Professional Services

Altohelix is at the forefront of Drone Technology

Mapping (Photogrammetry)

Aerial Surveying

The most common use case for photogrammetry are tools used by surveyors to provide topographic maps and other geospatial information. Aerial Surveying can generate accurate and rapid mapping information in a timely and cost-efficient manner. This line of services provides valuable information with all while keeping operators safe from traversing hard-to-reach areas.

Forensics

When time is critical in preserving evidence, photogrammetry has been an essential tool for disaster prevention and analysis for the public safety and services sector. Traditional methods dictate a longer inspection timeline with a high risk of site disturbance. Fire investigation teams can leverage rapid reconstruction software with recent advancements in drone technology in the public safety sector. A rapid response team would be deployed to an incident to quickly collect the data and information necessary for the investigation.

Rapid volume calculations

For large civil construction projects, such as mining and land development, there are two traditional methods to accurately identify and calculate volumes of material; counting trucks full of material or sending a surveyor to a dangerous area to access and measure stockpiles. Aerial photogrammetry can remove the safety risk out of the equation, all while accurately calculating the volume of material on a given project with excellent repeatability and reproducibility.

Utility inspection

Whether transmission towers or gas lines, utility asset inspection often requires hazardous areas to be accessed by conventional means. Drones provide a safe and accurate method to collect critical data for maintaining your assets. Aerial photogrammetry allows for real-time visualization of an asset or large-scale data collection that can be processed and analyzed.

Aerial Surveying

Forensics

Land Development

Photogrammetry, a subset of Remote Sensing, uses a camera payload to collect hundreds to thousands of images in order to reconstruct and map (3D and 2D) a point of interest with a significant level of detail and accuracy. With the advancement of drone technology, our survey experts can collect vast amounts of aerial data quickly, reducing risks and project costs compared to traditional methods. Geographical Information System (GIS) Analysts and other geospatial professionals routinely facilitate the integration of photogrammetric and conventional survey data, making it easy to place the photogrammetric models. Here at Altohelix, our experts can help you deliver high-quality aerial services for your project needs.

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LiDAR

Aerial LiDAR (light detection and ranging) involves utilizing a laser scanner in an aircraft to measure and collect large swaths of 3D data, known as "point clouds", of the landscape below the aircraft. As LiDAR is an active system, compared to the passive photogrammetry system, LiDAR can work in low lighting conditions and doesn’t rely on external or optimal lighting environments. A unique feature of LiDAR is that it can penetrate dense canopies of trees, enabling the ability to capture the ground unseen from above, thereby creating accurate terrain models in forested areas.

30 years ago, LiDAR systems were about the size of your fridge and can only achieve 5-10cm of absolute accuracy. The advancement in technology over the years has made payloads for aerial LiDAR considerably more accurate (sub-centimetre) while being smaller and light enough to put on a commercial-size drone. Our experts at Altohelix can help deliver high-quality aerial services for your project needs.

Construction LiDAR

Utilities/ Inspection

Forestry

Utilities Identification and Inspection

Utility asset inspection often requires accessing areas that are inaccessible or hazardous to reach by traditional means. Aerial LiDAR allows for data visualization of an asset or large-scale data collection and analysis for critical infrastructure. For example, in pipeline projects or high voltage powerline maintenance, rather than using expensive helicopters or a team of surveyors over multiple days, drones can effectively “scan” the entire length of the structure within a significantly shorter time period in a safe and cost-efficient manner.

Disaster Management

When time is critical in preserving evidence, LiDAR has been an essential tool for disaster prevention and analysis for the public safety and services sector. With LiDAR's ability to gather large amounts of positional data rapidly and with a high level of accuracy, it's no wonder why investigators rely on it. Traditional methods dictate a longer inspection timeline when trying to reconstruct an incident site. Fire investigation teams can now leverage rapid reconstruction software, where a rapid response team would be deployed to an incident to quickly collect data without disturbing the scene.

Construction and Mining

The most common use case for LiDAR are tools used by surveyors to provide topographic maps and other geospatial information. Capturing highly accurate point cloud data with aerial LiDAR can generate rapid mapping information in a safe, timely, and cost-efficient manner. This includes volumetric stockpile calculations or 3D models of linear infrastructure. Engineers rely on aerial imagery to help determine the optimal route location and design for major infrastructure projects. Mining companies use aerial imagery to help quantify and manage disturbance and rehabilitation.

Public Services, Forestry, and Conservation

Floodplain mapping is a common use of LiDAR-derived DEMs, ortho-imagery base maps, watershed delineations, and flood risk maps. With LiDAR's unique ability to penetrate through thick canopies, this technology is capable of mapping the trees themselves and the ground below them, unseen from above. This removes the need to send someone to dangerously traversing the land in order to survey the topography. Governments use aerial imagery to help monitor and manage environmental change.

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Mapping

Thermal Imaging

While digital RGB cameras utilize visible light to create imagery, thermal cameras use the physics of thermal radiation, where thermal energy (heat) is the primary source of radiation energy to produce images. Thermal energy is represented by a spectrum of colours to represent different temperatures within the image.

Due to its unique attributes to seeing thermal energy, thermal cameras can excel in low to no light or visibility conditions. In these situations, thermal cameras can peer through thick smoke or low lighting conditions as the sensor doesn't rely on visible light to operate. Alternatively, thermal cameras allow us to see what isn't normally seen with the naked eye, such as overheating solar panels or transformers.

Advancements in thermal camera technology have enabled us to provide the ability to better support our clients' needs for inspections and monitoring services from the skies. Here at Altohelix, our experts have been able to help our clients turn day-long projects into minutes.

Asset Thermal Inspection

Solar Farm Thermal Inspection

Asset inspection

Asset inspections and structural surveys can sometimes be challenging; visually inspecting difficult-to-reach structures has traditionally been an expensive and dangerous to execute, requiring lifts, cranes, or rope access work. Here at Altohelix, our licensed and insured pilot experts can significantly reduce the risk and provide a higher quality of work without site disruption or other expensive and complicated methods. Our team offers a live feed of the inspection process, capturing critical data for your asset.

Aerial Photography and Videography

Why limit your production to ground-based photography and videos? At Altohelix, we can operate drones to capture high-quality videos and photos for your production needs. Being able to get up close or capture a unique perspective from the sky is our specialty.

We have the capabilities and expertise to fly in restricted airspace, over public walkways, roadways, people, and other unique environments safely and legally. Whether capturing an entire demolition or photos and videos for real estate, Altohelix has the licensed unmanned aerial experts you can count on.

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