Michael Baker International adds to UAS inspection fleet

US-based engineering and planning consulting service Michael Baker International has expanded its inspection services with the purchase of a Topcon Falcon 8 unmanned aircraft system (UAS), offering a new perspective for its pilots to achieve precise aerial imagery and mapping during the inspection of infrastructure elements. Combined with the company’s mobile and static Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) systems for data collection and by utilising the system’s flight stability and high-resolution 32-me
November 18, 2016 Read time: 2 mins
US-based engineering and planning consulting service Michael Baker International has expanded its inspection services with the purchase of a Topcon Falcon 8 unmanned aircraft system (UAS), offering a new perspective for its pilots to achieve precise aerial imagery and mapping during the inspection of infrastructure elements.

Combined with the company’s mobile and static Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) systems for data collection and by utilising the system’s flight stability and high-resolution 32-megapixel digital single-lens reflex (DSLR) camera, Michael Baker pilots can capture more precise imaging and video in tight spaces, challenging environments and windy situations.

Operating as a two-person team, Michael Baker inspectors, one piloting the flight and the other using 3D goggles for a first person view (FPV), can establish unprecedented viewpoints for data capturing imagery.

Additionally, the Falcon 8’s integrated thermal camera creates new service offerings as the company can monitor for heat loss and thermal leakage in concrete and pipeline inspections, and conduct heat surveys of buildings looking to achieve LEED certification.  

Michael Baker is deploying the new UAS as part of two new contract wins: a statewide contract from the Nevada Department of Transportation for digital aerial imagery and video, and/or other remotely sensed data; and a task order with the Wisconsin Department of Transportation for determining the feasibility for use of UAS in bridge inspections and bridge inspection procedures.
Detection, Monitoring & Machine Vision Classification & Data Collection

Related Content

  • Need for secure approach to connected vehicle technology
    January 7, 2013
    Accidental or malicious issue of false messages to connected vehicles could result in dire consequences, so secure systems of authentication and certification are likely to be necessary, write Paul Avery and Sandra Dykes. Connectivity among vehicles in urban traffic systems will provide opportunity for beneficial impacts such as congestion reduction and greater safety. However, it also creates security risks with the potential for targeted disruption. Security algorithms, protocols and procedures must take
    Read More
  • Groeneveld launches new Greensight camera
    May 23, 2012
    A final super-tough practical trial on all the Dakar rally trucks of the winning Team Petronas De Rooy Iveco and the Veka Man Team marks the successful end to the extensive field testing of the new generation of Groeneveld cameras. Groeneveld says it is now ready to launch a completely new camera, developed and produced inhouse. Combined with the the company’s high-resolution monitor. also produced in-house, the CMOS colour camera ensures a perfect image, even in bright light, at night or in poor weather co
    Read More
  • Parkeon Transportation partners Timepsace on vehicle surveillance
    October 6, 2017
    Parkeon Transportation has partnered with technology provider Timespace to expand the company's integration capability into on-vehicle surveillance. CCTV specialist Anthony O' Brien has joined the company and will be working with bus companies to implement digital video recording technology to augment passenger safety and asset security. Through using this technology, the systems will record key data along with hi-definition imagery, along with live view connectivity.
    Read More
  • Cybercrime is not a remote threat for toll operations
    February 8, 2017
    The rise of cybercrime is starting to impact tolling concessions, as Colin Sowman discovers. Yahoo’s revelation that it has taken two years to discover that it had suffered a security breach resulting in hackers stealing the details of 500 million users is shocking - although the hackers only gained access to users’ names, contact details and encrypted passwords.
    Read More

Highlighted Content