Drone Services
GSD offer drone surveys and post survey imagery processing and analysis. At GSD we have experienced drone operators who can collect high resolution imagery, videos and 3D data to support clients with bespoke applications in the environmental sector, including land cover and habitat classification, forest inventory, ecological surveys, topographic mapping and precision agriculture. We can use data collected using drones to classify objects, habitats and calculate a range of metrics; orthomosaics and digital elevation models can also be provided to clients ready to be imported into GIS or CAD software.
Examples of products that we can deliver for our clients include:
1. Orthomosaics (RGB imagery) with a spatial resolution of 3–10 cm.
2. Digital Elevation Models (DEM) providing surface height with a vertical accuracy of ± 15 cm over non-vegetated terrain.
3. Canopy Height Models (CHM) providing vegetation height measurements (vertical accuracy dependent on vegetation type and canopy cover).
4. Classified 3D point clouds and 3D meshes for a range of applications.
Example: Aerial Surveys of Artificial Landscapes
An example of drone services includes aerial surveys of artificial landscapes to synthesise 3D models. This 3D model illustrates how aerial imagery can be used to survey commercial and residential properties. This building was surveyed in 1 hour by two drone operators (one pilot and one spotter keeping an eye out for pedestrians encroaching onto the site). A total of 518 photos were mosaicked together to create a 3D mesh ready to be imported into CAD software for measurement and visualisation.