Aerial robotic technologies for civil engineering: established and emerging practice

Aerial robotic technology has potential for use in a wide variety of civil engineering applications. Such technology potentially offers low-cost methods to replace expensive structural health monitoring activities such as visual inspection. Aerial robots also have potential uses in civil construction and for regional surveys. This paper presents the results of a review on the applications of aerial robotic technology in civil engineering. Such civil engineering applications can be classified into three broad areas: (i) monitoring and inspection of civil infrastructure; (ii) site management, robotic construction, and maintenance; and (iii) post-disaster response surveys and rapid damage assessments. The motivations for uptake of aerial robotics in the civil engineering industry generally fall into the following categories: (i) cost savings, (ii) improved measurement capability, and (iii) safety improvements. The categories of aerial robotic use in civil engineering are then classified as either established or emerging uses.

Automated summary

Aerial robotic technology has diverse applications in civil engineering, including monitoring infrastructure, site management, and disaster response. The adoption of aerial robotics in the industry is driven by cost savings, improved measurement capability, and safety enhancements. The use of aerial robotics in civil engineering can be categorized as established or emerging applications.