SPAIN: Unmanned Aerial Vehicle UAV scales new heights as 3D architecture tool

Record ID: 231641

  • Title: SPAIN: Unmanned Aerial Vehicle UAV scales new heights as 3D architecture tool
  • Date: 15th August 2012
  • Summary: (SOUNDBITE) (English) GERMAN (PRON: HERMAN) ARROYO, ASSISTANT PROFESSOR AT UNIVERSITY OF GRANADA, SAYING: "This drone can scan a building very quickly, for example, by using several flights and it is very fast to replace the battery, so we can land the drone on the ground and replace the battery and fly it again in order to do the reconstruction (3D modelling). And all the
  • Embargoed: 30th August 2012 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Spain
  • Country: Spain
  • Topics: Business,Science
  • Reuters ID: LVA9U330XFV89GVEPAEZOXO3OD2Y
  • Story Text: Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) or drones are normally associated with covert military operations, but engineers at the University of Granada in Spain have adapted the technology to offer unique and previously unobtainable views of historic buildings and monuments.
    The engineers say the advanced manoeuvrability of UAVs will give them a new perspective on design and construction.
    The University of Granada's vehicle, one of several in development world-wide, uses an on-board 3D imaging system to scan the facade of a building from just a few inches away allowing for unprecedented detail and accuracy. The drone is also small enough to fit into previously inaccessible spaces to scan a building or monument from within. The data is then fed into a computer which builds a precise 3D representation of the structure - inside and out.
    The information that is gathered can have a variety of applications, such as the academic study of historical architecture and engineering. Archaeologists have used 3D scanning technology to try and understand some of ancient history's greatest mysteries, including new theories on the construction of Egypt's Great Pyramid. Scholars from Stanford University and the University of Washington have also created 3D images of works by Renaissance artist Michelangelo, some of which are detailed enough to reveal the artist's chisel marks.
    Antonia Moraeles Garcia from Intelligenia Dynamics, the company building the prototype UAV alongside the University of Granada, says the technology on board the drone gives it the stability to make the most accurate scans.
    "It has eight different rotors... and it also has GPS which comes here. And this camera, which is all the time pointing down, is a special sensor which will help us stabilise the copter and avoid drifting," he said.
    Creating a 3D image by scanning isn't a new technology, however the aerial drone makes achieving accurate scans much easier.
    "Our methods enable us to obtain elements that are very difficult to obtain with other kinds of technology like 3D scanners. Mainly because the drone can fly very close to the building and we don't need any kind of element to place the drone in that part of the building. For example, we don't need any kind of crane that is need is traditional 3D scanning," said German Arroyo, from the University of Granada.
    While the UAVs are still controlled by an operator on the ground, they can, for example, descend for a battery change and then resume their task in a matter of minutes. An object can be scanned in a very short time, compared with more traditional methods of scanning, and all without the need for scaffolding or cranes.
    "This drone can scan a building very quickly, for example, by using several flights and it is very fast to replace the battery, so we can land the drone on the ground and replace the battery and fly it again in order to do the reconstruction (3D modelling). And all the process can be done in several minutes, for example, half an hour," Arroyo added.
    Small, manoeuvrable UAVs have already been put to use in civilian life - from monitoring crime scenes to helping with search and rescue operations.
    The 3D mapping of architectural wonders would give unprecedented insight into the construction of history's most famous buildings and monuments. Developers say their ultimate goal is to build fully autonomous UAVs that can operate without the need for a human controller.
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