Researchers Jian Xu and Hua Dai have developed a new path planning model for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) that takes wind conditions into account, po...
Either bridge inspectors get paid a hell of a lot less per hour than I think they do, or the company doing the drone inspections is way overcharging. One relatively inexperienced pilot could fly the full structure of the bridge throw it into point cloud software and drop off a highly detailed 3d model of every inch of the bridge to be inspected from the comfort of someone's desk.
No OSHA, no driving a crane truck, no having to retract and re-extend the bucket around every structural element, no netting, no walkways or temporary bridges needing to be made.
I'm no expert on inspecting bridges, but I'd think that you still would need a professional inspector to do the inspecting, only that they would save the time of actually travelling out to the bridge themselves and instead could do it in their office, no?
And then there are probably things which still need to be done on site, such as non-visual inspections (ultrasound, X-Ray, Vibration testing, Tourque measuring on bolts, paint thickness,...? IDK)
Visual inspection is an important starting point to determine if you need more extensive testing. You get a sense of the area, bridge type, and age of the bridge. This would be great for younger bridges that are low risk but should have a visual once over every couple years or so.
30% cost reduction vs current drone systems which can't tolerate wind. I'm guessing more air+recharge time, damaged drones, skilled pilots, etc. all add up
When you do bridge inspection you have to be real close to the structure. And basically stationary as well. You are looking for minuscule gaps and other damages.
You can easily do a 3D map from afar but that won’t have anywhere near the resolution required.