Drone in a box for the construction industry

• A drone in a box can be a transformative solution for the construction industry and AEC sector;

• A drone in a box, like the DJI Dock, can conduct automated flights to enable 24/7 data collection: This is useful for the construction industry, with real-time data feeding into progress monitoring, constantly-evolving digital twins, and site security; 

• Permanently located on-site, and with deployment scheduled and data viewed remotely, a drone in a box reduces the need for site visits - cutting costs, improving efficiency, and increasing project sustainability;

• The DJI Dock is a new drone in a box. Benefit from cloud management; fast charging and weather-proof solution for increased operational window; and quality data capture from the M30 Series' camera capabilities.

The drone in a box concept can revolutionise the construction industry - enabling round-the-clock real-time data capture, improved safety, and centralising insights for remote monitoring.

Large-scale construction projects constantly require live information to help with asset management, site security, digital twin creation, and asset monitoring.

Deploying a remote access drone system, like the DJI Dock, can transform this workflow.

Benefits of a drone in a box for construction sites include:  

• 24/7 Monitoring: Drone in a box systems are permanently onsite, meaning they can de deployed on-demand for round-the-clock data capture. This is useful for persistent scheduled data collection or for spontaneous, on-demand situational awareness: Useful for project monitoring or reacting to security breaches. 

• Automated Data Capture: There is no requirement for individuals to be onsite to capture data - improving safety, removing the associated administration, and providing operational flexibility.

• Real-time Updates: Constantly update data streams to create a live environment, constantly evolving in tandem with the site. This is particularly useful for developing and updating digital twins. 

• Virtual Analysis: Immediately share and centralise data feeds from multiple sites for remote monitoring and cloud-based visualisation. This improves site-wide collaboration and decision-making on construction projects.

In this article, we'll take an in-depth look at how a drone in a box can be a transformative solution for the construction industry. We'll also explore how the specific features of the DJI Dock make this particular docking station a powerful solution for the AEC sector. 

What Is A Drone In A Box?

A drone in a box is a fully automated drone that is housed in a protective box when not in use.

The box is designed to provide shelter for the drone when it is not operational and can also serve as a launching/landing pad and a charging hub.

The drone in a box is programmed to take off, fly a predetermined route, and return to its box autonomously, without the need for a pilot.

The DJI Dock is engineered to operate 24/7. Each DJI Dock houses a Matrice 30 where it lands, recharges, takes off, and executes missions programmed remotely in DJI FlightHub 2. We'll discuss the DJI Dock in more detail later in this article.

Benefits Of Using A Drone In A Box For The Construction Industry

Using a drone in a box has multiple benefits for the construction industry. These include:

Increased Efficiency

Permanently-sited on-location: A drone in a box is ready to deploy on-demand and flights can be automated.

This increases efficiency by being able to immediately collect data at a moment's notice and reduce the logistical burden of sending personnel and equipment to site for specific missions. 

Repeatable Data

Automate missions to ensure on-site robots collect accurate and repeatable data, more frequently. This reduces human error and is ideal for change monitoring and progress monitoring, helping to spot defects early to reduce costs and downtime.

Operational Flexibility

A drone in a box can be deployed to conduct persistent, scheduled, round-the-clock data collection or to gather spontaneous, on-demand situational awareness.

A remote monitoring ecosystem is unbound by the availability of pilots or employees, and can be controlled remotely through cloud-based management.

Improved Safety

Construction sites can be dangerous. Using a drone in a box can help to minimise the risks associated with manual labour.

Drones can collect data in areas that are difficult or dangerous to access for humans, reducing the need for workers to physically access these spots.

Drones can reach otherwise inaccessible zones, capturing data which would be missed or unavailable using alternative methods.

Cost-Effective

A drone in a box can be a cost-effective alternative to traditional surveying and monitoring methods. It can reduce labour costs and improve accuracy and efficiency, resulting in a more cost-effective construction process.

A docking station is constantly positioned on-site, reducing the costs associated with personnel travelling to the site. 

Reduce operational costs and maintain business continuity and operations from anywhere in the world as on-site robots collect consistent, accurate and repeatable data - all managed from afar, centralising data.

Environmental Benefits

The construction industry is a major contributor to global carbon emissions. However, a drone in a box system, like the DJI Dock, can help construction projects transition to a more sustainable and low-carbon future.

A docking station runs on electric power, which can reduce fuel consumption and greenhouse gas emissions associated with traditional construction machinery and vehicles. 

Because it is located on site, a drone in a box reduces site visits, helping to cut the number of visits by car to reduce traffic congestion and associated emissions.

The quality, accurate, and repeatable data collected by drones optimise site planning, reduce waste, and minimise errors: This helps to use construction materials more efficiently and minimises the need for rework. 

To find out more, read our blog entitled: How drones can help the construction industry become carbon neutral.

Applications Of A Drone In A Box In The Construction Industry

A drone in a box, like the DJI Dock, can collect a range of data on a construction project.

This includes:

Progress Monitoring And Site Planning

A drone in a box can capture high-resolution imagery and real-time data to monitor construction progress and make better data-driven decisions.

Benefits of monitoring progress on a construction site include:

• Improved Project Scheduling: By monitoring the progress of construction activities, project managers can identify potential delays and adjust the schedule accordingly to ensure that the project stays on track.

• Enhanced Communication: Progress monitoring can facilitate better communication between project stakeholders, including contractors, subcontractors, architects, and project owners. This helps to keep everyone informed about the status of the project and ensures that any issues are addressed in a timely manner.

• Improved Quality Control: Monitoring construction progress can help identify any quality issues early on, allowing for quick corrective action. This can help to prevent costly rework and ensure that the final product meets the required quality standards.

• Cost Savings: By identifying potential delays, quality issues, and safety hazards early on, progress monitoring can help to prevent costly rework and delays, ultimately saving time and money.

Located on-site, capable of deploying on-demand, and collecting repeatable, real-time data, a drone in a box is a useful solution for project monitoring.

This is also beneficial for site planning and design, using data to optimise the use of construction materials and reduce waste.

Safety and Security

Security on any construction site can be a challenge, requiring large amounts of manpower and technology to cover every corner.

A drone in a box provides an efficient, effective and round-the-clock method of security.

Benefits include:

• Deploy during periods when human security personnel are not present, reducing the requirement for human resources and providing 24/7 security;

• Automated drone surveillance provides a mobile CCTV system, able to cover huge areas quickly and regularly;

• A drone in a box can be programmed to fly around the perimeter of a site, monitoring for potential security breaches or safety risks;

• Can be deployed in the event of an emergency, responding to alerts;

• Provides real-time footage, which can be accessed remotely;

• Drone surveillance, automated perimeter inspections and remote access video feeds are a huge deterrent to intruders and are a key element of any high-end security system. 

Drone In A Box Vs Traditional Drones For Construction

The construction industry is already benefiting from drones - increasing efficiency and improving site safety, compared to traditional methods.

However, these gains can be stretched further when deploying a drone in a box, as solutions like the DJI Dock offer several advantages compared to traditional drone deployment. These include:

Increased Safety And Security

A drone in a box is designed to take off and land automatically from a secure and stable location, reducing the risk of accidents that can occur during manual take-off and landing.

Remote deployment means that the drone can collect data where it may be difficult to manually launch and land a drone.

The box also provides a safe haven for the drone, reducing the risk of theft or damage. The box can also be locked for added security. 

Automated Operation

A drone in a box can be programmed to conduct automated operations, which means it can take off, fly a predetermined route, and land without the need for a pilot.

It can also be deployed remotely, unburdened by lack of human resources.

This enables more efficient, accurate and round-the-clock operations, for on-demand or pre-planned data collection.

Protection from the Elements

The box provides protection for the drone against environmental factors such as rain, wind, and dust. This can prolong the lifespan of the drone and reduce the need for repairs or replacements.

A drone in a box is typically designed to withstand wear and tear, making it more durable than a normal drone.

How The DJI Dock Can Benefit The Construction Industry

The case for using a drone in a box for the construction industry has been made.

But how specifically can the DJI Dock benefit the AEC sector?

Reliable and Rugged

The DJI Dock is IP55 rated and has an operating temperature of -35°C to 50°C. It can be deployed round-the-clock and has an integrated weather station, which knows when conditions aren't safe for the M30 to fly.

Rapid Deployment

The DJI Dock's fast-charging capabilities enable rapid and almost constant deployment. Charge from 10-90% in just 25 minutes. This availability is useful for construction projects, collecting data on-demand: Especially useful for feeding into digital twins and collecting data for constant and up-to-date progress monitoring. 

DJI M30 Dock Version

Fully charged, the M30 flies can fly for 40 minutes and can conduct missions and inspections up to 7km from the Dock. 

The M30 Series Dock Version integrates wide, zoom, and thermal cameras (the thermal is on the M30T version). This data can be used for project tracking, while the thermal sensor is ideal for checking for leaks and the integrity of buildings on-site.

Click the hyperlink to find out more about the key features of the DJI Dock.

Cloud Management

DJI Dock can be controlled remotely via the DJI FlightHub 2 platform. Schedule missions, create and edit flight routes, and manage the collected data.

Remote monitoring and flight planning improves site-wide collaboration on construction projects, and improves sustainability by removing the number of required site visits.  

To find out more about FlightHub 2, read our Key Features Of DJI FlightHub 2 Drone Management Software blog.

Drone In A Box For Construction: Rules In The UK 

So, what are the legal considerations when deploying a drone in a box in the UK?

As things stand, there is nothing stopping operators from flying a drone from a box. But there are limitations.

Organisations who do not yet have BVLOS (Beyond Visual Line of Sight) permissions will first need to operate VLOS (Visual Line of Sight). 

For more details about working towards BVLOS permissions, including obtaining an OSC (operating Safety Case) and the current state of play regarding BVLOS operations in the UK, read our DJI Dock: Building Your Safety Case And UK BVLOS Pathway blog.

Summary

A drone in a box offers a range of benefits for the construction industry, including increased efficiency, improved safety, and cost-effectiveness.

With the ability to collect high-resolution data quickly and accurately, a remote drone system can be used for progress monitoring, inspection and maintenance, site planning, and safety and security.

As the construction industry continues to evolve, a drone in a box is likely to become increasingly important in improving efficiency, safety, and sustainability.

And utilising the quality M30 drone, the DJI Dock is a rugged and reliable drone in a box solution for the AEC sector. 

heliguy™ is a DJI Dock partner. Contact us to find out more about the DJI Dock and how heliguy™ can support your adoption of this drone in a box, including training (such as OSC consultancy and EVLOS/BVLOS training), installation, and site planning.