being spearheaded by companies like DroneUp, and, as their vision is increasingly adopted throughout the AEC industry, the construction process will undoubtedly change for the better in terms of worker safety, increasing return on investment, and decreasing project delays.

Luke Carothers is the Editor for Civil + Structural Engineer Media. If you want us to cover your project or want to feature your own article, he can be reached at lcarothers@zweiggroup.com.  

“Autel produces excellent RTK drones with the accuracy that surveyors need, and adding them to Carlson’s strong lineup of tools for land development professionals really helps complete the solution that we can provide for our customers,” says Derek Roché, Carlson Regional Manager. “We can take you through the entire project lifecycle from setting your ground control points with a BRx7 GNSS receiver and RT4 data collector with SurvPC field software to the actual drone flight to the photo processing on your computer or in the cloud, all the way through to processing that data, creating linework, surfaces, and finished plans in CAD with our powerful, industry-standard office software.”

The Autel EVO II Pro RTK UAS

Carlson’s tools for UAS professionals include Carlson PhotoCapture, a standalone or cloud-based photogrammetry software to create point clouds, orthoimages, surfaces, and more from drone photo data; Carlson Point Cloud office software which provides powerful tools such as bare-earth and automated feature extraction for point clouds, Carlson’s suite of CAD office software, such as the industry-standard Carlson Survey program to create finished CAD files and plans, and the Carlson BRx7 GNSS receiver, which can be used both to accurately place ground control points and as a base to provide corrections to an Autel EVO II Pro RTK drone through Carlson’s Listen-Listen network.

“The workflow capabilities Carlson already has in place present an excellent choice for land development professionals, and now with the addition of the Autel EVO II series to handle the aerial data collection, we’re proud to offer the most comprehensive option in the industry today.”

In 2015, Autel Robotics released its first-generation UAS product: the X-STAR. The success of the X-STAR and the subsequent EVO II series allowed Autel Robotics to quickly build a reputation in US markets. With the introduction of the EVO II series and platform in 2020, Autel Robotics will push its folding UAS to new heights in performance and application.

Carlson specializes in land surveying, construction, engineering, mining, machine control, and CSI solutions for professionals worldwide. In business since 1983, Carlson’s approach has always been to provide their customers with the most efficient, specialized, and powerful tools possible, backed by the best free, unlimited support in the industry.

The construction industry faces a variety of challenges including shortage of skilled workers, safety and productivity. Civ Robotics addresses these challenges with CivDot, a new autonomous surveying solution that empowers efficiency, productivity and safety on the job. CivDot is an unmanned ground vehicle (UGV) designed for civil engineering and infrastructure projects such as solar farms, roadways, data centers, power plants and more. Augmenting the surveyors work, CivDot marks thousands of coordinates per day precisely and efficiently, while delivering layouts faster than traditional methods.

“We are focused on investing in companies that are seeking to address important challenges in markets that align with Trimble’s mission of transforming the way the world works. Civ Robotics technology supports surveyors and field workers and helps remove the burden of repetitive and risky work,” said Aviad Almagor, vice president, technology innovation at Trimble and technology advisor for Trimble Ventures. “Civ Robotics uses Trimble’s high-precision GNSS positioning technology and surveying software to improve productivity and increase safety. This is an exciting opportunity to help accelerate innovation in autonomy, surveying and construction.”

“Trimble and our vision are in lockstep towards construction automation with a sharp focus on the highest standards of safety and quality,” said Tom Yeshurun, co-founder and CEO, Civ Robotics, which announced its $5 million seed funding round this morning. “Through Trimble’s latest GNSS technology in our autonomous surveying products, our customers can benefit from an end-to-end workflow.”

Civ Robotics will be showcased during the Trimble Dimensions+ User Conference held November 7-9 in Las Vegas.

About Civ Robotics

Civ Robotics is an autonomous surveying solution for civil engineering and infrastructure projects. The company’s flagship product, CivDot, is an unmanned ground vehicle (UGV) which marks thousands of coordinates per day precisely and efficiently for large construction projects, while empowering workforces faced with labor shortages and subsequent delays. Through the press of a button and in a fraction of the time, Civ Robotics autonomous systems are revolutionizing projects, including solar farms, roadways, data centers, power plants, industrial development and large infrastructure. Learn more at: www.civrobotics.com.

About Trimble Ventures

Launched in 2021, Trimble Ventures is a corporate venture capital fund focused on investing in early and growth-stage companies that align with Trimble’s mission of transforming work in the agriculture, construction, geospatial and transportation industries. The fund deploys strategic capital to accelerate the growth of innovative companies and partners that complement Trimble’s products, technology platforms and support its customer’s work. Trimble Ventures targets investing in companies with technologies and solutions related to hardware and software applications; artificial intelligence; augmented, virtual and mixed reality; autonomy and robotics; blockchain; the Internet of Things (IoT) and analytics; and sustainability.

For more information on Trimble Ventures, visit:  ventures.trimble.com.

About Trimble

Trimble is an industrial technology company transforming the way the world works by delivering solutions that enable our customers to thrive. Core technologies in positioning, modeling, connectivity and data analytics connect the digital and physical worlds to improve productivity, quality, safety, transparency and sustainability. From purpose-built products to enterprise lifecycle solutions, Trimble is transforming industries such as agriculture, construction, geospatial and transportation. For more information about Trimble (NASDAQ: TRMB), visit:  www.trimble.com.

MILWAUKEE – Known for using its state of the art technology to produce highly accurate, cost-effective building documentation, TechRender LLC has launched a service and two add-on solutions tailored for the architectural historic preservation and restoration industry.

HP Jumpstart Service: This cost-effective “pre-construction” service uses 3D LIDAR scanning equipment, 3D CAD modeling and proprietary software to remove barriers like missing, incomplete or out of date building plans and time consuming manual field measurements. Digitize basic as-built documentation to jumpstart every historic project with confidence.

• Add-On: Complete Building Documentation Sets: All services included in the HP Jumpstart package, plus point cloud data will be converted into 2D drawing sets for historic preservation submissions, regulatory review and plan development.

• Add-On: BIM/Revit Modeling: All services included in the HP Jumpstart package, plus point cloud data will be converted into 2D drawing sets for historic preservation submissions, regulatory review and plan development.

“Our services offer the advantage of designing around actual building conditions,” said Dan Wilhelms, President of TechRender. “TechRender has developed a niche in digitization of historic buildings that drastically reduces expensive field changes and makes the historic preservation process simple and worry-free.”

TechRender’s Historic Preservation Services offer a tangible starting point for project fundraising, 3D visual graphics for marketing and accurate measurements for project scoping, as well as data required for regulatory approvals, tax credit applications, Historic American Buildings Survey (HABS) measured drawings, Historic Structure Reports (HSRs), deterioration monitoring, condition assessments, adaptive reuse designs, Certificates of Appropriateness and more.

“Our technology is much faster than traditional methods, safer and accurate to the millimeter,” said Vince Scalici, Director of Operations for TechRender. “With our technology, we can deliver high-quality documentation sets from field data in just a few days.”

Contact info@techrender.com to learn more about how TechRender’s new Historic Preservation Services can provide fast, affordable and accurate building measurements and documentation.

About TechRENDER

Affordable, fast and dependable, TechRender provides field 3D laser scanning, drone photogrammetry and building documentation services across industries and structures. TechRender’s technology utilizes state-of-the-art 3D LIDAR scanning equipment, 3D CAD modeling and proprietary software to produce building documentation with accuracy down to the millimeter. Headquartered in Milwaukee and serving clients nationwide, get your project started off right today at TechRENDER.com. Follow us on social media at facebook.com/TechRenderLLC and linkedin.com/company/techrender.

LiDAR PRIME is TOPODRONE’s most advanced lidar system, with a working range up to 300 meters covering a 500-meter corridor width and more than 20 km2 per flight with the aOrion helicopter. LiDAR PRIME + aOrion Heli-E system is enabled by the Alpha Prime sensor, Velodyne’s world-class, long-range lidar sensor. ‘The system provides users the opportunity to capture tens of kilometers of power lines, dozens or even hundreds of square kilometers of a surveying area when a manual inspection, piloted helicopter or a multicopter bring too much risk, high expenses, or can not meet the challenge’, Maxim Baklykov, CEO at TOPODRONE, explains.

Velodyne’s lidar provides TOPODRONE the outstanding quality, working range and capabilities for mapping solutions. The partnership with Velodyne has helped TOPODRONE to substantially increase the number of products for the surveying and mapping markets. TOPODRONE’s coming models based on Velodyne’s sensors can continue to help provide game-changing technology for the market over the next year.

About TOPODRONE

TOPODRONE (topodrone.com) is a Swiss based designer and manufacturer of high-precision lidar equipment for installation on drones, vehicles and backpacks. TOPODRONE’s lidar solutions are used for mapping and 3D modeling as well as forest and agricultural monitoring. Their advanced post-processing software provides users with easy-to-use innovative data processing workflows for automatic data generation, georeferencing and alignment using GNSS and IMU data post processing, and SLAM algorithms.

About Velodyne Lidar

Velodyne Lidar (Nasdaq: VLDR, VLDRW) ushered in a new era of autonomous technology with the invention of real-time surround view lidar sensors. Velodyne, a global leader in lidar, is known for its broad portfolio of breakthrough lidar technologies. Velodyne’s revolutionary sensor and software solutions provide flexibility, quality and performance to meet the needs of a wide range of industries, including robotics, industrial, intelligent infrastructure, autonomous vehicles and advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS). Through continuous innovation, Velodyne strives to transform lives and communities by advancing safer mobility for all.

LiquidPiston, Inc., the leading innovator of efficient engine technology and hybrid power systems, today announced a $1.7 million Phase II award from the U.S Army to continue the development of the company’s Hybrid Electric X-Engine^TM (HEXE) propulsion system. The Phase II award is a result of successful completion of a Phase I xTechSearch Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) award previously announced. LiquidPiston’s HEXE propulsion system, prototyped and demonstrated at the end of Phase 1, will deliver fuel-efficient power as well as advanced take-off and inflight capabilities to meet the Army’s Future Tactical Unmanned Aircraft System (FTUAS) Vertical Take-Off and Landing (VTOL) goals, including compatibility with military-grade heavy fuels such as JP8. The hybrid system changes the concept of operation, allowing quiet, electric-only cruise in addition to electric-assist sprint and climb modes.

“Reliable and efficient sources of power and energy for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR), weapons systems, forward operating bases, and other solutions are critical to protecting the warfighter, enhancing warfighting capability, improving fuel efficiency, and reducing logistical burden and operational costs,” said Alec Shkolnik, Founder and CEO of LiquidPiston. “Unfortunately, the domestic industrial base for aerospace-grade, highly efficient engine systems is struggling. Today’s diesel engines are too big and heavy to be used in UAVs, and many UAV engines are sourced internationally. LiquidPiston is primed to address these challenges for the DoD and for broader mobility applications with greater power to weight requirements.”

LiquidPiston’s X-Engine^TM utilizes the breakthrough thermodynamic concepts of the company’s patented High-Efficiency Hybrid Cycle^TM (HEHC) in a totally re-imagined compact rotary engine architecture that overcomes the limitations of the traditional Wankel rotary engine. The result is a purpose-designed power source for a hybrid-electric propulsion platform where portability, efficiency, low maintenance and jet fuel compatibility all work to overcome current range and payload shortcomings. In particular, the X-Engine propulsion system can toggle power between all-electric, engine-only, or a combination of both – all on demand – while being able to restart the engine in-air on jet fuel. The system recharges batteries in flight, so that the batteries can be sized to provide power vertical takeoff and landing as well as up to 30 minutes of quiet (electric) cruise. The HEXE VTOL system allows the Army to launch and land in small areas, and set up and stow quickly. Additionally, by combining electric and engine power on the main propeller shaft, the system achieves increased flight velocity (electric-assist “sprint”) and climb rates as well as optimized hybrid-electric range.

LiquidPiston CEO Alec Shkolnik will present on the Hybrid Electric Rotary X-Engine at the Turbine Engine Technology Symposium 2022 (TETS) in Dayton, OH as part of the Innovative Propulsion Concepts Session at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, September 15th.

“One of the Army’s major areas of focus for modernization is Future Vertical Lift (FVL)” said Zeke Topolosky, Strategic Partnerships Office, U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command Army Research Laboratory. “Over the past few years, Army xTech judging panels have repeatedly recognized LiquidPiston’s technological developments in holding great promise for supporting critical Army requirements for FVL modernization. We are pleased to see their efforts advance with this Army Phase II SBIR program.”

LiquidPiston has over 70 patents related to thermodynamics and advanced engine design that will enable a new family of engines and generators that are lightweight, compact, highly efficient and portable. This Phase II contract builds on more than 10 years of R&D with DARPA, the Army, and industry leaders to improve the maturity of the X-Engine technology.

Daytona Beach, FL – A first-of-its-kind leasing option is now available for the Sentaero line of UAVs and much more. Following its recent Series A Funding Round closure for $8.3 million, Censys Technologies Corporation announces its new product leasing options. Censys, a trailblazer in the commercial beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) unmanned aerial systems (UAS) industry, offers a one-of-a-kind remote sensing package to revolutionize the way aerial information is collected for infrastructure, agriculture, public safety, and more, by bringing together the best software and hardware solutions in the world of airborne intelligence.

Thanks, in part, to the additional funding money, Censys added to its business offerings, now providing lease options for all its products and services. The lease term can be anywhere from two to five years, provides access to big-value equipment at low costs, and ensures all products are new and not outdated.

“The commercial drone industry is evolving very quickly, with new models, capabilities, payloads, software, and more coming online constantly,” said Censys Technologies CEO and Co-Founder Trevor Perrott. “We knew we needed to provide customers a way to stay on top of the updates with their equipment, without having to sink a lot of money into it. This leasing option is the perfect solution to do just that.”

The new leasing options are customizable and start under $1,000 a month. There is also no down payment required. Contact Kyle Miller at millerkyle@censystech.com for more information.

About Censys Technologies:

Censys Technologies Corporation builds remote sensing solutions for UAS service providers, enterprise organizations and government entities. This includes the Sentaero family of products – which is the UAV performance and value leader in the fields of agriculture, infrastructure monitoring, disaster relief and public safety. Created by three Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University graduates, Trevor Perrott, Payal Chaudhari and John Lobdell, in 2017, Censys Technologies’ priority is centered on understanding customer needs and delivering technology and products that will perform and grow their business – bringing intelligence to business from beyond the horizon.

censystech.com

Over the past year, a new technology product category has emerged that’s cultivating a growing interest among UAV professionals. It’s flying imaging laser scanners that go beyond traditional UAVs for reality capture.

Laser scanning has always been critical for designing and building structures, cities and environments. Yet capturing hard-to-reach places was difficult and the best solution to date has been to rely on drones. However, traditional mapping UAVs are limited in that they often take a top-down perspective while scanning or doing photogrammetry. This limits their ability to accommodate projects that vary in size and scope, or variables including vegetation, cables, and pipes. This results in scans that contain shadows, incomplete textures, or missing details. Also, as the scans create massive amounts of data, transferring and processing the information from a UAV can be tricky 

Going beyond traditional drone platforms carrying cameras or laser scanners, the new category of fully integrated flying reality capture systems offers a faster, more streamlined way to build digital twins from the sky. Using both cameras and LiDAR simultaneously while flying, they quickly and accurately capture the exterior features and dimensions of buildings, structures, rooftops, facades, and other environments that would otherwise be dangerous or inaccessible for humans. They can also make the scan data immediately available via storage in the cloud, which reduces the risk of human error in data transfer.

Designed for Reality Capture

With traditional UAV solutions, the design is led by the necessary features required to support flying. Using a UAV for reality capture often requires a bolt on sensor that’s externally attached as well as a separate remote control device. This creates a larger system and complications when it comes to maneuvering the UAV for reality capture. In flying laser scanners, the design is driven by reality capture, which is built into the system yet also has a completely integrated flight system. True to reality capture, flying laser scanners provide a preview of a live point cloud so the user can see what’s been scanned. This saves time by being able to make adjustments on the fly as opposed to discovering issues after leaving the site.

The combination of live reality capture, data and flight control with obstacle avoidance provides autonomous navigation and scanning. Efficiency gains are realized through autonomous scanning in complex environments, a faster capture process and a comprehensive workflow that can support datasets from other sources.

Still, flying laser scanners aren’t a replacement for traditional mapping UAVs. In some instances, it makes sense to use a mapping UAV over a flying laser scanner. For example, if the area is simple, flat and can be scanned from the top down without the risk of scan shadows, traditional UAVs equipped with photogrammetry or laser profilers are more efficient. Also, if the scanning is expected to require a long flight time and the area is not complex. Additionally, if it requires high resolution photos or textures of the object such as a detailed visual inspection, a flying laser scanner is not the right product for the job. 

Examples where a UAV is ideal include scanning an open-pit mine to create a 3D model, capturing the surface model of a landscape, or scanning a dam or a powerline mast for visual inspection.

Where Flying Laser Scanners are Being Used

Professionals in architecture/engineering/construction (AEC), Building Information Modeling (BIM), and UAV mapping and surveying are adding flying laser scanners to their workflows. Additionally, there is an increased use among professionals in media and entertainment responsible for location scouting, set design, and construction, and creating virtual realities. Flying laser scanners are picking up where there is a great need for a clear view of geometrical configurations that require 3D views.

While flying laser scanners are different from more traditional mapping UAVs, they do require a drone pilot license. In some instances, the owner may be required to register the device and get permission for each mission. 

That said, flying imaging laser scanners with obstacle avoidance have the potential to usher in the next generation of flight safety technology, making them an attractive option for drone pilots regardless of their level of experience with flying UAVs. They also save time and resources previously allocated to accurately capture hard-to-reach or dangerous areas. Cost savings span staffing, investments in alternative technologies, and potential insurance and safety risks. 

Overall, these machines represent an exciting new frontier for agile aerial reality capture. 

Daytona Beach, FL – Censys Technologies Corporation is bringing LiDAR to its list of universal payload options. Censys, a trailblazer in the commercial beyond visual line of site (BVLOS) unmanned aerial systems (UAS) industry, offers a one-of-a-kind remote sensing package to revolutionize the way aerial information is collected for infrastructure, agriculture, public safety and more, by bringing together the best software and hardware solutions in the world of airborne intelligence. Now, it is integrating LiDAR into its Sentaero family of fixed-wing vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) aircraft capable BVLOS.

LiDAR – Light Detection and Ranging – is a remote sensor camera payload that uses pulsed laser light for 3D mapping. The LiDAR measures the time it takes that reflected laser light to return to the receiver after bouncing from the ground and measures the intensity of the pulses to provide readings of the terrain and points on the ground. This technology is especially useful for land surveying, power line inspection, topographic surveys, forestry and wildfire mitigation, precision agriculture, and mining.

“In a fixed-wing VTOL with a history of BVLOS approvals, this is a huge addition to the Sentaero line,” said Censys Technologies CEO and Co-Founder Trevor Perrott. “We’ve been working hard to integrate LiDAR over the past year to fill customer needs, and now operators who had been chained to quadcopters have a new option to do more.”

In a single flight, fixed-wing drones carrying a LiDAR payload have a system precision of 2.5 centimeters and system accuracy of 3 centimeters at 100 meters above ground level (AGL).

Censys anticipates deliveries of the LiDAR payloads to customers in August 2022.

About Censys Technologies:

Censys Technologies Corporation builds remote sensing solutions for UAS service providers, enterprise organizations and government entities. This includes the Sentaero family of products – which is the UAV performance and value leader in the fields of agriculture, infrastructure monitoring, disaster relief and public safety. Created by three Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University graduates, Trevor Perrott, Payal Chaudhari and John Lobdell, in 2017, Censys Technologies’ priority is centered on understanding customer needs and delivering technology and products that will perform and grow their business – bringing intelligence to business from beyond the horizon.

censystech.com

Detroit, Mich. and Arlington, Texas – (August 9, 2022) – Derq, an award-winning MIT spin-off and leading provider of real-time artificial intelligence (AI) analytics solutions for connected roads and vehicles, has partnered with Paradigm Traffic Systems, a leading distributor in traffic and Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) solutions. The partnership will bring together Derq’s cutting-edge technologies with Paradigm’s strong market presence and long-standing customer relationships to enhance road safety and smart traffic infrastructure in the state of Texas.

BOSTON (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — In an AI-driven world, features rule; they determine AI models’ quality, velocity, and overall value. However, preparing, deploying, managing, and monitoring data that feeds AI models remains manual and time-consuming. Enter FeatureByte, an AI startup formed by a team of data science pioneers who today announced a $5.7M seed round led by Glasswing Ventures and Tola Capital. FeatureByte is a SaaS solution built specifically for data scientists to simplify the creation, serving, managing, and monitoring of machine learning features. The funding will be used to scale R&D and go-to-market operations.

Feature Engineering and Feature Management: The Weakest Link in Scaling AI

Features drive AI, helping shape the smart systems that improve how we manage our businesses, care for patients, harvest crops, light up our cities, enhance cybersecurity, and much more. The engineering and management of features is a critical yet complex, expensive, and slow process and remains the weakest link in scaling AI.

According to Gartner, due to the time, effort, and skill put into selecting and engineering features for ML (Machine Learning), they are some of the most highly curated and refined data assets in the business. Despite this, most organizations lack an effective feature management system.

“Glasswing Ventures is excited to lead FeatureByte’s first round of financing and to back such an exceptional founding team with unparalleled domain expertise and a proven record of delivering transformative data science products,” said Rudina Seseri, Founder and Managing Partner, Glasswing Ventures. “FeatureByte’s platform is solving a critical pain for data science and engineering teams and unlocking machine learning’s potential in the enterprise. We believe FeatureByte will become an enduring company in the AI landscape.”

FeatureByte was founded by the team that built the data science and engineering backbone for AI unicorn, DataRobot. FeatureByte’s Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Razi Raziuddin, helped scale DataRobot from 10 to 850 employees and pioneered the services-led go-to-market strategy that became the hallmark of DataRobot’s rapid growth. Xavier Conort, Co-Founder and Chief Product Officer of FeatureByte, was #1 ranked Kaggle Grandmaster and Chief Data Scientist at DataRobot, where he built a world-class R&D data science team responsible for the ideation and execution of the Data Science roadmap.

“Our team has successfully launched AI deployments for hundreds of organizations worldwide. However, the one constant challenge enterprises face is feature engineering and management. Xavier and I formed FeatureByte to radically simplify the process for data scientists and application developers,” said Razi Raziuddin, Co-Founder and CEO of FeatureByte. “The market is extremely fragmented, with siloed solutions addressing only pieces of the puzzle. We are developing a solution from first principles to address full cycle featuring engineering and are excited to partner with Glasswing Ventures and Tola Capital to drive this vision and mission forward.”

“We are excited to invest in the FeatureByte team as they look to democratize feature engineering and management,” said Akshay Bhushani, Partner, Tola Capital. “The company will help data scientists and developers execute world-class machine learning features at scale – simply and efficiently. For organizations, the result is accelerated innovation and AI development.”

About FeatureByte
FeatureByte’s data-centric AI solution radically simplifies feature engineering and feature management for data scientists, enabling organizations to achieve AI scale. FeatureByte solves the problems of various silos of work that can occur in domain knowledge, data science, and data engineering. For more information or to sign up for an invite-only beta program, contact info@featurebyte.com or visit https://featurebyte.com/.

About Glasswing Ventures
Glasswing Ventures is an early-stage venture capital firm dedicated to investing in the next generation of AI and frontier technology startups that enable the rise of the intelligent enterprise. The firm was founded by visionary partners with decades of experience in these markets, a disciplined investment approach, and a strong track record of industry-leading returns. Glasswing leverages its deep domain expertise and world-leading advisory councils to invest in exceptional founders who transform markets and revolutionize industries. Learn more at https://glasswing.vc/.

About Tola Capital
Founded in 2010 by ex-software operators, Tola Capital is a venture capital firm that believes in the power of software and data to transform businesses. We provide hands-on engagement to founders who see that future and are building solutions with the potential for long-term, transformational change. Tola Capital exclusively targets software companies with essential products for enterprise customers, led by exceptional and diverse talent. Tola Capital invests globally and across multiple stages to change how the world will work. For more information, visit https://www.tolacapital.com.

“We’ve seen a strong customer demand to automatize inspection and high-resolution mapping  jobs, especially for high-risk mission in urban or industrial environments. Together with Phase  One we’re now meeting this demand by offering industry leading high-resolution jobs with an unmatched efficient, accurate and automated inspection and a simplified integration process via  Phase One camera SDK.” Said David Adjiashvili, Co-founder at Drone Harmony 

“Phase One is well known in the UAV industry for our uncompromised image quality,  submillimeter details and ultra-high resolution. The Drone Harmony integration ensures that our  customers can get consistent results through flight path automatization and thereby creating a  critical enabler for scaling their UAV operations and increasing the productivity” said Michael Messersmith, Portfolio Director – Drones/UAVs 

3D Demo sets from an old concrete factory showcasing the planning, flying and processing data  with Phase One P3 and Drone Harmony, is available to view here:  

https://phaseone.ws/P3_building_inspection 

About Drone Harmony 

Drone Harmony is a leader in automation software for data acquisition workflows in the  commercial drone market. Its software solutions are based on a proprietary Full-3D Flight  Planning Engine enabling market-leading degrees of automation in flight plan generation, plan  visualization and flight execution, leading to safer and more efficient data acquisition. With its  software solution, Drone Harmony makes it possible to scale drone-based data capture  workflows from small PoCs to large enterprise-wide operations. Drone Harmony is a Swiss  company active globally.  

For more information visit: https://droneharmony.com/ 

Phase One 

Phase One–a pioneer of digital imaging sensors and airborne systems for the Geo market and  the largest provider of aerial cameras based on a long tradition for outstanding image quality  and reliable sensors. Founded in 1993, Phase One is a pioneer of digital photography. Phase  One has developed core imaging technologies and a range of digital cameras and imaging  modules, providing the world’s highest image quality in terms of resolution, dynamic range, color  fidelity and geometric accuracy. As such, Phase One has grown to become the leading provider 

of high-end imaging technology across many demanding business segments, such as aerial  mapping, industrial inspection and cultural heritage digitization, as well as serving the world’s  most demanding photographers.  

www.phaseone.com

As a health and safety requirement, routine internal pressure vessel inspections must be carried out at plants across the world but the process of closing down production, depressurising the vessel and transporting any fluids or liquids is extremely costly. 

In addition, these inspections in hazardous environments are currently carried out by humans and there is a high level of risk involved.

To combat these problems, a remotely controlled robot, Chimera, has been developed by a collaboration of companies across the UK for use across all industries, including oil and gas, nuclear and water.

Chimera is a machine which can withstand hazardous environments and is built in two components to allow a great deal of flexibility so it can climb internal vessel walls, and is attached to a tether to enable the machine to be controlled remotely by an operator from a safe distance.

The robot will have a camera attached to relay live images back to the operator and an ultrasonic phased array inspection system and LIDAR scanner will also be included to create a 3D map of the internal structure to paint an accurate picture of the state of the vessel and identify damage.

A slender ‘snake’ arm can also be attached to carry out any minor repairs needed in such a confined space.

Cumbrian engineering firm Forth has developed the robotic platform of the Chimera project and has successfully trialled the machine to prove that the concept model accurately carries out its functions.

Joshua Oakes, a Project Engineer at Forth, said: “Maintenance inspections need to be carried out routinely on pressure vessels the world over and the process of having to stop production and draining or transporting any fluid or gas is a long, and very expensive, one. On average, it can cost £40,000 per day to shut production down, and these inspections can go on for days.

“It also requires people to conduct the inspections and it can be hard getting in and out of the confined spaces, and very dangerous due to the substances which have previously been stored in the vessels.

“Chimera removes the human element from hazardous environments, and lets the work get carried out from a safe, remote distance.

“The job can also be completed in hours rather than days, with production not having to be stopped at all.”

The Chimera innovation will come equipped with four heavy duty magnets each with a pull of 116kg worth of weight so it can climb interior walls and ceilings.

The machine features a four-track drive and the operator will be able to steer each track individually to ensure it can be easily controlled.

The purpose of it being constructed in two separate parts is twofold: to allow for a greater deal of flexibility and to enable the machine to be dragged back should power be lost in the machine’s motors.

To reduce the risks of losing power, a water cooling system has been included on the machine to keep the electrics cool during use.

The team at Forth has proven the concept of Chimera with partners, and has successfully trialled a working model.

They are now looking to gain financial backers to progress the process of the innovation to the next stage, allowing the machine to be modified and adapted into a commercial piece of equipment.

The Innovate UK-backed programme has also been supported by The Welding Institute, Headlight AI, Sound Mathematics, the University of Nottingham, Rolls Royce, Metallisation and Race.

According to Fact.MR’s analysis, the industry has demonstrated credible gains in the past, where drones can be used as an excellent surveillance tool since they can locate clues and locate criminals in real-time. The extensive application within the logistics and military domains is said to be the most important catalyst for market growth in this sector. Agri-business is becoming more and more interested in drones for future structures.

Full Access of this Exclusive Report is Available at-  https://www.factmr.com/report/commercial-drones-market

Commercial drones are actively being deployed for military surveillance applications in countries like the U.S., in order to keep a check on criminal activity. The UAV or drone industry is reinventing old business models and generating new opportunities. As a potential alternative to traditional logistics methods within companies, commercial drones are expected to aid them in securing a competitive advantage through the optimization of their logistical processes.

Key Takeaways from Market Study

●       The global commercial drones market is currently valued at US$ 14.2 Billion, with a CAGR of 9.2% during the forecast period.

●       Multi-rotors are expected to acquire a lucrative market share of 10% CAGR during the forecast period.

●       Aerial photography applications are expected to reach a CAGR of 9.9% by the end of the forecast period.

●       The UK market growth is expected to reach a CAGR of 10.1% with a market value of US$ 598.5 Million at the end of the forecast period.

●       China will experience high growth due to surging demand for UAVs in the spawning rate

‘’The rapid improvement in battery technology and the continuous development of artificial intelligence will make drones a valuable tool at the forefront of new applications in the future,” says a Fact.MR analyst.

Competitive Landscape

Manufacturing collaboration helps manufacturers increase output and meet consumer demand, which increases profits and market share. The introduction of new products and technological innovations will enable end-users to take advantage of the products. Through strategic partnerships, the company can increase its capacity to produce.

●       Kitty Hawk, a producer of electric personal air vehicles, acquired 3D Robotics, a manufacturer of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and drones, in June 2021. Kitty Hawk will have Chris Anderson, co-founder of 3D Robotics, as its chief operating officer following the acquisition.

●       In March 2022, Sphere Drones, one of Australia’s leading manufacturers of aerial and sub-sea remote-controlled vehicles (ROV), has expanded following its acquisition of Rise Above Custom Drones and Robotics on 17 March. Sphere Drones would benefit from the acquisition by further diversifying in an ever-growing market. Sphere will continue expanding its commercial presence in an expanding market, while Rise Above will focus on providing training and education to newcomers in the field.

]]> 2061472 https://csengineermag.com/autonomous-trucking-pioneer-inceptio-technology-partners-with-ambarella-to-deliver-level-3-automated-driving-including-surround-camera-and-front-adas-perception-with-ai-compute/ Mon, 04 Jul 2022 17:00:49 +0000 https://live-cs-engineer-magazine.pantheonsite.io/?p=2061469 Inceptio Technology Selects Ambarella’s Edge AI SoCs for Multi-Camera Perception Processing in the Automotive-Grade Central Computing Platform

Santa Clara, Calif., –  LYT, a leader in intelligent connected traffic technology solutions, has announced that it has signed a partnership agreement with Coral Sales Company, a leading provider of highway safety products and intelligent transportation systems to the Pacific Northwest. The two companies will work to provide intelligent transportation solutions for commuters and emergency responders in some of the most heavily congested regions of the Pacific Northwest.

In many of the biggest U.S. cities today, the amount of time spent stuck in traffic congestion could be over 100 hours in a single year. Experts believe the average American now experiences congestion nearing pre-pandemic 2019 levels, when drivers lost 99 hours stuck in traffic.

Intelligent transportation systems (ITS) apply sensing, analysis, and communications technologies to ground transportation in order to improve safety, mobility, and efficiency. While this technology shows great promise, they are only as good as the platforms on which they run.

To fully realize the promise of ITS solutions from Coral Sales, transit agencies in the Northwest will be leveraging LYT’s Transit Signal Priority (TSP) solution, LYT.transit, to restore schedule reliability and on-time performance. LYT is a cloud-based software platform that uses state-of-the-art connected vehicle and machine learning technologies to prioritize the flow of vehicles in a city and across a corridor. By optimizing public transport, emergency and other vehicles it enables shorter travel times, less congestion, improved air-quality and more reliable mass transit.

In addition to relieving traffic congestion for motorists and mass transit vehicles, LYT’s Emergency Vehicle Preemption (EVP) solution, known as LYT.emergency, produces a consistent and reliable green light for every emergency vehicle more affordably than other products on the market. These solutions harness the power of a single secure edge device installed in Traffic Management Centers that enable emergency vehicles to speak directly to networked traffic signals in cities through the LYT.speed cloud platform.

“Our communities suffer from never-ending traffic congestion on a daily basis, and despite our municipalities spending billions of dollars to tackle the problem, traffic continues to get worse,” said Tim Menard, CEO and Founder of LYT. “We are excited about the shared vision and mission we have with Coral Sales, and our partnership together will help bring advanced transportation technologies and transit prioritization solutions that leverage cutting-edge artificial intelligence and machine learning data algorithms that can be implemented efficiently and affordably to reduce congestion and improve response times of our first responders, improving quality of life across each region.”

“The transportation industry is changing dramatically with the introduction of innovations in Intelligent Transportation Systems. This is an exciting time when our customers can leverage software solutions that assist in solving today’s mobility challenges. We are committed to helping our customers by connecting them with the best solutions to meet their needs,” stated Diane Grant, Owner and President of Coral Sales Company. “We are proud to be partnering with LYT to provide an innovative Smart Cities solution that is constantly learning how to efficiently move communities ahead. Increasing reliability and safety, improving response times and saving lives when every second counts.”

About Coral Sales Company

Established in 1979, Coral Sales Company, a second-generation family-owned business, is dedicated to serving our customers in the Northwest through excellent customer service and integrity. As the demands increase for mobility; our high quality solutions increase efficiency and safety to support our customers’ ever-changing transportation challenges. Coral Sales is based in Portland and serves customers in Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Montana and Alaska.

About LYT

LYT is an intelligent connected traffic technology provider that offers a cloud-based platform that orchestrates today’s Intelligent Transportation Systems. LYT’s AI-powered machine learning technology enables a suite of transit signal priority and emergency vehicle preemption solutions that utilize pre-existing vehicle tracking sensors and city communication networks to dynamically adjust the phase and timing of traffic signals to provide sufficient green clearance time while minimally impacting cross traffic. LYT is headquartered in Santa Clara, Calif. and serves municipalities across the US. Learn more at LYT.ai.

The 2022 Engineering Drone Video of the Year (EDVY) Competition is in its sixth year of existence, and, much like the drone/UAV industry and its technology, the competition looks vastly different than it did when it was imagined.  Different concepts of drones and other unpiloted systems have existed for centuries at this point, but our modern concept of these systems was developed and popularized in the general public through the military sector.  

By the 1980s, aerial photography had become ubiquitous in many industries thanks to developments in flight and photographic technology.  However, the military sector’s development of UAV and drone technology around this time would have a significant impact on the future of aerial mapping and photography.  It wasn’t until 2006 that drones and UAVs were deployed in civilian spaces.  Following the devastation of Hurricane Katrina, drones were used to survey the damage and search for trapped survivors.  

Around this time, the interest in drones for use in civilian sectors was beginning to grow, but the technology hadn’t yet made them practical for many uses.  For example, the drones used in the wake of Hurricane Katrina had to be manually launched and controlled using multiple trained crew to ensure its safe piloting and return.  Such a system was not feasible for many commercial uses, but the interest in the technology was strong enough that the commercial market continued to grow.  By 2010, drone technology had developed to where a drone could be safely controlled by an operator using a smartphone.  In addition, these new drones were much less cumbersome and relied on a quadcopter design for take off and control.

Some of the first adopters of drone technology were amatuer enthusiasts who viewed the burgeoning technology as a place of creative freedom.  Photographers, filmmakers, and artists saw drones as a way to view the world as it had never been seen before.  Soon other professionals began to pick drone flying as a hobby, and oftentimes, amatuer drone enthusiasts saw applications in their professional lives.

Just five years later in 2015, the drone/UAV market had grown immensely, and the technology had become common in many different industries.  In the AEC industry in particular, the need for drone/UAV technology was immediately evident, although adoption has not quite matched pace.  As the designers of the world around us, the AEC industry is responsible for large, complex endeavors that often have an immediate impact on people living in communities across the globe.  Drones provided a valuable and accessible point of view–checking and tracking the progression of a project, inspecting and detailing aspects of projects that would otherwise be dangerous for workers.  Other enthusiasts saw the potential for a new point of view and began deploying drones around buildings and structures–old, new, and under construction.

By the time Civil+Structural Engineer Media held the first EDVY competition in 2017, drones were beginning to catch on in the AEC industry.  Many of the entries, while excellent content, were produced with little to no budget.  In addition, these early videos were often produced outside of the firms, which made it harder to provide context that wasn’t visually evident.  Even with a lack of resources, these early EDVY videos managed to capture our audience’s attention, speaking to the power drones and UAVs have to attract people to our industry.  As the years and competitions progressed, more and more videos were being produced by the firms themselves, adding an element of production and context to the videos which had previously been inferred visually.  However, that spirit of individualism has never left the competition, and each year the field is driven by new innovations and risks taken by experienced drone operators.  The 2021 EDVY winner was a high school student who impressed our panel of judges so much that he was unanimously selected as the competition’s winner.

While each of this year’s top ten videos were produced by firms themselves, this shows the progress of the technology into the AEC industry.  That hunger for a new point of view pulled drones into the sphere of the AEC industry.  Now, this year’s entries into the EDVY competition demonstrate that the desire for a new point of view has not been extinguished, but, rather, it has been transformed into a tool that can both tell us more about the environment–built and natural–and draw new perspectives into the industry.

Luke Carothers is the Editor for Civil + Structural Engineer Media. If you want us to cover your project or want to feature your own article, he can be reached at lcarothers@zweiggroup.com.  

McCarthy Building Companies recently completed work on a $36 million Topgolf project in El Segundo, California.  McCarthy, a leading general contractor, completed this project thanks in large part to the use of drone mapping.  The project team utilized drone technology to capture the existing site for earthwork cut and fill analysis in reference to its final design grading model–ultimately enabling them to build out the site per the design plans.  The project site was large, encompassing 12 acres and a 3-story 60,000 square foot building, but many of the project’s time consuming processes were shortened using drone technology.

Although this isn’t the first project in which McCarthy’s team leveraged drone technology, it demonstrates how the technology has moved from a niche tool for specific tasks to a part of standard operations for the firm.  McCarthy began using drones in various capacities a few years ago, but they began being adopted as the standard around 2019.  Jared Miller, Director of Operations for McCarthy’s Mapping Group, says that this was part of a larger effort to standardize practices across the company.  McCarthy’s Mapping Group focuses on mitigating risk from subsurface utilities, and has recently expanded its capacities with drone-based lidar and photogrammetry.    According to Miller, prior to this push for standardization, individual pockets of the company had been developing innovative solutions using drone technology.  Recognizing the potential for the technology, the firm began implementing these practices on every project by using drones on the majority of their projects.

For many firms and project owners, the initial investment in drone technology can be steep.  The cost of purchasing a drone and training someone to fly it properly or even hiring a professional drone pilot can be in the tens of thousands of dollars.  Despite the initial investment necessary for deploying drones in this capacity, Nic Maroun notes that this is repaid several times over throughout the course of construction.  Maroun, a Senior MEP Project Engineer at McCarthy, speaks to the capacity of drone technology to produce things like drone-stitched models that are “invaluable” when creating plans and overlaying them with BIM models.  This allows the team to see both the real world overlaid with ideal utility mapping, allowing them to identify and mitigate potential problem areas.  

Now, drone technology is a part of the majority of McCarthy projects in some capacity.  Trevan Thompson, who worked on the El Segundo Topgolf project, says that drones have become a part of McCarthy’s standard of care.  For projects like the one in El Segundo, drones are instrumental in improving documentation, logistics, and cut/fill analysis among others.  Thompson, a Senior VDC Engineer with McCarthy, was responsible for BIM coordination with the MEP systems as well as conducting several drone flights for documentation, logistics, and planning on the Topgolf Project. Thompson points out that drones are especially useful for large area projects such as the one in El Segundo.   

Depending on where a project is located, different restrictions have to be taken into account to maximize the effectiveness of drone technology and prevent any delays.  In the United States, these restrictions are set by the FAA.  The project in El Segundo was partially limited in terms of the height at which the drones could fly due to its proximity to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX).  This was complicated by the design of the facility itself, which necessitated a series of high metal poles around the perimeter of the project which support the netting.  Thompson says they had to find the “sweet zone” to where they would not violate FAA restrictions and also not damage the drone by colliding with one of the poles.  

Another area where drones have proven effective is grading.  Maroun points out that drones are “excellent” for performing cut/fill analysis. Once this area was established on the El Segundo project, the drones flew over the site, taking thousands of images that are stitched into an orthomosaic map by a third party software.  This map also contains a point cloud as well as a 3D mesh of the site which is then used for cut/fill analysis and other processes.    On another recent project, drones were used to perform a cut/fill analysis, and the data showed that the grading subcontractor had underestimated the material to be removed by a great deal.  By leveraging drone technology, McCarthy’s team identified a potential issue before it could manifest, saving time and money down the project timeline.  In other cases, these orthomosaic maps can be overlaid with civil sheets to verify, in real time, whether things like sewer lines are being dug in the right places.  

Using drones, the team at McCarthy completed the El Segundo Topgolf Project on time and on budget.  Opened on April 11, 2022, the El Segundo Topgolf not only appeals to those seeking recreation with 102 outdoor hitting bays, but also to those seeking socialization with a restaurant and sports bar.  This project demonstrates the next step of drone technology within the AEC industry, moving from small pockets of innovation to full scale use and implementation.

Luke Carothers is the Editor for Civil + Structural Engineer Media. If you want us to cover your project or want to feature your own article, he can be reached at lcarothers@zweiggroup.com.  

By Bryan Baker

A drone on every project site to capture all the as-built data—that was the vision six or seven years ago, when UAVs first took to the skies. That dream, like so many of the early UAVs, didn’t stay airborne for long. The complexity of becoming licensed, operating the aircraft and processing the photogrammetric data proved too unwieldy for many surveying, engineering, and construction firms. And so, while the idea of UAVs has continued to expand, the reality has fallen short—until now. 

The advent of autonomous flying laser scanners changes everything. 

Using advanced sensor fusion technology that combines LiDAR simultaneous localization and mapping (SLAM), visual SLAM, radar, and GNSS, the newest systems enable accurate and complete reality capture from the air without operator guidance. And that’s just the beginning.

A Transformative Shift in UAV Technology

While an FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot certification is still required in the U.S. to fly the latest autonomous solutions, these systems have eliminated the complexity of data capture and processing. Instead of the hours of training and practice required to create flight plans and use a joystick for UAV navigation, the drone does all the work. Simply define your scanning area on the tablet screen, press a button, and the system creates its own flight plan, collects the data, and avoids obstacles.  

Through the tablet interface, you see what the drone sees. Gesture controls make it easy to capture all the data. Double tap anywhere on the screen, and the drone flies in that direction. Swipe left, and the drone rotates left; swipe right, and it rotates right. Pinch to zoom in or out, and the drone flies backward or forward—all with complete awareness of its surroundings because it is mapping its own environment as it flies. Fast and smart, it flies up and over obstacles, capturing all the data in front and behind in a single pass. 

Since it captures everything as a point cloud, there’s no need to convert the data when it’s finished. And unlike photogrammetry, which can’t resolve the depth difference for smaller objects spaced vertically such as pipes, railings, and stairways, lidar data provides a measurable level of detail on all objects. As a result, it’s now possible for an inexperienced operator to capture in minutes what a highly skilled specialist and a team of processing experts might spend hours or even days trying to acquire with manually operated, photogrammetry-based systems. 

The implications for projects requiring fast, safe, comprehensive data capture are remarkable.

Proven Advantages in Speed, Safety and Data Completeness

In the installation of large duct banks, documenting the precise location of the conduit before concrete is poured is imperative for asset management. The fastest, most advanced approach to digitally document these assets has been to use a high-speed terrestrial laser scanner, which can capture a 1,000-ft-long duct bank in about half a day. However, even with multiple setups from both sides of the duct bank, a stationary terrestrial laser scanner can miss data from the sides and bottom of the trench in areas that are not within the line of sight of the laser scanner. An autonomous flying laser captures the entire trench in minutes with complete data. This approach accelerates the completion of duct banks and subsequent construction while providing an accurate and complete digital record of the assets.

At oil and gas refineries, an autonomous flying laser scanner quickly and easily captures the tops of cooling towers along with details such as pipe racks, staircases and power lines. This data can be used for 3D asset management or modeling new piping for best fit. 

In building documentation, the technology quickly captures the entire façade of a multistory building, including balconies, window recesses, the tops of architectural details, and the roof—details that would require multiple setups and significantly more time using a terrestrial laser scanner. 

Bridges, dams and other structures requiring measurement data and condition assessment also benefit from the advantages of autonomous flying systems. The ability to capture accurate, complete point cloud data on the tops and sides of structures without putting an operator in harm’s way creates new opportunities to augment documentation and monitoring projects with rich 3D data and enhanced visualizations.  

These are just a few examples of applications where the efficiency, safety and data collection capabilities of the technology provide significant benefits. More are being discovered with every flight.

Key Considerations

Is an autonomous flying laser scanner a good fit for your projects? These considerations can help you decide.

• What accuracy is required? Autonomous flying laser scanner technology captures data at plus or minus 1 to 2 cm, or .05 ft. If you need a quarter inch or better accuracy, you’ll want to use a terrestrial laser scanner for reality capture instead of or as a supplement to the aerial scan data. 

• How quickly do you need the data? When productivity is paramount, an autonomous flying laser scanner is an order of magnitude faster than even the fastest terrestrial laser scanners.

• What are the site conditions? The autonomous operation of the technology provides significant safety benefits when capturing data in potentially hazardous situations. 

• Are there airspace restrictions? Unlike other UAVs, which typically fly a few hundred feet off the ground for data capture, autonomous flying laser scanners operate within 25 feet of the structures being scanned. This proximity minimizes issues due to airspace restrictions. Built-in AirMap functionality lets you quickly check to see whether an airspace authorization is required.

• Is your project indoors or outdoors? Because the technology uses GNSS for navigation, it is limited to outdoor use. For projects requiring indoor data capture, consider using a robot-mounted autonomous solution or a handheld or stationary laser scanner instead.

• How much detail do you need? Capturing a point cloud with lidar gives you a higher level of detail than generating a point cloud from photogrammetry, especially for objects with vertical spacing. If your project requires a high level of detail, an autonomous flying laser scanner provides an advantage over other UAVs. (Explore sample datasets here.)

• What size is the project?
 Because they fly at low altitudes, autonomous systems are not suitable for capturing large-scale topographic data. However, they are ideal for capturing smaller areas and structures where productivity, safety and detail are paramount.

• Is there a better way to capture the data?
Autonomous flying laser scanners might not be the best solution for every application—but they provide a distinct advantage compared to traditional UAV systems and, in some cases, terrestrial laser scanners. Whether used alone or in combination with other technologies, these full lidar UAVs make it fast and easy to scan inaccessible areas, stay safe on the site and capture all the data you need.

With their simple operation, impressive data quality and broad usability, autonomous flying laser scanners make it possible to harness the power of 3D digital data to deliver tremendous value. Finally, the vision of a UAV on every project is within reach.

To learn more about laser scanning and other solutions to maximize your surveying and engineering potential, get in touch with a surveying and engineering expert at Leica Geosystems.

Bryan Baker is the Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) sales manager for Leica Geosystems in the US and Canada. He has been in the geospatial industry for his entire career and has a passion for aviation and technology. He’s an ASPRS certified mapping scientist, an instrument-rated commercial pilot, and a small UAS remote pilot. He’s also a factory-certified UAS trainer and an FAA Certified Flight Instructor. In his spare time, he volunteers as an FAA Safety Team representative and is a designated “Drone Pro” for the southwestern US. Bryan can be reached at bryan.baker@leicaus.com. 

With the rapid growth of the drone industry, the interest from construction, engineering, real estate, and insurance communities in using UAS for building, roof, and infrastructure inspections is observed globally. This can range from inspecting buildings, bridges, chimneys, open pit walls, dams to communications and electrical infrastructure like cell towers or wind turbines. Traditionally these types of inspections are performed by highly trained inspectors using rope or scaffolding, making them more dangerous and thus driving up the cost. Fully automated drone vertical inspections are not only safer, they also allow for more precise data collection, which is very important for post-processing.

Automating vertical inspections in North America

Many cities in the United States are mandating building facade inspection programs to proactively identify any unsafe conditions that could pose a risk of injury or damage to property. For example, in the city of Chicago, all buildings with a height of at least 80 feet need to be inspected every 4 to 12 years based on the category of the building. Noticeably, it is possible for stakeholders to perform these surveys using drones without getting a waiver from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). Moreover, with the nationwide deployment of Low Altitude Authorization and Notification Capability (LAANC) and the 14 CFR Part 107 by the FAA, it is now possible to obtain approval to perform drone inspections of these objects even when there are multiple airports or helipads around. (Barnhart, Marshall & Shappee, 2021)

In Canada, dam inspections with the use of a UAV  are an extremely innovative area where there hasn’t been a lot of growth. For detailed crack mapping and inspections, the traditional method is to send teams of engineers out on the structure, sometimes using rope access, where they have a harness, and they climb down the structure and manually measure each crack and then map each of them out with pen and structural drawings. A UAV method of data collection is more efficient, much safer for the team, and creates a digital model that can then be referenced over time which is extremely important. For example, a Canadian trend setter in UAV-based dam inspections, Niricson, uses drones because the method allows them to capture high resolution imagery and build a 3D model of the structure that they can now reference for future inspections. The company, in particular, opted for vertical scanning with a UAV in a Colorado project. They wanted to make sure that they maintained a consistent ground sampling distance, or basically, a consistent pixel size for the images, and the approach allowed them to quantify those cracks. Furthermore, they managed this to be repeatable in future surveys to compare how the structure would be changing.

Advantages of performing automated vertical inspections compared to manual drone inspection flights

Performing vertical drone surveys over manual surveys could be considered advantageous  thanks to higher accuracy, repeatability of flights, increased crew safety, and lower costs. The result of vertical scanning surveys with a UAV is a set of images captured with a specific forward and side overlap, which can then be stitched together into a vertical orthomosaic or even a 3D model. This information can then be used to detect defects such as cracks or other damage. For example, in case of building inspection, this can more accurately estimate facade renovation costs and, after the repairs are finished –to check the quality of work of contractors. 

Performing these types of inspection flights manually would be a difficult task for even the most experienced UAV pilots. This is the reason why most professional surveyors are moving towards automating it with the use of a flight planning software.  Since drone surveys are repeatable with a high degree of accuracy, a software may allow the creation of a digital model of the structure after each survey flight, giving the ability to compare multiple models over time to see how the structure is changing to, for example, monitor if any cracks are developing over time.  

According to Mark Patrick Collins, Associate Professor, Unmanned Systems, from Indiana State University, UgCS, mission planning and flight control software by SPH Engineering, was confirmed to be applicable for building and roof inspections. UgCS allowed users of a focus group to create a façade flight plan vertically across each facade of the building to perform this type of inspection safely and accurately. Users could set the distances from the building and the overlap and UgCS automatically calculates the optimal flight path for the vertical grid pattern. (Barnhart, Marshall & Shappee, 2021)

Workflow of planning vertical inspections using drones

Performing vertical inspections with drones can be divided into three phases – flight planning, execution, and post-processing.

Flight planning is started by drawing polylines on the map around the object. Next, the distance to the object is measured in the software and entered in the parameters. Similarly, the type of camera used and overlap parameters are entered by the operator along with minimum and maximum altitude values. Two inspection directions can be selected – horizontal or vertical. Vertical is more efficient for taller objects while horizontal is better for longer buildings. 

The main parameter used when calculating the flight lines is the distance to the facade. The more accurately the flight is planned using polylines and maintaining a constant distance to the facade, the more consistent the ground sampling distance (GSD) of the end result will be.

Next camera actions are added. This allows the camera to automatically trigger either by time (every X seconds) or by distance (every X meters). Camera attitude action is added as well, setting a desired angle. 

In cases when the structure is located on an uneven terrain, it is necessary for the flight planning software to be able to plan the mission according to the terrain elevation model. For example, in the UgCS software by default SRTM4 elevation data is used and it is possible to plan flights at a constant AGL (above ground level) altitude. Moreover, when doing centimeter-level precision flights very near to the side of a building, custom terrain elevation models imported from LiDAR scans can be used.

For flight execution the planned route can be either executed from the desktop PC or downloaded offline on a mobile device or the drone’s smart controller so that the laptop does not need to be used in the field.

Useful tips / notes when performing vertical scans with drones

Firstly, it is important to remember that GPS signal quality may decrease when flying very close to a tall vertical building. Pilots should therefore always keep the drone RC in their hands and monitor the signal quality.

Secondly, in relation to the point above, it’s important to keep the drone in visual line of sight (VLOS). Since a flight planning software like UgCS allows to plan vertical scans where the drone goes around the corner of a building, the pilot should always follow the drone in these cases and not fly BVLOS. Alternatively, a visual observer, who is in direct communication with the pilot, may be used.

Alexey Dobrobolsky, Co-Founder and Chief Technical Officer at SPH Engineering– SPH Engineering is a multiproduct drone software company and UAV integration services provider. Founded in 2013 in Latvia (EU) as a UAV mission planning and flight control start-up, the company has evolved from a developer of a single flagman product UgCS to a market leader of multiple drone solutions. Today the company has created a rich global customer and reseller network in 150+ countries while over 45 percent of partners are located in North America.  Alexey Dobrobolsky is Chief Technical Officer, Member of The Board and Co-Founder at SPH Engineering. He has introduced a number of solutions recognized by the global market like the software to manage drone shows and  drone-based industrial product lines. As of today he is responsible for strategy management and development. He likes to work a lot in a field to test SPH solutions in real life scenarios.

What can drones tell us about preventing burnout in the AEC industry?

Drone and UAV technology has come a long way in the last few years.  New developments allow drones to fly fasters, longer, and higher than ever before.  Not only has battery technology improved, but so too has our strategic deployment of these resources.  Field and home docking stations allow drones to recharge their batteries, upload data, and rest until needed again.  This strategic deployment helps maintain the continuity of crucial data streams and prevents the physical loss of drones.

It is easy to think of drones in these terms, but the same isn’t necessarily true for us as human beings.  And it’s true, we are not drones.  We need much more to sustain our daily tasks beyond being shut off and charged.  The human brain is complex, but, by thinking strategically about how we deploy our resources, we can prevent burnout in ourselves and those who work with us.  

Firm owners and employees all agree that burnout should be avoided, but I think that today’s work environment is vastly different from that of several years ago and deserves an updated and refreshed set of approaches to solve the issue. Here are some actionable solutions for both owners and employees alike to promote the longevity of high performers in the workplace:

1. Take a real lunch break. While working from home, many of us find ourselves eating in front of our computers while trying to crunch out one of our tasks for the day. When we work through lunch, we deprive ourselves of the following benefits:

– Increased productivity. Taking breaks might sound counterintuitive when it comes to boosting productivity, but it’s one of the best ways to do so. 

-Improved mental well-being. Our brains need time to recharge. Taking some time away from the desk to go for a quick walk or unplug from your devices has a way of reducing stress and improving mental well-being. In Peace in Every Step, Thich Nhat Hanh expands on the benefits of ensuring that you find a consistent time to disconnect from your devices (amongst other things) every day.

-Creativity boost. Taking a break can give you a fresh perspective on challenging projects. 

2. For employers: Create immediate rewards for positive behavior. While we don’t have a full grasp on the complexity of the human mind, we know we can create positive habits via positive reinforcement (rewards). The most common and well known, tangible form of positive reinforcement in the workplace is merit-based bonuses. From an employee’s perspective, this is always appreciated, but I don’t think it’s effective at combating burnout. In Atomic Habits, James Clear explains that the more time there is between a reward and an action, the less effective our brains are at associating the two together to create a habit. Long-term rewards require more conscious thought and decision making from the employee to hold on to that motivation and put in the extra time necessary to claim the reward at the end of the period. Long-term rewards require more discipline and willpower.

Supplement your long-term reward with a short-term reward that offers more frequent positive reinforcement of the behavior that the employee is displaying. My suggestion: if your employee is working late into the evening, allow them to order and expense dinner. To the brain, the thought of working additional hours until the end of your bonus period is a much more daunting endeavor than working until your Chipotle arrives in an hour or two. Our brains are complex but creating and fostering productive habits can be simple.

3. Utilize locational cues if working from home. In Atomic Habits, Clear also explains that our brains use locations as “cues” that are to be followed by an action. In other words, our brains naturally associate certain locations with certain actions and/ or habits. Since Covid, the lines have been blurred and many are struggling to find and maintain a balance between work and life that is sustainable. For some, they may have found issues remaining productive at home with all of the distractions. For others, they may have been too successful in bringing their work home and now have issues finding time to unwind, causing them to feel more stressed and burned out than ever. Clear’s suggestion: create more precise locational cues within your home. This requires a bit of discipline, but it’s effective if you’re persistent and intentional. 

This method of separating work from relaxation when working from home requires a fair amount of discipline and an almost comically strict implementation of the ground rules (yes, you have to stand up and walk to your couch to scroll through Instagram). However, it becomes more habitual over time and has been an effective way for me to find a healthy work-life balance that promotes longevity and prevents burnout. 

Compared to a human brain, drones are not a particular complex technology.  Our understanding of the different pieces of unpiloted flight have improved in recent years, leading to more effective uses of the technology.  Likewise, our understanding of the human brain and what it takes to prevent burnout is growing every year.  By using this understanding to guide successful business practices, we can work towards eliminating burnout in the AEC industry.

Andy Chavez, CM&AA  is an advisor within Zweig Group’s M&A advisory services team. Contact him at achavez@zweiggroup.com.

The partnership is ready to provide a full end-to-end software toolchain for airborne LiDAR  applications. It includes flight planning and data collection (done with UgCS) and data processing  (using LiDAR360), which are necessary for delivering meaningful results such as elevation  models, terrain mapping and modeling, forestry scanning, and power line inspection.  

“Manual drone flight planning does not guarantee a stable flight. Moreover, during large-scale  projects, you cannot see the drone at all times. Automated mission planning using UgCS allows  users to plan LiDAR surveys with adjustable corner radius and calibration segments, overcoming these issues and guaranteeing the results to be more accurate,” describes Alvin QIU at  GreenValley International.  

“We decided to test LiDAR360 upon the recommendation of one of our partners. We have  evaluated multiple software packages for LiDAR data processing and found that LiDAR360 is the  most universal and provides a good balance between user friendliness and professional results”,  explains Alexey Dobrovolskiy, CTO at SPH Engineering.  

To learn more about the aligned technology, join the webinar.  

About SPH Engineering  

SPH Engineering (sph-engineering.com) is a global provider of UAV software solutions,  integration services, consulting and custom development to expand drone applications. Its  innovations support UAVs of different manufacturers and advance drone technologies for  surveying, data collection, and entertainment. Founded in 2013 in Latvia (EU), the company has  a global customer and partner network in 150+ countries. 

About Green Valley 

GreenValley International (greenvalleyintl.com) is a leader in complete 3D surveying and mapping  solutions. Partnering with renowned LiDAR sensor producers like RIEGL and Livox, GreenValley  focuses on LiDAR and image fusion technology, specializing in lidar, UAV, SLAM,  photogrammetry, and other technologies to achieve an accurate digital representation of three dimensional space. GVI high-precision lidar scanning systems, such as LiAir (UAV/Fixed-Wing),  LiMobile (vehicle-mounted), LiBackpack, and LiPod (terrestrial), help create smart cities and  provide intelligent solutions in energy, agriculture, forestry, roadwork, geographic information  (GIS), mining, and more. LiDAR360, LiPowerline, LiStreet, and other GVI software solutions  provide core processing and analysis for accurate point cloud editing and visualization.

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Propeller’s Post-Processed Kinematic solution (PPK) enables seamless surveying and 3D mapping of worksites across the construction, mining and earthworks industries. Coupled with Quantum-Systems’ Trinity F90+ drone, a dedicated large scale mapping drone, contractors will be able to improve survey accuracy, condense their traditionally weeks-long data collection process into a few hours, and quickly share digital models among their broader worksite teams.

Designed and manufactured in Germany, the Trinity F90+ drone builds on Quantum-Systems’ previous F9 model and makes electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft accessible to customers at an affordable price point without compromising technical quality or usability. Additionally, the Trinity F90+ drone can fly for up to 90 minutes – well beyond the industry standard of 60 minutes – allowing earthworks professionals to survey larger worksites more efficiently, and it comes with the broadest choice of integrated sensors in the industry.

“Today’s contractors and surveyors are eager to adopt new technologies that modernize workflows and allow them to analyze more aspects of their worksite than ever before,” said Richie Hadfield, Head of Product at Propeller Aero. “The clients we work with are doing cutting-edge work in the construction, earthworks, and mining space and are already using drone technology to accelerate project timelines, reduce costly rework, and create safer environments for their employees. Our new partnership with Quantum-Systems gives our customers in Europe and around the world even more ways to achieve this increased efficiency and accuracy with the highly advanced F90+ drone.”

To use the combined solution, surveyors place Propeller AeroPoints (smart ground control points) around the worksite, fly the Trinity F90+ drone above to collect survey data and upload that data to Propeller’s cloud-based platform where it is processed and available to use within 24 hours.

“The drone industry has progressed a lot over the last couple of years, along with customer expectations,” notes Florian Seibel, Co-founder and CEO of Quantum-Systems. “It is no longer reasonable to have customers figure out a complete solution for their needs. As a technology company, we listen to our customers and understand their needs and how best to address them. With the full Trimble Stratus solution completed with Trinity F90+, customers can proactively finish their projects from end to end.”

Clients will now have the ability to purchase the complete solution of Trimble Stratus and Quantum-Systems Trinity F90+ through Propeller’s channel partnership with Trimble®, the global leader in positioning technologies, and through participating SITECH® distributors.

The FIXAR 025 carries up to 10 kg (22 lbs) payload for a distance up to 300 km (186 mi) in one battery charge. The operations are fully autonomous assured by an in-house developed next-generation Autopilot and xGroundControl systems making it an efficient and reliable choice for BVLOS missions.

Long-anticipated increased flight distance and payload capacity have been unlocked and supplemented with versatility. The UAV allows to use broad array of sophisticated professional payload modules by easily swapping them and using the same aircraft for surveying, aerial imaging, remote sensing, surveillance, real-time monitoring and delivery.

The UAV is equipped with a patented payload safety system to secure the sensors and the data backup BlackBox system for mission and payload data safety.

“With this model, we intend to answer a lasting market call for the increased flight range, payload capacity, and integration vastness. FIXAR 025 has a full-body lift design, the entire body of the UAV serves as a wing area, eliminating dead weight and increasing flight efficiency and length,” says Vasily Lukashov, Founder & CEO at FIXAR.

“The system comes with an API compatible with any unmanned air traffic management ecosystem regardless of the country of operations. This allows to easily comply to the air traffic authority rules, fulfill safety requirements and start missions at any location in no time,” he adds.

Key performance features of FIXAR 025:

• Reliable Operations: the UAV payload and data is secured with BlackBox and patented Payload Safety System; the autonomous operations with terrain tracking and automated planning ensures safe missions. Meantime, the drone system is free of complicated launch mechanisms and allows to set it up and operate easily.
• Economic Efficiency: the reduced power consumption and aerodynamic design allows to significantly extend flight time and increase payload capacity. In combination it allows to execute tasks faster and with less takes. The aircraft’s weather resistance capacity significantly reduces the possible downtime. The advanced xGroundControl software supports single and up to 10-unit multi drone missions simultaneously, making it a remarkable UAV for building a drone fleet.
• Compatibility: the UAV system is designed to support integration with AI solutions and unmanned air traffic ecosystem anywhere in the world making it simple to integrate AI or to start operations within different ecosystem. The UAV system is built to support third party sensor integration offering unlimited customized configurations.

It is currently possible to pre-order the drone; the serial production for the FIXAR 025 will begin by the end of 2022.

Get to know FIXAR 025: Product Page | Watch Video

About FIXAR:

FIXAR is a full-stack software and design developer, powering commercial autonomous UAVs for industrial applications. Founded in 2018 by aerospace engineer Vasily Lukashov, the company holds a strong IP asset portfolio and is present in 20+ countries around the globe serving more than 40 end-customers through the network of distribution partners.

The company is recognized for its flagship drone FIXAR 007 that has outperformed same class drones. The drone stands out with aerodynamic design, in-house developed Autopilot, and intuitive xGroundControl software. These features secure easy and safe autonomous aerial missions for mapping, surveying, utilities, infrastructure, oil & gas, agriculture, forestry, and many more industries.

In 2022 FIXAR has been awarded Edison Awards Bronze in the category of Aerospace and Robotics for its flagship VTOL outdoor UAV – FIXAR 007 with Autopilot and xGroundControl software.

“We have seen an increase in demand for our unique products and technologies over the past few months, resulting in new orders and partnerships,” said Israel Bar, CEO of Maris-Tech. “Our technology platform enables us to adapt our solutions to the needs of our customers and as a result, expand our product portfolio. We enjoy a high level of confidence from leading players in the defense and surveillance sector, contributing greatly to our reputation and our recognition in the market”.

The purchase order was received for Opal, Maris-Tech’s new ruggedized platform based on the Jupiter-AI platform, which is an integration of the Jupiter-Nano and the Hailo AI accelerator.

Maris-Tech’s Jupiter AI platform delivers real-time intelligence gathering and analytics based situational awareness capabilities from multiple sources and combines Maris-Tech’s capability in video processing and artificial intelligence. The Jupiter product range features intelligent video transmission technologies with high quality video, superior energy efficiency, and miniaturized form factor that is suitable for a wide range of platforms and applications.

About Maris-Tech Ltd.

Maris-Tech is a B2B provider of intelligent video transmission technology, founded by veterans of the Israel technology sector with extensive electrical engineering and imaging experience. Our products are designed to meet the growing demands of commercial and tactical applications, delivering high-performance, compact, low power and low latency solutions to companies worldwide, including leading electro-optical payload, RF datalink and unmanned platform manufacturers as well as defense, HLS, and communication companies. For more information, visit https://www.maris-tech.com/.

The E400 is an extremely high-performance drone, with an industry-leading flight time of ninety  minutes. This extra flight time translates to greater range and extra margin, so operators can  gather more data in a single mission. Additionally, the E400 is much more stable at altitude and  in windy conditions, making it more durable and versatile than a multirotor drone. 

The E400 incorporates one of the premium features of a multirotor drone: Vertical take-off and landing (VTOL). The E400 can take off or land anywhere at the touch of a button, eliminating  the need for specialty launch or recovery equipment. 

“We’ve been making fixed-wing drones for over a decade, but the E400 is our first fixed-wing  drone with VTOL capabilities. We’re extremely proud to offer this feature,” said Jeff Taylor,  founder & CEO of Event38. “At Event 38, we’re always looking for ways to make our drones  more useful and accessible. Adding VTOL functionality improved the user friendliness of the  E400 by leaps and bounds.”

Event 38 began exploring VTOL functionality for fixed-wing drones in 2019 during a partnership  with the Air Force’s Rapid Sustainment Office (RSO). Taylor and his team ran trials with the Air  National Guard on a military-grade, carbon fiber, fixed-wing VTOL aircraft, which is now  commercially available as the E400. 

Another user-friendly feature of the E400 is the plane’s hot-swap payload bay. The E400’s  payload can be changed in under a minute without specialty tools or skills, minimizing down  time between missions. Customers can choose from a variety of specialty cameras and other  advanced sensors, including high-resolution aerial photogrammetry, thermal and multispectral  imagery, LiDAR, and live video streaming. The E400’s payload pay has an open interface, so  customers can integrate virtually any camera or sensor with Event 38’s open-source autopilot  software. 

Event 38 is now accepting orders for the E400 fixed-wing mapping drone. Each E400 is  manufactured at Event 38’s headquarters in Richfield, Ohio. 

“The E400 is the only drone of its kind that’s made on American soil,” said Taylor. “This drone is  the culmination of everything we’ve learned over the past ten years and the advancements we  made in partnership with the military, and we’re incredibly proud to bring the E400 to market.” 

For more information about the E400 and Event 38 Unmanned Systems, please visit www.event38.com. 

Detroit, MI – Derq, an award-winning MIT spin-off and leading provider of real-time Artificial Intelligence (AI) analytics solutions for connected roads and vehicles has successfully deployed an end-to-end solution to address burning needs in pedestrian and cyclist safety. In collaboration with Control Technologies, Inc. (CT),  Danlaw, and CeVe, Derq has most recently demonstrated in Florida its ability to prevent collisions between drivers, pedestrians, and cyclists using a variety of approaches, including connected vehicle messages, flashing pedestrian signs, actuating traffic signals, and smartphone application alerts. The solution also reports advanced safety insights, helping agencies better understand and improve road safety performance.

• Placing a call within a traffic signal controller to activate the desired pedestrian phase by utilizing the data generated from the fusion of passive pedestrian detection and a smartphone application. 
• Activating flashing pedestrian signs (such as RRFBs) at mid-block crossings for an approaching pedestrian by utilizing the data generated from the fusion of passive pedestrian detection and a smartphone application. 
• Alerting approaching vehicles both audibly and visually of pedestrian or cyclist presence based upon a potential conflict prediction made possible by the broadcasting of C-V2X messages such as Basic Safety Messages (BSM) and Personal Safety Messages (PSM) generated by the fusion of passive pedestrian detection and a smartphone application. 
• Alerting pedestrians and cyclists using a smartphone application at crossings of approaching vehicles based upon a potential conflict prediction made possible by the fusion of advanced vehicle detection and C-V2X messages (BSMs) broadcasted by the vehicle. 

From 2017 to 2021, the industry experienced an impressive incline at a CAGR of 23.5%. During the COVID-19 pandemic, prospects dimmed across certain sectors, including manufacturing and hospitality, while deployment for general surveillance purposes, especially to check whether individuals adhered to lockdown norms, increased dramatically.

The fatal mix of stealth capabilities and enhanced video imagery is providing developed-country militaries with drones capable of wreaking considerable harm on enemy territory. Emerging nations and war-torn areas, such as Syria, are innovating and employing cost-cutting techniques, such as the employment of cheap, commercial quadcopters outfitted with improvised and low-intensity explosives in their military operations.

Key Takeaways from the Market Study

• By product, military drones to accumulate 55% market revenue in 2022
• Construction industry to emerge as an opportunistic application sector, expanding at an 18% CAGR
• U.S to account for nearly 2 out of 5 drone sales in 2022 and beyond
• China to emerge as the most opportunistic market, capturing a revenue share of 45%
• Global drone market is expected to be valued at US$ 30 Bn by the end of 2022

“Increasing global uncertainty resulting out of an international arms race is prompting nations to strengthen existing military capabilities to ensure national security, providing immense scope for the drones market”, says a Fact.MR analyst

Competitive Landscape

The drone business is expanding rapidly, with industry leaders like as DJI and Parrot pursuing autonomy in all of their drone features and functions. Frontrunners in the drone sector appear to be focusing on R&D and collaborative collaborations.

• DJI Technology Co. Ltd, a Chinese business, continues to dominate the drone industry landscape across all drone product categories, including software, drone aircraft, and payload. Its brisk growth can be ascribed to its unique product development and enterprise channel relationships.
• For example, in 2018, the corporation produced two enterprise drone products aimed at the industrial space, known as the Phantom 4 RTK and the Mavic 2 Enterprise

Founded in 2014, by CEO Chess Stetson, dRISK is an AI company which promises to revolutionise autonomous vehicles’ (“AVs”) safety by training them to avoid high risk scenarios. This contrasts with the conventional approach of training AV’s on low risk driving. dRISK counts multiple leading AV developers among its current customer base – which is growing quickly.

dRISK‘s core technology – with four patents granted and two pending – uses networks of data to store, visualise, and reveal “unknown unknowns” in complex and highly sparse data areas.

The commercial rollout of AVs has failed to live up to expectations due to the technical challenge of dealing with high risk scenarios which are unlikely, but pose a real risk. dRISK solves this problem by fusing public, private and proprietary data covering high risk scenarios. dRISK’s statistical robustness and auditability has allowed it to win the largest grant from the UK’s Centre for Connected and Autonomous vehicles; enabling dRISK to build the ultimate test for self-driving cars.

The global market for AI training data alone is currently valued at $1.5 billion. FWT’s investment will accelerate the development and growth of dRISK as a central technology for AV development.

Matthew Burke, Head of Technology Ventures at WAE, commented: “dRISK’s proprietary technology has the potential to accelerate the development of automated driving control systems and overcome one of the main barriers to self-driving: the identification of edge cases. We are delighted that FWT has made this investment and we expect to leverage our knowledge of the automotive industry to increase uptake of dRISK’s technology.”

Chess Stetson, Chief Executive of dRISK, added: “This investment will allow dRISK to accelerate our business plan and achieve our goal of introducing the dRISK product to the majority of the AV industry. And in turn, dramatically accelerating the development of safe and useable autonomous vehicles. We thank Foresight and Williams Advanced Engineering for their support.”

Commenting on the investment, Hugh Minnock, Senior Investment Manager at Foresight, said: “Foresight Williams Technology is delighted to invest in dRISK, a hugely exciting company that will hasten the Autonomous Vehicle revolution and the decarbonised future we expect to follow.”

UgCS by SPH Engineering gives professional drone pilots the ability to plan detailed survey missions in a 3D environment on PC/Mac. One of the features of UgCS is the ability to plan vertical inspection missions with terrain following based on custom imported digital elevation models (DEM).

Niricson is one of the fastest growing start-ups in Canada, having top hydro dam owners and engineering consulting firms as customers around the world. Niricson’s AUTOSPEX cloud-based platform, enables asset managers and civil engineers to quickly gather insights and proactively plan the repair of their assets. The platform helps them manage their budgets and help ensure the safety of the high consequence structures during their service life and beyond.

Agenda:
– Connecting your drone to UgCS
– Custom camera configuration and actions
– Planning vertical missions
– Importing digital elevation models
– Performing hydro dam inspections using drones (Niricson) and processing data

The webinar is free of charge and requires registration.
The webinar will be recorded – please register to get the link to the video recording!

Discover UgCS https://www.ugcs.com/
About SPH Engineering https://sph-engineering.com/
Discover Niricson https://niricson.com/
With any questions please contact support@ugcs.com.

Join us on June 2, 6 PM (GMT+3) to learn more about how UgCS vertical inspection and DEM import features can be utilized to collect 1mm/pixel resolution data on concrete arch dams.

Register Here

Thank you to all who entered and to our judging panel for sharing their knowledge and insights on the video entries.

Look out for C+S’ July 2022 issue for the full story covering the winning video – Chemical Nitric Acid Plant.

Interested in advertising with us in the July Drone focused issue? Email afinley@zweiggroup.com.

ACS University Program partners may conduct research using real industry data from Advantest’s in-house-developed ASIC devices, including several lots with full die-level traceability, to evaluate their research results in actual, industry-relevant environments. University partners are also given the opportunity to publish their results to support global research advancements.

Given the ongoing challenges within the semiconductor value chain, obtaining real-world data is even more vital for research efforts seeking to embed process variations and other physical process characteristics into their developed methodologies. In particular, modern machine learning-based techniques require large volumes of high-quality data from multiple correlated lots and manufacturing steps.

“The ACS University Program is a prime opportunity for our network research partners to contribute to the success of the ACS open solution ecosystem,” said Michael Chang, vice president, ACS, of Advantest. “Supporting the research community by giving them access to real data and use cases provides the tools they need to pursue innovations and breakthroughs that may prove vital to the future of the semiconductor value chain.”

Selected academic partners may join the ACS University Program now at no cost. Advantest plans to broaden membership access later this year.

About Advantest Corporation
Advantest (TSE: 6857) is the leading manufacturer of automatic test and measurement equipment used in the design and production of semiconductors for applications including 5G communications, the Internet of Things (IoT), autonomous vehicles, high performance computing (HPC) including artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning, and more. Its leading-edge systems and products are integrated into the most advanced semiconductor production lines in the world. The company also conducts R&D to address emerging testing challenges and applications; develops advanced test-interface solutions for wafer sort and final test; produces scanning electron microscopes essential to photomask manufacturing; and offers system-level test solutions and other test-related accessories. Founded in Tokyo in 1954, Advantest is a global company with facilities around the world and an international commitment to sustainable practices and social responsibility. More information is available at www.advantest.com.

Texas manufacturing amounts to 13% of the state’s annual output. Officials realize that a preferable reallocation of labor makes the state more competitive for long-run projects in a time of rising costs.

Crespo also met with Robert Allen, CEO at Texas Economic Development Corporation, to discuss the success other manufacturers have had by maximizing the use of AI throughout the value chain. At HEINEKEN, the implementation of Valiot’s value chain services produced a significant ROI.

Sergio Rodriguez, VP of Operations at Heineken, adds:  “The people who make the algorithms do not always know where the value in the facility is; Valiot did.” Valiot’s AI-powered technology helped the Monterrey-based brewery increase throughput while using existing infrastructure to identify and alleviate a production bottleneck at the filtration stage.

Crespo and Texas officials continue to discuss their shared vision for what this technology could accomplish within Texas manufacturing.

About Valiot: Valiot uses AI to unleash the true value of your value chain. It allows for self-regulated and smarter operations. It reduces human reliability and predicts optimal ways for your factory to run. Based in Austin, Texas, the company is continuously analyzing information to predict and fix production behaviors and bottlenecks. Rather than losing time tracking down handwritten manufacturing logs, rescheduling production sequences, and manually entering information into spreadsheets, operators are empowered to streamline and maximize the efficiency of multiple factories at once while having a better overview of the entire value chain.

Lanner’s Falcon H8 modular, PCIe FHHL form factor provides a compact and easily deployable solution for engineers looking to offload CPU loading for low-latency deep learning inference. With high-density AI processors, the Falcon H8 accommodates 4, 5, or 6 Hailo-8TM AI processors, offering a modular, cost-effective Edge AI solution with high processing capabilities and power efficiency. Through a standard PCIe interface, the Falcon H8 AI Accelerator Card enables legacy devices such as NVRs, Edge AI boxes, Industrial PCs and robots to run video-intensive, mission-critical Edge AI applications such as video analytics, traffic management, access control, and beyond.

The Falcon H8 delivers unprecedented inference processing of over 15,000 Frames Per Second (FPS) for MobileNet-v2 and 8,000 FPS for ResNet-50. Its performance is up to 4x more cost effective (TOPS/$) and 2x more power efficient (TOPS/W) compared to leading GPU-based solutions.

“Optimized for AI functionality, performance, and ease of deployment, Lanner is pleased to partner with Hailo to design a next-gen AI accelerator card that brings top-performing AI computing to the edge of industrial IoT,” said Jeans Tseng, CTO of Lanner Electronics. “Our expertise in creating high-density hardware platforms, combined with Hailo’s state-of-the-art neural chip and software framework, provides service providers and system integrators a best-in-class AI accelerator that enables running deep learning applications most efficiently with the lowest total cost of ownership.”

“The integration of Lanner’s Falcon H8 and the Hailo-8 provides unmatched AI performance at the edge. This joint solution is more powerful, scalable, and cost-effective than other solutions available on the market today,” said Orr Danon, CEO and Co-Founder of Hailo. “Our collaboration with Lanner will better power edge devices across industries, including transportation, smart cities, smart retail, industrial IoT, and more.”

Lanner Electronics and Hailo first announced their collaboration in 2021, launching groundbreaking AI 1/2 inference solutions for real-time computer vision at the edge. Several Tier 1 customers have since adopted the companies’ groundbreaking platforms.

ISA President Carlos Mandolesi said that automation professionals make up many diverse sectors, and having a day dedicated to those in the field can offer a learning opportunity for those unfamiliar with automation. “It is very common that our friends, relatives, and population in general do not understand what we do when we say that we work with automation,” he said. “It is important to have our own date to celebrate and promote the automation profession. ISA, as the home of automation, is the perfect organization to create it.”

The focal point of the day was a call to action in which automation industry professionals and automation students were encouraged to submit photos of themselves working in the field, or testimonials about how they hope to have an impact in the world through automation.

Mandolesi said that he was thrilled to see the positive feedback from all around the world. “The response was so amazing. I wanted to reply to all the social media posts to demonstrate how happy I was,” he said. “It was a huge success.”

Several sections also had their own celebrations to correspond with the day, including the ISA Pune Section in India. Vishal Pansare, vice president of the digital manufacturing division at Logicon Technosolutions, said that his section held an event to recognize those in the field.

“The ISA Pune Section celebrated this day by organizing a grand event where all members, automation professionals, and key leaders from large manufacturing companies located in Pune, like Tata Motors, Cipla, Thermax, and Coca-Cola, were invited,” he said. “The theme was how automation and digitization has been helping manufacturers in India, the latest trending technologies in manufacturing fields, and how they can be implemented by the factories.”

Pansare also added that days like this are important for those in automation. “Days like International Automation Professionals Day are necessary to create awareness around the world about the field and how it contributes to our day to day lives.”

Mandolesi is already looking forward to next year’s celebration and appreciates those who participated. “Thank you to all professionals, members, staff, and sections that invested time to create a post on social media or who organized large events to celebrate the day,” he said. “You are responsible for the success of our first International Automation Professionals Day. Thank you!”

To view some of the submissions and highlights from ISA’s International Automation Professionals Day, visit https://programs.isa.org/automationprodaytestimonials

TOKYO, (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Leading semiconductor test equipment supplier Advantest Corporation (TSE: 6857) has launched its DUT Scale Duo interface for the V93000 EXA Scale SoC test systems, enabling the industry’s highest level of parallelism for testing advanced semiconductors. With this revolutionary interface, the usable space on DUT boards and probe cards is increased by 50 percent or more while wafer probe and final-test set ups can accommodate component heights that are more than three times taller.

In today’s testing environments, the number of devices that can be tested in parallel is most often limited by the component space on the probe card or DUT board, not by available tester resources. With fast-growing market segments including automotive, mobile and RF devices trending toward higher site counts, the need for more space on DUT boards for IC testing is becoming critical. In addition, leading-edge wafer probers and final-test handlers require more area on printed circuit boards to provide the most cost-efficient solutions, from single wafer touch-down capabilities in wafer probing to massively parallel final testing across 32 sites or more.

Advantest offers the industry’s first DUT interface with the capability to adapt either to the existing standard DUT board or probe card size or to switch to the new, significantly larger size. Using a unique sliding mechanism, users can effortlessly switch back and forth between both formats to adapt to specific application requirements.

Along with the new interface, a new super-stiff extended bridge achieves superior deflection performance in direct-probing set ups. The unit’s universal design gives it the versatility to support a wide range of applications including digital and RF device testing.

With its sophisticated sensing capabilities, the extended bridge delivers the industry’s best planarity and high manufacturing yield, ensuring highly accurate positioning and verification of probe card clamping.

“Our new DUT Scale Duo enables the next stepping in parallelism while embodying Advantest’s continuing emphasis on system compatibility by allowing users to utilize their existing DUT boards and probe cards with a new interface,” said Advantest’s General Manager and EVP, Jürgen Serrer. “In addition to protecting customers’ investments, our approach to delivering the most efficient test solutions also offers flexibility and simplifies fleet management on the test floor.”

The new interface’s performance has been verified by pilot customers before device ramp up for high-volume manufacturing.

“The DUT Scale Duo interface supports us to unleash the next step in test cell efficiency, enabling more productive use of test assets,” stated Renie de Kok, test technology manager for docking and interfacing at NXP® Semiconductors.

“The co-development of DUT Scale Duo exemplifies the strategic collaboration between Advantest and NXP, paving the path for a future proof EXA Scale platform,” added Marty Kampes, test technology manager for ATE at NXP® Semiconductors.

DUT Scale Duo is expected to be broadly available by the middle of this year.

About Advantest Corporation

Advantest (TSE: 6857) is the leading manufacturer of automatic test and measurement equipment used in the design and production of semiconductors for applications including 5G communications, the Internet of Things (IoT), autonomous vehicles, high performance computing (HPC) including artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning, and more. Its leading-edge systems and products are integrated into the most advanced semiconductor production lines in the world. The company also conducts R&D to address emerging testing challenges and applications; develops advanced test-interface solutions for wafer sort and final test; produces scanning electron microscopes essential to photomask manufacturing; and offers system-level test solutions and other test-related accessories. Founded in Tokyo in 1954, Advantest is a global company with facilities around the world and an international commitment to sustainable practices and social responsibility. More information is available at www.advantest.com.

The Leica Pegasus TRK solution utilises artificial intelligence capabilities to transform mobile mapping. The advanced dynamic laser scanning and expandible imagery system for recording, measuring and visualising environments increases productivity with automated, intelligent workflows. The Pegasus TRK is so light that it can be operated by one person, making mapping projects more efficient and cost-effective. Because of the system’s user-friendliness, it is suitable for professionals who are new to the technology. At the same time, its reliable, high-quality deliverables serve the needs of technical experts in various industries, including surveying, transportation and utilities. The Pegasus TRK solution features an AI-enhanced camera and automatic camera calibration. To comply with privacy regulations, its AI can identify and blur identifiers, such as people and vehicles, in real time.

The Pegasus TRK solution enables long-range mobile mapping for applications in asset management; road construction; rail and critical infrastructure; oil, gas and electricity industries and more. The system is also ideal for creating high-definition base maps for autonomous vehicles.

The Pegasus TRK connects with the new powerful Leica Pegasus FIELD software for fully autonomous and secure data collection and route planning in the field. It also connects with the Leica Cyclone Pegasus OFFICE for seamless input into post-processing and publishing workflows.

“The Pegasus TRK solution is the most efficient mobile mapping product we’ve tried so far,” says Raymon Somford, CEO and owner of Rise3D. “It is lightweight and easy to use, guiding our team through the process of data collection. Its sensors that trigger automatically avoid missing details. We can achieve quality images regardless of the conditions, making mobile mapping almost effortless.”

“The Pegasus TRK solution offers flexibility, true-to-life image clarity and best-in-class accuracy while making mobile mapping more accessible and easier than ever before,” says Christian Schäfer, Business Director Mobile Mapping at Leica Geosystems. “There is a growing demand for more autonomy. This solution raises the bar in data collection with automated route-planning, guidance and collection processes that increase efficiency, improve data quality and reduce project costs.”

This innovative solution will be a featured Tech Highlight at Hexagon’s flagship digital reality solutions conference HxGN Live Global in Las Vegas, NV, from June 20-23, 2022.

To find out more about the Pegasus TRK solution, visit: https://leica-geosystems.com/products/leica-pegasus-trk

Leica Geosystems – when it has to be right

Revolutionising the world of measurement and survey for 200 years, Leica Geosystems, part of Hexagon, creates complete solutions for professionals across the planet. Known for premium products and innovative solution development, professionals in a diverse mix of industries, such as aerospace and defence, safety and security, construction, and manufacturing, trust Leica Geosystems for all their geospatial needs. With precise and accurate instruments, sophisticated software, and trusted services, Leica Geosystems delivers value every day to those shaping the future of our world.

Hexagon

Hexagon is a global leader in digital reality solutions, combining sensor, software and autonomous technologies. We are putting data to work to boost efficiency, productivity, quality and safety across industrial, manufacturing, infrastructure, public sector, and mobility applications.

Our technologies are shaping production and people-related ecosystems to become increasingly connected and autonomous – ensuring a scalable, sustainable future.

Hexagon’s Geosystems division provides a comprehensive portfolio of digital solutions that capture, measure, and visualise the physical world and enable data-driven transformation across industry ecosystems.

Hexagon (Nasdaq Stockholm: HEXA B) has approximately 22,000 employees in 50 countries and net sales of approximately 4.3bn EUR. Learn more at hexagon.com and follow us @HexagonAB.

PISA, Italy — IDS GeoRadar, part of Hexagon, today announced its newest solution for utility professionals: AiMaps offers intelligent cloud-processing of Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) data to provide clean uncluttered information for faster detection of underground utilities. Adopting the use of AI in underground utility detection, AiMaps facilitates analysis with a smart and straightforward cloud-based solution to speed up productivity.

AiMaps works with the post-processing software application IQMaps for advanced GPR data analysis and utilises Hexagon’s HxDR digital reality platform – offering an advanced cloud solution and deep learning service  –  to handle the complexity of radar data processing. Available as a SaaS solution, it drives down time and workload in radar data processing by performing these tasks in the cloud, employing deep learning technology, and offers an enhanced tomography and detection of underground utility networks. The improved underground utility analysis and extraction can reduce project costs by up to 70%. AiMaps is another step towards Hexagon’s vision where data is fully leveraged so that business, industry and humanity sustainably thrive. This innovative solution will be a featured Tech Highlight at Hexagon’s flagship digital reality solutions conference HxGN Live Global in Las Vegas, NV, from June 20-23, 2022.

Further information visit: https://idsgeoradar.com/products/software/aimaps

AiMaps is a SaaS solution leveraging Artificial Intelligence to boost productivity, driving down time and workload in radar data processing and analysis: Experience an intelligent view on underground utilities. 

Heerbrugg, Switzerland – Leica Geosystems, part of Hexagon, today announced its autonomous reality capture products, the BLK ARC and the BLK2FLY have received Federal Communications Commission (FCC) certification.

Announced in September 2021 as part of Hexagon’s portfolio of reality capture sensors, the BLK2FLY and BLK ARC are the company’s first autonomous reality capture products. With the FCC certification, Leica Geosystems puts autonomous reality capture into the hands of a wider audience of  professionals in architecture, engineering and construction (AEC), Building Information Modeling (BIM), and unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) mapping.

The Leica BLK2FLY is the world’s first fully integrated, autonomous flying laser scanning sensor. It is the fastest, easiest, and most comprehensive way to accurately scan and capture the dimensions of an entire building from the air, especially hard to reach or inaccessible areas such as rooftops and façades. The product is operated through a companion app on a tablet to allow for fast, easy scanning, and does not require special training other than a UAV pilot’s license.

The Leica BLK ARC is a laser scanning sensor that can be attached to most robotics carriers. For example, by attaching the BLK ARC to Spot from Boston Dynamics, customers can safety scan and capture areas that are difficult or dangerous to reach on foot. With minimal user intervention, the scans and related data are uploaded to 3D point clouds showing panoramic images of changing environments.

“Autonomous reality capture plays a big role in construction and renovation. The data and scans are critical for understanding the architecture and infrastructure of areas and their impact on how we work, live, and respond to a growing population and climate change,” said Pascal Strupler, business director of autonomous reality capture at Hexagon Geosystems. “Through our FCC certification, customers are assured that the BLK2FLY and BLK ARC will meet their needs for autonomous reality capture in the air and on the ground.”

About Leica Geosystems

Revolutionising the world of measurement and survey for nearly 200 years, Leica Geosystems creates complete solutions for professionals across the planet. Known for premium products and innovative solution development, professionals in a diverse mix of industries, such as aerospace and defence, safety and security, construction, and manufacturing, trust Leica Geosystems for all their geospatial needs. With precise and accurate instruments, sophisticated software, and trusted services, Leica Geosystems delivers value every day to those shaping the future of our world.

Leica Geosystems is part of Hexagon (Nasdaq Stockholm: HEXA B; hexagon.com), a leading global provider of information technologies that drive quality and productivity improvements across geospatial and industrial enterprise applications.

GOF 2.0 is an EU-funded project focused on the safe integration of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) in urban airspace. LMT was chosen as the cellular network provider for the demonstration in Latvia, where the focus was on the integration of UAVs into urban areas for various purposes and the role of cellular networks, especially 5G coverage, in achieving this.

”Mobile networks and 5G will play a critical role in the successful incorporation of UAVs in common airspace. At the GOF2.0 Roadshow in Riga, LMT aims to demonstrate how mobile networks can support the safe inclusion of UAVs into the common air traffic by enabling UAV-to-UAV and UAV-to-ground communication. This is crucial for flight risk assessment and hence successful deployment of drone technologies.”

– Gints Jakovels, LMT Innovation Lead

”The combined capabilities of the GOF2.0 consortium are brought to different locations to demonstrate how it enables equitable access to airspace and supports Urban Air Mobility operations in complex airspace,” explained Maria Tamm, GOF2.0 project coordinator at Estonian Air Navigation Services (EANS).

During the demonstration that took place in the vicinity of Riga International Airport, four scenarios were executed under active air traffic conditions:

• Coordinated flights of piloted aviation and UAV in Riga airport

• First Responder UAS operation near Riga airport

• Inspection of a construction site

• Inspection of freeport of Riga in RIGA CTR

As noted by Maria Tamm, GOF2.0 project coordinator at EANS, the goal was to demonstrate and understand how easily Communications Navigation and Surveillance (CNS) and Aeronautical Information Manual (AIM) data and systems, as well as local unmanned and manned aircraft operators can be integrated into the GOF2.0 solution. This was to showcase the international scalability of the U-space architecture. U-space is an ecosystem facilitating a Safe and Secure Integration of drones.

To calculate where an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) can safely fly beyond the visual line of sight (BVLOS), LMT’s cellular network data were integrated into the Dimitor’s AirboneRF platform.

”The digitization of the airspace and the automation of the processes lay the foundation for BVLOS drone operations. This is what we, together with LMT, have demonstrated at GOF 2.0 trials in Latvia, using AirborneRF to analyze airspace connectivity and ground risk and seamlessly exchange the required 4G/5G network data from LMT with the U-Space.”

– Thomas Wana, CTO & Co-founder of Dimetor

The demonstration was organized by the GOF 2.0 consortium, LMT, Latvijas Gaisa Satiksme (LGS), METRUM, State Fire and Rescue Service Republic of Latvia, and AirBaltic Training. Demonstrations of the use of GOF 2.0 drones are in collaboration with the Comp4Drones project.

About LMT

LMT is a mobile telecommunications operator and market leader in Latvia, currently amongst the most efficient mobile data networks in the world. As a market leader, LMT brings its expertise to successful collaborations with international organizations, governmental, academic, and start-up ecosystem partners. LMT believes the future to be mobile-only and builds pioneering solutions based on cutting-edge wireless technology.

About GOF 2.0

GOF 2.0 is an international project for testing the shared airspace architecture of congested airspace. By organizing drone test flights, GOF 2.0 consortium aims to create a deeper understanding of unified airspace in which both unmanned and manned aircraft operate together.

This book is a valuable reference for educators to re-imagine their roles, redesign their curricula, and adopt very different pedagogical strategies to address this inevitability, particularly when they are introducing emerging technologies into transportation planning and development, infrastructure design, and traffic management. Key topics covered in the book include:

• 4IR technologies impacting the future of transportation;
• Surface transportation automation;
• Testing methods and technologies for autonomous vehicles;
• Emerging mobility services such as automated delivery and logistics, mobility as a service (MaaS), and mobility on demand (MOD);
• Shared bicycle and vehicle services, and first mile/last mile solutions;
• Cooperative and automated traffic control; and
• Major unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) technologies and their possible impacts on the future of transportation.

While of particular interest to educators, researchers, and students in the field of disruptive emerging transportation technologies, professionals of public and private sectors including engineers, managers, planners, and policymakers will find this an invaluable resource.

To purchase online, visit the ASCE Bookstore

From robot dogs to AI and drones, lab brings transformative Oracle and partner technologies together so customers can explore solutions to their toughest challenges 

DEERFIELD, Illinois– Oracle today opened the doors to its new 30,000-square-foot Oracle Industry Lab just outside of Chicago, Illinois. The working lab provides customers a hands-on environment to develop new ideas and create solutions leveraging technology from Oracle and more than 30 industry partners. Supported by Verizon 5G Ultra Wideband, the lab will first focus on the energy and water, construction and engineering, communications, and manufacturing industries. Later this year, Oracle will open a new sustainability and mobility-centered lab in Reading, England and a construction industry-focused lab in Sydney, Australia.

See the lab in action and hear from our partners participating at the lab today at: https://bit.ly/3xQ8Xne.

“The core technology used in the world’s most essential industries doesn’t run in an office, it runs on a construction site, in the utility operations center, on the manufacturing floor,” said Mike Sicilia, executive vice president of Oracle’s vertical industries. “So, why not let customers develop, test, and validate technology in similar environments? The lab brings these scenarios to life so that collectively, customers, partners, and Oracle can create solutions to fuel opportunity and solve the really tough problems these industries are facing.”

“We see huge value in a facility like the Oracle Industry Lab where we can test and validate new technologies in a simulated worksite environment,” said John Jurewicz, senior director of technology at Walbridge. “Once we prove the value and approach, it’s much easier to take them out to our own worksites and quickly scale them up.”

Utilities

Water, gas, and electric utilities are facing unprecedented regulatory, environmental, and customer-driven demands. Technology will play a critical role in helping them navigate these challenges and continue to deliver the safe, reliable, and clean water and energy resources that power our world. With simulated environments including a connected neighborhood and smart studio apartment, the lab will enable customers to experiment with technologies such as sensors to help relieve stress on the electric grid, drones and augmented reality to improve safety and efficiency in field work, and AI and behavioral science to guide households to be more energy efficient. Collaborators include Copper Labs, EDX Technologies, Inc., Constellation Clearsight, Micatu Inc., and Samsung SmartThings, Inc.

Communications

For service providers, 5G represents an opportunity to not only bring new, more reliable services and products to consumers, but also drive new revenue streams in the enterprise. These can range from powering robotic surgeries to smart factories. At the lab, visitors can experiment with how cloud native communications technologies are enabling automation and scaling to meet expected growth in 5G subscribers, connected devices, and demand for rapid service innovation. They will also be able to explore how service providers can partner with other industries to co-create B2B2X (business-to-business-to-X) offers and business models. For example, visitors will be able to use VR smart city scenarios to demonstrate how to engage residents using a cloud-based immersive gaming experience enabled by a service provider and ecosystem of partners. Coupled with Verizon 5G Ultra Wideband and Oracle’s communications 5G core network technology, visitors will be able to see the power of 5G in action across several complex scenarios. Collaborators include EDX Technologies, Inc., ESRI, and Verizon.

Construction and Engineering

The construction and engineering industry is rethinking every aspect of project delivery for both owners and builders as they confront material constraints, rising costs, shifting project types, and a retiring labor force. At the lab, Oracle and partners will explore the power of a connected ecosystem leveraging technologies such as visual progress monitoring, sensor-based tracking, digital twins, autonomous laser scanning, augmented reality, IoT, and more. Together with Oracle’s portfolio of construction and engineering solutions, these offerings will enable visitors to test and validate new solutions to inform predictive decision-making, reduce inefficiency, mitigate risk, and foster better outcomes. Collaborators include CAXperts, ESRI, FARO Technologies, Inc., Hilti, Intelliwave Technologies, Milwaukee Tool, Newmetrix, OpenSpace, Reconstruct, Skydio, Inc., Triax Technologies, VREX, and WakeCap Technologies.

Manufacturing

A global pandemic, extreme supply chain and labor shortages, and increasing customer expectations are forcing manufacturers to adapt faster than ever. To compete, companies need to digitize their businesses and increase connectivity throughout their operations by embedding technologies such as IoT, AI, augmented reality, digital twins, predictive analytics, and factory automation. The smart manufacturing lab enables customers to experiment with these technologies to demonstrate their impact on efficiency, quality control, customer satisfaction, and sustainability. Collaborators include KanbanBOX, Mitsubishi Electric Automation, Inc., Omron Automation Americas, RF-SMART, and TrueCommerce, Inc.

Learn more about the Oracle Industry Labs at www.oracle.com/innovation.

All submitted Engineering Drone Video of the Year Contest videos will be viewed and judged by a prestigious panel of judges to select the top 10 to be voted on publicly. Voting is May 18-27th. The winner will be announced in the July issue of Civil + Structural Engineer Magazine.

Kelly Brezovar – Hollaway Environmental & Communications

Ms. Kelly Brezovar, PWS has a multi-disciplinary background in environmental services, including managing and leading projects for federal and state permitting, wetland delineations, threatened and endangered species surveys, ecological modeling, submerged aquatic vegetation (SAV) surveys, oyster surveys, nesting surveys, and environmental inspections throughout the southwest. Ms. Brezovar brings a wealth of experience from oil and gas, dredging, public infrastructure, private development, beneficial use, and mitigation projects. Ms. Brezovar has over 10 years of experience in environmental consulting as a professional wetland scientist, USFWS permitted wildlife biologist, and FAA certified drone pilot.

Alexey Dobrobolsky – SPH Engineering

SPH Engineering is a multiproduct drone software company and UAV integration services provider. Founded in 2013 in Latvia (EU) as a UAV mission planning and flight control start-up, the company has evolved from a developer of a single flagman product UgCS to a market leader of multiple drone solutions. Today the company has created a rich global customer and reseller network in 150+ countries while over 45 percent of partners are located in North America.  Alexey Dobrobolsky is Chief Technical Officer, Member of The Board and Co-Founder at SPH Engineering. He has introduced a number of solutions recognized by the global market like the software to manage drone shows and  drone-based industrial product lines. As of today he is responsible for strategy management and development. He likes to work a lot in a field to test SPH solutions in real life scenarios.

Luke Carothers – Civil + Structural Engineer

Editor at Civil+Structural Engineer Media–Luke Carothers has been writing about the AEC industry for the past three years, and he has been involved in a number of drone-related competitions by way of judging panels.  Through his writing, research, and involvement in drone competitions, Luke has developed a passion for unmanned systems and a unique perspective on the role they play in the AEC industry.

Robert Lednor – Global Unmanned Systems (GUS)

Rob founded GUS in 2012 and has since been responsible for the operation of drones on some of the largest construction projects in the world, including Bechtel’s Wheatstone LNG project in Australia and Chevron’s Tengiz Future Growth Project in Kazakhstan. Specialising in complex operations, this has led various “country-firsts” in places such as Timor-Leste and Papua New Guinea.

Helen Pukszta – Drone Arrival

Helen Pukszta is president and co-founder of Drone Arrival, a company that offers complete UAS solutions and integrated drone-based systems for commercial, industrial, professional, research, and government applications. With more than 20 years helping businesses innovate through technology, she has extensive leadership, advisory, and research experience, particularly as it relates to incorporating technology considerations into business strategies and plans and their implementation. Helen leads Drone Arrival’s strategic vision, services, and operations, with the goal of enabling private and public sector organizations to apply drone technologies as the foundation for a new breed of novel solutions. She is passionate about creating breakthrough results through innovation and using drones and unmanned technology to help people and organizations achieve more.

Chris Fink – Unmanned Vehicle Technologies (UVT)

Since founding the company in 2014, Chris has worked in nearly every role imaginable. Currently, he spends the majority of his time cultivating new and existing partner relationships, while also serving as the company’s COO and CIO, helping manage operations and technology for the business.

Enter for a chance to see yourself featured on the cover of Civil + Structural Engineer Magazine as well as various UgCS software! More info here.

Contest Rules and Prizes

As the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in January sparked a new wave of autonomous vehicles (AVs) coming to the automotive market in the next few years, much focus as of late has been on the technology of these vehicles themselves. However, the technology embedded in road infrastructure is also beginning to see more conversation between service providers and municipalities.

With advancements in artificial intelligence (AI) and 5G network connectivity, smart-road infrastructure technology offers the promise of being added to many different roads, bridges, and other transit systems across the U.S. in hopes of improving real-time traffic analytics and tackling the most challenging road safety and traffic management problems. One technology at the center of this discussion is on the present-day use of AI-enhanced cameras and tomorrow’s promise of LiDAR technology.

Artificial Intelligence Enhances Camera Sensing Performance 

Today, there are hundreds of thousands of traffic cameras deployed in the U.S. alone, and even millions more when CCTV cameras are considered. They are mainly used for road monitoring and basic traffic management applications (e.g., loop emulation). However, bringing the latest advancements of AI to these assets can immediately improve basic application performance and unlock more advanced software applications and use-cases.

AI and Machine Learning deliver superior sensing performance over traditional computer vision techniques found in legacy cameras. They enable more robust, flexible, and accurate detection, tracking and classification of all road users with algorithms that can automatically adapt to various lighting and weather conditions. In addition, they allow for predictive capabilities to better model road user movements and behaviors, and improve road safety. Agencies can immediately benefit from AI-enhanced cameras with applications such as road conflict detection and analysis, pedestrian crossing prediction and infrastructure sensing for AV deployments.

LiDAR Technology Cannot Fully Replace Cameras

LiDAR can provide complementary and sometimes overlapping value with cameras. However, there are still several safety critical edge cases where LiDAR technology does not perform well (e.g., heavy rain and snow, granular classification), and where cameras have been proven to handle better. Moreover, today’s LiDAR technology remains expensive to deploy at scale due to its high unit price and limited field of view. As an example, it would take multiple LiDARs at a hefty investment to be deployed in a single intersection, where just one 360-degree AI-camera can be a more cost-effective solution.

For many budget-focused communities, AI-cameras remain the proven technology of choice today. Over time, as the cost of LiDAR technology moderates, communities should evaluate augmenting their infrastructure with such sensors.

Eventually, Sensor Fusion Will Drive Strong Results

When the cost of LiDAR technology eventually sees an anticipated reduction, it will be viewed as a strong and viable addition to the AI-enhanced cameras that are being installed today. Similar to autonomous vehicles, sensor fusion would be the go-to approach for smart infrastructure solutions and would allow to maximize the benefits of both technologies.

See the table below for a comparison of relative performance of Cameras vs. LiDARs.

The use of a cost-effective and performing AI-powered camera today, combined with the great potential of LiDAR in the coming years, would help communities and municipalities achieve a win-win scenario today and tomorrow.

At the end of the day, the goal is clear in improving overall traffic flow and eliminating road crashes and fatalities, but the technology and implementation strategy has to be right in doing so. The technology monitoring our roads needs to change too, thus calling for the consideration of AI-powered cameras today with the promise of LiDAR tomorrow.

Dr. Georges Aoude and Karl Jeanbart are co-founders of Derq, an MIT spinoff powering the future of connected and autonomous roads, making cities smarter and safer for all road users, and enabling the deployment of autonomous vehicles at scale. Derq provides cities and fleets with an award-winning and patented smart infrastructure Platform powered by AI that helps them tackle the most challenging road safety and traffic management problems.

The UgCS SkyHub hardware is a unique UAV onboard computer to support the collection of data from diverse sensors. The 1st generation version of UgCS SkyHub was developed in 2017 to integrate a low-frequency GPR system with DJI M600 Pro drone. Since then its functions have been constantly improved, connectivity possibilities have been extended, support for more types of drones and sensors have been added.

As of today the functions of UgCS SkyHub allow to maintain flights of UAVs with a mounted sensor (like a magnetometer, echo sounder, metal detector etc) and to collect data from sensors like GPR, methane detector, gamma radiation counter, etc. which don’t have an internal data logger. Data is recorded in CSV format as well as in the formats compatible with specialized software for sensor data processing (SEG-Y, NMEA-0183, etc.). The True Terrain Following mode allows to automatically keep constant elevation over surface using real-time data from radar or laser altimeter while the Grasshopper mode allows to fly between waypoints at safe altitude and make measurements.

‘The 3d generation of UgCS SkyHub thanks to its 5x serial ports, Ethernet, Bluetooth and WiFi connections provides virtually endless capabilities for sensors integration. The 1st generation of SkyHub born back in 2017 had only 1 port for an external sensor, much less computation power and memory. Latest hardware will be our basement for integration and custom solutions for the next few years until we will not create something even more powerful and exciting,’ Alexey Dobrovolskiy, CTO at SPH Engineering, comments.

The UgCS SkyHub hardware is compatible with all popular commercial-off-the-shelf enterprise drones and platforms, including DJI M300 and M210 series as well as Pixhawk-based drones with ArduCopter and PX4 firmware like Hexadrone Tundra. Power for UgCS SkyHub is provided from the drone’s main battery. UgCS SkyHub eliminates the need to have a separate battery or power circuit for the sensors.

To learn more watch the video, read the data sheet and join the webinar on May 5.

 When artificial intelligence systems encounter scenes where objects are not fully visible, it has to make estimations based only on the visible parts of the objects. This partial information leads to detection errors, and large training data is required to correctly recognize such scenes. Now, researchers at the Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology have developed a framework that allows robot vision to detect such objects successfully in the same way that we perceive them.

Robotic vision has come a long way, reaching a level of sophistication with applications in complex and demanding tasks, such as autonomous driving and object manipulation. However, it still struggles to identify individual objects in cluttered scenes where some objects are partially or completely hidden behind others. Typically, when dealing with such scenes, robotic vision systems are trained to identify the occluded object based only on its visible parts. But such training requires large datasets of objects and can be pretty tedious.

Associate Professor Kyoobin Lee and Ph.D. student Seunghyeok Back from the Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology (GIST) in Korea found themselves facing this problem when they were developing an artificial intelligence system to identify and sort objects in cluttered scenes. “We expect a robot to recognize and manipulate objects they have not encountered before or been trained to recognize. In reality, however, we need to manually collect and label data one by one as the generalizability of deep neural networks depends highly on the quality and quantity of the training dataset,” says Mr. Back.

In a new study accepted at the 2022 IEEE International Conference on Robotics and Automation, a research team led by Prof. Lee and Mr. Back developed a model called “unseen object amodal instance segmentation” (UOAIS) for detecting occluded objects in cluttered scenes. To train the model in identifying object geometry, they developed a database containing 45,000 photorealistic synthetic images containing depth information. With this (limited) training data, the model was able to detect a variety of occluded objects. Upon encountering a cluttered scene, it first picked out the object of interest and then determines if the object is occluded by segmenting the object into a “visible mask” and an “amodal mask.”

The researchers were excited by the results. “Previous methods are limited to either detecting only specific types of objects or detecting only the visible regions without explicitly reasoning over occluded areas. By contrast, our method can infer the hidden regions of occluded objects like a human vision system. This enables a reduction in data collection efforts while improving performance in a complex environment,” comments Mr. Back.

To enable “occlusion reasoning” in their system, the researchers introduced a “hierarchical occlusion modeling” (HOM) scheme, which assigned a hierarchy to the combination of multiple extracted features and their prediction order. By testing their model against three benchmarks, they validated the effectiveness of the HOM scheme, which achieved state-of-the-art performance.

The researchers are hopeful about the future prospects of their method. “Perceiving unseen objects in a cluttered environment is essential for amodal robotic manipulation. Our UOAIS method could serve as a baseline on this front,” says Mr. Back.

It certainly looks like a giant leap for robotic vision!

In a project funded by the European Commission, 13 project partners from nine countries are currently collaborating on a scheme which will result in the creation of a working machine with the potential, with further development, to allow a hull of a ship to be repaired at sea, removing the costly requirement for it to travel to the nearest dry dock.

The innovative RESURGAM (Robotic Survey, Repair and Agile Manufacture) Project will allow a responsive repair to be carried out, from a remote distance, anywhere in the world, and will save industry a substantial amount of time and money as well as making it safer by taking away the need for specialist divers to work in often hazardous conditions.

A team of engineering experts at UK company Forth was appointed as the technical managers of the project due to the company’s 20 years of experience in working in hazardous environments and previous experience of building bespoke friction stir welding tools, such as the recent development of the FSWBot machine – an innovation robotic crawler devised for internal repair and refurbishment of oil pipelines.

The team has successfully completed a Functional Means Analysis to establish all functions of the new tool, and carried out a full optioneering process to decide on the concept model.

A first concept design for both the welding head and frame mechanics has also been completed, and it will be developed in the coming months.

Chris Downham, Forth’s operations manager, said: “The RESURGAM Project is such an exciting initiative to be involved with and having so much input from companies from across Europe shows the true power of collaboration with each representative bringing a unique set of skills to the project.

“Being involved as the technical manager of the project is a huge feather in the cap for Forth and it is proof of how advanced we are becoming as a company by being invited to share our expertise on such a groundbreaking innovation.

“We are thrilled to have reached a major milestone in completing the concept design and our team of extremely talented engineers look forward to taking the project to the next level as we play a key role in developing this innovative technology which will significantly boost the industry.”

The challenge for Forth is to design a bespoke friction stir welding tool which can be mounted to the side of a ship’s hull and can conduct a friction stir weld, underwater in a vertical plane, between a repair patch and the defective area of the hull.

One of the biggest obstacles to overcome is securing the machine to the hull. The team has designed a circular track frame to hold the weld head which will be secured to the hull via a frame using four R1000 electromagnets which each need to produce 7.5 tonnes of force and enable the weld head the required Z-axis force to continue to weld.

The system will be tested in the company’s Deep Test Pond, one of the largest facilities of its kind in the UK as it measures 22.5 metres long, 10 meters wide and six metres wide – holding up to 1.2 million litres of water.

Now a concept design has been completed, Forth’s engineers will now start a detailed design programme using analysis from the design risk assessment to explore the functions the robot requires and to also identify early design and functional complications.

On completion of this process, the design will be reviewed for a final time to progress the project on to the final stages, which include the manufacturing of the system for use on active ships.

Forth is working with the following partners on the RESURGAM Project: The Welding Institute; University of Lancaster’s Joining 4 Innovation Centre; Element Six (all UK); ACLUNAGA (Spain); AISTER (Spain); European Welding Federation (Portugal); University of Limerick (Ireland); TU Delft (The Netherlands): STIRWELD (France); Engitec Systems International (Cyprus); GISBIR (Turkey).

“We continue to see an increase of industries utilizing drones to improve efficiencies and overall better deliverables. From the real-estate market to engineering to emergency responders, all of these industries continue to increase drone usage to deliver a better product or service,” says John Nelson, vice president of BBI International and UAS Magazine. “The industry directory will help other industries find pilots and companies who can help them utilize UAS technology.”

The UAS Industry Directory will be included with the printed version of UAS Magazine and will be distributed to more than 6,500 UAS professionals including attendees of the UAS Summit & Expo in Grand Forks, North Dakota. A digital version will be available year-round to a global audience of nearly 67,000.

Each company is eligible for one free listing in the directory. Additional options are available for purchase. Companies who would like a free listing can go to the UAS Industry Directory and fill out the online form.

As LiDAR sensors become more and more popular, the webinar by SPH Engineering will focus on training drone pilots new to UgCS flight planning software on how to effectively plan survey missions for LiDAR. This will include knowledge useful for new as well as intermediate users of UgCS.

The webinar will also cover topics such as flight planning with terrain following and flying with UgCS offline. In addition, the webinar will cover the workflow of how to gather DSM/DTM data and use both datasets to plan safe and efficient magnetic surveys.

Webinar agenda:

• Connecting your drone to UgCS
• Simple flight planning with terrain following
• LiDAR Area scan planning
• LiDAR Corridor scan planning
• Adding calibration segments
• Route management and export
• Using custom maps and elevation models
• Tips for using UgCS offline
• Q&A

Join us on April 7, 6 PM (GMT+3) for the live webinar to have a quick-start guide on flight planning for LiDAR in UgCS.

8 AM Los Angeles, CA, USA (PST = GMT-7)
10:00 Mexico City, Mexico (CST = GMT-6)
11:00 Toronto, Canada (EST = GMT-4)
11 AM New York, NY, USA (EST = GMT-4)
17:00 Berlin, Germany (CET = GMT+2)
18:00 Riga, Latvia (EET = GMT+3)
19:00 Dubai, UAE (GMT+4)
23:00 Beijing, China (CST = GMT+8)
00:00 Tokyo, Japan (JST = GMT+9)

Register Here