sUAS vs Conventional Methods for Surveying

sUAS are becoming more prevalent due to their ability to obtain data in difficult terrain and at a higher speeds than conventional methods. There have been major breakthroughs in recent times in the surveying industry based on electronics. These have been electronic distance measuring, GPS, Lidar, and total station. Putting Lidar into the air using a sUAS greatly multiplies its capabilities. Surveyors do not need to walk into densely foliated areas, they simply fly over them. Even areas which are in the open may be filled with water, rocks and uneven ground which is difficult to traverse on foot. sUAS have been more useful recently due to major improvements in aircraft reliability and ease of use of mission planning software as well as seamless integration with data processing software.