Unmanned aerial systems for photogrammetry and remote sensing: A review

Reviews how unmanned aerial systems developed within photogrammetry and remote sensing. It argues that low-cost off-the-shelf equipment combined with computer vision, robotics and geomatics can reach centimetre-level resolution and accuracy even with cameras costing a few hundred euros. After history and regulation, it covers advances in platforms, sensors, navigation, orientation and processing, focusing on nano, micro and mini UAS.

Key findings

• Centimetre-level resolution and accuracy achievable with consumer cameras costing a few hundred euros
• Rapid methodological change in the five years before 2014 was outpacing aviation rules and traditional workflows

Limitations

• Abstract only reviewed (publisher page blocked to the fetch tool)
• General mapping review, not inspection-specific
• Hardware and regulatory picture is from 2014