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Drones Deliver a Fresh Take on Airborne Imaging Applications

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Building on its success in filmmaking, drone-based imaging is winging its way into new application sectors, from infrastructure inspection to agriculture.

HANK HOGAN, CONTRIBUTING EDITOR

Initially swooping in to provide aerial shots in big-budget movies, UAVs — or drones, in consumer parlance — are now bringing aerial cinematography technology to other applications. Drone-mounted imagers are helping to inspect infrastructure, monitor crops, and conduct search and rescue operations. They could eventually deliver vital goods. As demand grows for these high-flying imaging platforms, the technology is evolving to allow drones to perform finer maneuvers, capture higher-quality images, and stay airborne longer. Once reliant on helicopters and airplanes, aerial cinematography became more practical as filmmakers began to mount high-end cameras on custom-built drones with the goal of cutting costs. But the real value of this innovation has only begun to emerge as end users in other fields contemplate the potential roles that drone-based imaging technology could play.

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Published: August 2020
Glossary
hyperspectral imaging
Hyperspectral imaging is an advanced imaging technique that captures and processes information from across the electromagnetic spectrum. Unlike traditional imaging systems that record only a few spectral bands (such as red, green, and blue in visible light), hyperspectral imaging collects data in numerous contiguous bands, covering a wide range of wavelengths. This extended spectral coverage enables detailed analysis and characterization of materials based on their spectral signatures. Key...
lidar
Lidar, short for light detection and ranging, is a remote sensing technology that uses laser light to measure distances and generate precise, three-dimensional information about the shape and characteristics of objects and surfaces. Lidar systems typically consist of a laser scanner, a GPS receiver, and an inertial measurement unit (IMU), all integrated into a single system. Here is how lidar works: Laser emission: A laser emits laser pulses, often in the form of rapid and repetitive laser...
machine vision
Machine vision, also known as computer vision or computer sight, refers to the technology that enables machines, typically computers, to interpret and understand visual information from the world, much like the human visual system. It involves the development and application of algorithms and systems that allow machines to acquire, process, analyze, and make decisions based on visual data. Key aspects of machine vision include: Image acquisition: Machine vision systems use various...
FeaturesImagingSensors & DetectorsOpticscamerashyperspectral imaginglidarmachine vision

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