How 3D software opens doors for aerial drone survey specialists

Aerial drone surveys can provide a turnkey solution for visual inspections of large-scale infrastructure. But what do you do with those vast volumes of photogrammetry data? Convert it into beautiful, high-resolution 3D models using software like Trendspek.

Traditionally, structural engineers have conducted visual inspections on a relatively small sample size of an asset, usually collected using manual methods, like working at heights, or through spot inspection.

This data is used as a representative inspection, extrapolating that assessment across the entirety of the structure to infer the possibility of defects or issues for the entire asset.

However, growing resource shortages, stricter access and safety risks make traditional methods of data capture increasingly difficult.

Enter drones: Greater coverage, multi-use data, safer operations

With the above challenges, asset owners are increasingly turning to aerial drone capture as a turnkey solution.

Drone surveys achieve a significant increase in asset coverage, averaging 80-90% which allows for far greater context, and therefore far greater volume of actionable information for our asset owners.

With drones and robotics solving the issues of access and worker safety, the rise of 3D digital twin software like Trendspek is then providing the solution to the resourcing shortage.

How Trendspek works

Trendspek is a leading software for built asset inspection that delivers exact, interactive 3D models with inspection-grade detail, allowing engineers to complete assessments with vastly more information and coverage, from their desks.

This, when layered with Trendspek’s suite of proprietary tools, can extract immense levels of information and provide more beneficial and actionable outcomes.

The reports generated from these virtual visual assessments empower asset owners and facilities managers to make better-informed decisions about asset condition, and remove often-costly assumptions and variations from their bottom line.

Trendspek's data-led approach not only delivers efficiency gains across workflows, but also creates a repository of information about physical asset that allows organisations to more accurately forecast CAPEX/OPEX budgets.

That economy of effort is also matched by a much lower environmental impact than a traditional inspection, while also offering a much stronger safety case.

Benefits of drone surveys, by the numbers:

• 80-90% coverage: Stitch 100,00s of captured data points to generate an interactive 3D model
• More detailed: Capture sub-millimetre detail, allowing for engineering-grade visual inspections
  
  
• Zero-touch, low impact: Deliver repeatable, resource-lite inspections to clients managing large portfolios

How Trendspek engages and supports drone specialists

When a new client onboards with Trendspek we will either assist the client with their own drone team by providing our drone capture guide for best practice, or support their drone team with recommended equipment, flight planing and software.

If the client does not have a drone team, we will recommend a Preferred Capture Provider suited to the clients asset type. We can either manage the project, or put the client in direct contact with the capture provider.

How you upload your data into Trendspek

Our Processing Pipeline supports large 4K photogrammetry images, BIM, LIDAR, CAD and thermal data.

Once your account is set up, you can upload directly into the Trendspek software and we'll do the rest. There’s no requirement for prior processing or editing required, and no need for expensive in-house computer systems or software.

Drone Service Providers can also use our Trendspek Capture Analysis tool to validate coverage and accuracy.

How we get the best out of your photogrammetry data

We assess the talent: We conduct a dataset review within the Trendspek platform. DSPs will need to have experience with enterprise-level photogrammetry, and meet industry compliance standards.

We support you to get on site: We manage all third party permits and assist with flight planning, CASA applications, and manage communications between the drone service provider and the client.

We support the capture upload and processing: Once you've batch uploaded your data into Trendspek's software, we'll provide feedback on capture quality. We also have an extensive network of industry partners that we can utilise to foster direct relationships with clients and DSP's.

Trendspek’s aviation background: from cockpit to cutting-edge SaaS

Trendspek founders Derek Feebrey, Fiona Church and Mitch Deam started in commercial crewed aviation for many years, before commencing operations in 2013 as Hoverscape, a company which still runs today.

They found they were great at capturing loads of data, but as clients noted, this provided very little real and actionable information to them — and quite often added another layer of complexity to their inspection regimes.

With this idea in mind, they pivoted yet again, and commenced operations as Trendspek.

Now celebrating it’s fifth anniversary with a team of 30 employees and growing, Trendspek is being used on a global scale across a vast range of asset types.

Photos: Trendspek & AAUS Networking Event, July 2024

We were pleased to co-host an industry networking event with Australian Association for Uncrewed Systems (AAUS) at Stone & Chalk Sydney to highlight how Trendspek supports drone service providers, introduced by AAUS President Greg Tyrell. Scroll through some of the event highlights below.

Join our Capture Provider network

Trendspek partners with leading drone specialists to deliver the highest standards of enterprise-level reality capture across various industries. To apply to join our growing network, enter your details below.