How does drone photogrammetry actually work?

This article provides an overview of how drone photogrammetry works. It covers the planning stage, flight operations, image processing, 3D model creation, and data analysis.

Drone photogrammetry is a technique that uses images captured by drones to create accurate maps and 3D models of objects, terrain, and buildings. Here is a general overview of how it works:

1. Planning: The first step in drone photogrammetry is to plan the mission. This involves selecting the area to be surveyed and creating a flight plan for the drone. The flight plan will dictate the altitude, speed, and camera settings for the drone. To do this you will need flight planning software such as Dronelink.

2. Flight: Once the mission is planned, the drone is launched and flies over the area to be surveyed, capturing a series of overlapping images. The drone's onboard camera takes high-resolution photos from different angles and heights, typically using a downward-facing camera to capture the images. To do this you will need flight planning software such as Dronelink.

3. Image processing: The images captured by the drone are then uploaded into a mission you’ve set up in the Birdi platform and requested processing. Our processing solution uses algorithms to identify common points in the images, such as corners or edges, and creates a 3D model of the object or terrain.

4. Orthophoto creation: Drone photogrammetry can be used to create an orthophoto. An orthophoto is a geometrically corrected aerial photograph that has been adjusted to remove perspective distortion, resulting in an image that has a uniform scale throughout. This is achieved by combining the drone images with GPS data and using photogrammetry software to create a seamless, high-resolution image of the surveyed area.

5. 3D model creation: The 3D model is then created using the data generated by Birdi. This model can be used to create maps, measure distances and volumes, and create visualisations of the surveyed area.

6. Analysis: The data collected through drone photogrammetry can be used for a variety of purposes, including urban planning, land surveying, agriculture, and environmental monitoring. The accuracy of the data depends on the quality of the images captured by the drone and the precision of Birdi.

In summary, drone photogrammetry uses drones and Birdi to capture and process images, creating accurate 3D models of objects and terrain, as well as orthophotos.