Traditional Data Collection Versus Aerial Data Collection: Which Is Better?

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(Newswire.net — January 18, 2021) —

Data has come to the forefront of businesses of all kinds throughout the world. Everything from marketing to land surveying requires data to be collected. Technology is advancing at incredible rates when it comes to data collection. Traditional data collection of pieces of land or for the safety of infrastructure takes quite a bit of time. Drone technology can be used for a plethora of things, whether it is personal videos or the modeling of a building. Mapping software has become far more advanced than ever before with improvements on the horizon even with the surge in use. The amount of data that is collected can be useless if the data is not extremely accurate. The following will be the comparison of aerial versus traditional data collection. 

Aerial Collection is Faster 

Traditional data collection relies on humans which are far slower than that of drones. Safety inspection data collection methods can be dangerous to do in the traditional manner. Drones help increase the safety of data collection whether the inspection is being done on a bridge or pipeline. Limitations used to exist before the improvement of mapping software, which as previously mentioned, has come into a new age of efficiency. Costs can be driven down for companies utilizing drones as a few people on a team can help map out a giant area rather than a team with more individuals on the ground. 

Drone Mapping Gathers More Data 

Drone mapping produces so much more data that it is staggering. Drone mapping can provide so much more data than that of traditional mapping. The added data is done in a fraction of the time although you must utilize someone that has the experience to process and interpret the data. Creating accurate 3D models of an area with surfaces included can provide data for those constructing a building that traditional data collection cannot. Traditional data collection also has limitations when it comes to existing buildings being modified. Human error is also eliminated utilizing drones as humans can forget to map certain data points. This requires the entire team to go back to the site to collect, which only adds to the cost of the project. 

The Entire Site Will Be Mapped 

As mentioned above, going back to the site to collect data is a rare occurrence when using drones. The images and data collected by the drone will be saved, which makes for easy data viewing. Collecting data in the traditional manner can be far less accurate as certain aspects of a site will be missed. Forgetting to capture a light pole or fire hydrant can impact a project’s integrity. Being able to go back to view the data is important as certain aspects of the project might not be needed immediately but will be required in the future. Looking into LiDAR services is sure to help save money while collecting data in a more accurate and expansive manner. 

The future of drone technology is exciting as there are sure to be a plethora of other uses. With virtual reality improving, a person can walk a site without physically having to be there. German companies have been utilizing this, as a professional can do this from the comfort of their office. Graphics are sure to improve with time as virtual reality and AI begin to be implemented with drone technology.