Presentation by Cascadian Aerial Robotics LLC about how drones are helping Construction firms with aerial inspections, Mapping, virtual walk-throughs , BIM and VDC. For more information, head to https://www.cascadianaerialrobotics.com

2. Who we are
We are drone technology enthusiasts that strive to deliver not only perceived but
measurable value. We do this by processing aerial data through photography, video and
mapping data acquisition, and we do it with the highest safety standards and compliance.

3. How unmanned
aerial vehicles can
help manage my
construction?
By Adrian Padilla Vega / Chief Pilot with
Cascadian Aerial Robotics

5. Workflows for Project
Management and Drones
• Progress Tracking and Reporting.
• Site planning.
• Identification of safety hazards.
• Virtual visits.
• Infrastructure and equipment inspections.
• Marketing.
• Contractor management.
• Permanent record of installation.
• Measurements.

6. Progress tracking and
reporting
• Job site documentation is essential for
every general contractor. Whether you
need to share the state of a project with
clients and stakeholders, monitor site
changes over time, or dispute claims
down the road—you’ll need to capture
progress photos over the course of a
project.

7. Progress
tracking and
reporting
• Drones offer an angle that
otherwise would be very
difficult to obtain: the
possibility of looking at the
whole site in the same
picture.
• Drones are equipped with
Satellite Positioning systems
(GPS and GLONASS) as well
as a compass. This ensures
that a photography can be
taken consistently over time.

8. Example deliverables for
Progress tracking and
reporting
• A 3D modeled map. An interactive
3D rendering to walk virtually
through the site. This is render can
be shared with stakeholders.
• Optionally, video can rendered
to walk through or even
combine different maps in time
to create a “3D time-lapse”.

9. Example deliverables for
Progress tracking and
reporting (cont.)
• Progress photography. Can be consistently
taken in the same place and angle to be
compared side to side or across many
weeks.
• Orbiting videos. A flight around the site,
emphasizing whatever you need.
• Time-lapse. Another use for progress
photography. We can render a video to
showcase the advance over months or even
years, at the pace desired (daily or weekly),
with the option of negotiating sliding pace
over the course of the project.

10. Site planning
• Even before starting, drones can be
used for a wide variety of things.
• Overlay drone maps with site plans
such as utility, wastewater, and
equipment clearances. Compare
real-time site conditions against
plans. Catch conflicts early and
redirect them at minimal cost.
• 3D terrain modeling. Simply for
viewing, or to obtain a digital
surface model (DSM) to visualize
the terrain elevation differences.
This can be used, for example, to
detect drainage issues

11. Site planning
• Site mapping. With the addition of ground control points to the
mapping process, a 3D model can provide very accurate
distance measurements. It is worth mentioning that these
measurements does not happen only in a two-dimensional
plane, but over the x,y and z axes, as GPS signals measure
distance in a 3D space. Even though interpretation is not
provided (as surveyor licensing is required), drones can
provide useful insights for engineers and planners.
• Hyperspectral imaging (not currently offered). Drones can be
used to analyze the components in a terrain, giving a visual
representation of the different substances present in the soil
and even underneath. So far there hasn’t been any demand for
Cascadian Aerial Robotics to acquire and be trained in the use
of this tech.

12. Example deliverables for site
planning
• Shareable, cloud hosted
3D model of the site.
• Export drone maps into
industry software, BIM,
GIS and CAD.
• Orthomosaic map with the
capability of providing
distances from points in
the map.
• Volume calculation of
stockpiles, cut and fill, etc.
Exportable to CSV or
GeoJSON.
• All can be accessed and
recalculated online

13. Safety
• Drones can be used to inspect difficult to
reach places, saving the need of scaling
that roof to check some damage or
climbing up a scaffolding to perform and
inspection of a newly built wall.
• Using 3D models, security inspectors can
identify risk areas, misplaced equipment
etc.
• Whenever there is an accident or situation
posing a hazard for humans, a robot can
be sent to asses the risk remotely. Please
note that in case of highly flammable
situations such as a gas leak, sending
drones with brushless motors would pose
a risk. Also, high tension environments
can affect the electronics of UAVs.
• Using a FLIR (thermal) camera different
risks can be identified and assessed, such
as leaks, electric hazards etc. without a
human approaching the risk. Available
upon request on contract.

14. Virtual visits
• There are many stakeholders involved in
a construction site. How do we maintain
all of them appraised and up to date to
what it is happening at the site? How can
we save them numerous trips?
• Telepresence has been solved for many
scenarios. How do we solve it for the work
site?
• What can we do with a drone:
• Establish a live feed session over the
internet from the drone. Receive
instructions in real time about what
the inspector wants to fly over and
see.
• Build a 3D model of the site and
deliver via web, with the possibility of
rotation and close inspection.

15. Infrastructure and equipment
inspection
• The work site is full of elements that are physically
difficult to reach by a human. When we have to look
at something up close, it occasionally requires
someone climbing up to it, creating a safety risk.
• Cranes can be used for many scenarios but what if
the observed object is in an awkward position for the
crane to get close.
• Drones can be used to get very close to objects
from above and the side.

16. Infrastructure and
equipment inspection
• Objects desired to be observed from below, on
top (zenith) of the drone can be observed with a
special setup and improved skills which are
difficult to get from the average pilot, as typically
this scenario blocks GPS signal, forcing to
perform a free (Atti mode) flight.
• During the inspection, drones can get so close
to the equipment in a safe manner, that
descriptions, serial numbers and even readable
barcodes can be recorded.

17. Marketing
• Every company needs marketing, no matter what industry you are, either traditional or
digital / social marketing.
• A common denominator of whatever the strategy of your marketing is the need of great
imagery.
• Most drone companies also offer real estate photography and videography.
• What differentiates Cascadian Aerial Robotics from the competition:
• We know that despite many marketable skills are necessary for a drone business, the
most important one remains the same: the pilot skills. Focusing on flying and smooth
capture of video.
• Given the technical background at our disposal, we can provide any level, including
end to end web development, social media setup and search engine optimization
(SEO).
• We are resourceful. We have contact with design professionals that help us close any
creative gap we have in house.

18. Contractor
Management
Any of the described workflows can be used to monitor
contractor work.
You can perform the acquisition so quickly that can be
ready and reviewed even before the contractor leaves
the site.
You can quickly monitor for progress, completeness and
quality.

19. Permanent record of
installation
• Drones can provide a unique view from
the sky to provide for PRI.
• Orthomosaic maps are a very useful
resource to achieve a unified view of
large layouts.

20. Some mapping deliverable formats

21. Use of drones in construction
By phase By role
Source: Drone Deploy

22. Using
drone vs
traditional
acquisition
Source: Drone Deploy

23. Safety features of the
Phantom 4 Pro v2
• The stability of a UAV is provided by an Inertial
Measurement Unit, which is comprised by
accelerometers, gyroscopes and magnetometers.
• The use of GPS and GLONASS systems is used to
maintain a drone in a geostationary position while it
is not maneuvered.
• In conditions of low GPS signal, a Visual
Positioning System (VPS) is issued to minimize the
drifting by making corrections based on references
in the ground below the drone.
• The Phantom has infrared proximity sensors as
obstacle sensing system. For closer inspections
they can be deactivated. Propeller guards can be
mounted as a protective measure when close for
inspections.

24. Safety features of the Phantom 4 Pro v2
Source: DJI website

25. Safety information and
characteristics of the DJI
Phantom 4 Pro v2
• Dead weight: 1388 g (3.06 pounds) including
battery and propellers.
• Operating frequencies: 2.400 - 2.483 GHz and
5.725 - 5.825 GHz
• Operating voltage: 1.2 A@7.4 V
• Full Phantom 4 Pro specs:
https://www.dji.com/phantom-4-pro/info

26. Why hiring an FAA certified
pilot
• The peace of mind that the pilot:
• Has been vetted by the FAA
and TSA
• Knows reading sectional
charts to be aware of manned
aviation patterns around the
operation, and requesting
clearance in case of proximity
with airports.
• Knows the climate elements,
maintenance procedures and
other conditions that affect the
performance of their aircraft,
making it highly unlikely of an
accident.
• Operates under the rules of
the FAA that ensure a safe
flight.
• You are protected by the law and
an insurer.
• Drone operations are insured
from $1M to $10M from by
drone-specific insurers.

27. Why working with Cascadian Aerial Robotics?
• We will not just come and take pictures and give you the deliverables. We are going to
work towards your goals and figure out how we can leverage imagery to increase your
business. We like to deliver actionable information. We focus on outcome, not just output.
• With our chief pilot’s background in computer science (Adrian is currently a Microsoft
employee), we can customize a system and workflow that works for your specific needs.
We can also leverage this expertise in your online presence and search engine
optimization if that is the case.
• We are part of DroneU, the best and most elite drone pilot community in the U.S. where
we have access to industry experts for consultation and training for any specific needs
you have. We have direct relationship with experts in the construction industry specifically.

28. Thank you.