Equipment World Digital Magazine
Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/620628
EquipmentWorld.com | January 2016 19 I n the past year, no other technology has shown more potential to impact – and improve – more parts of the construction business than unmanned aircraft, more commonly referred to as drones. There are the obvious applications such as using the aircraft to grab aerial progress shots, but contractors like Rogers-O'Brien have fi gured out how to work drones deeply into their workfl ow. Meanwhile, at least one heavy equipment manufacturer is looking at using the real-time mapping data drones can gather as a way to allow dozers and other machines autonomously operate. At this point the only real barrier to a company fi gur- ing out its own drone applications is receiving a Section 333 exemption from the Federal Aviation Administration for commercial use. And while those exemptions were trickling out at fi rst, the FAA has more than quintupled the number of exemptions it has granted since July with more than 2,500 companies having been granted permission to fl y as of this writing. A sizable chunk of those exemptions went to con- struction and surveying companies. At last count, Ven- tureBeat.com's survey of the FAA's exemption data had construction at 381 exemptions. Below, we wrap up a busy year in drones and pro- vide a look at the future holds. Quick impact By far, rotor-driven drones, those that operate like a helicopter with multiple propellers, are the most popular across all industries, and construction is no exception. Though fi xed-wing drones, those that operate more like an airplane or glider, make more sense for surveying innovations | by Equipment World staff 2016 INNOVATIONS In addition to two standout products, out Innovations Awards this year also recognize a general development that has no specifi c winner, except for the construction industry as a whole. Amazon recently unveiled a new drone prototype for its upcoming Prime Air delivery service with a hybrid design: part helicopter, part airplane. the of the of the year drone by Wayne Grayson | wayne.grayson@randallreilly.com