Drones in construction are all the craze right now, but they have boundless capabilities that are unknown to much of the industry. These machines are more than just flying robots that can record video and take pictures, they have the ability to alter the way construction does business. Take a look at 5 things that you never knew you could do with drones in construction.
- Drones in Swarms
Research institutes in Europe are working hard researching Swarm Theory for drone technology. By mimicking how ants and bees build, they are looking to replicate those same actions by using drones and software. When using multiple drones in swarms, the machines can lift heavy equipment and materials to any point on a construction site without limitations. In essence, this type of technology is looking to replace cranes on the worksite forever.
- Surveying Dangerous Tunnels
Drones are already being praised for their ability to survey dangerous sites. But did you know that drones are being used to survey dangerous tunnels? In places like mines that have collapsed or have high amounts of gas, drones are being used to move through spaces where robots cannot due to their lack of mobility. With previously inaccessible places now being opened up, construction can reach further than ever before.
- Drones that Can Paint
Two months ago in New York City, a drone was used to graffiti across the city’s biggest and most seen billboard. Now, researchers all over the world are working on equipping drones with paint cans to aid in commercial construction. They hope to have drones carry enough paint to work on large portions of buildings at a time, and speed up the process in which we paint buildings today.
- High-Speed Wireless Internet
Drones are being used to provide high-speed wireless Internet in areas that don’t have connectivity options.Working in the same nature that Google’s high-speed weather balloons do (providing coverage from a large balloon in the air), drones fly into the air to find wireless data points easily which are then transmitted back towards the ground. The benefits of using drones in this way is that Internet connection can easily be provided to an entire construction worksite. With better connection comes faster data, and big data is something every business wants.
- Tool Delivery
Drones aren’t only looking to deliver pizza and Amazon boxes. Drones are working as aids on construction sites to help workers get things done faster. Drone delivery is being researched and developed worldwide, and soon, drones will be able to deliver tools right to workers. Did you forget a tool 40 stories down? All you’ll have to do is ask the drone to get it for you.
Drones have amazing capabilities, and these five things only just scratch the surface. But what we can know for sure is that these little guys will play one big role in construction for some years to come.
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