Things to know about drones with thermal imaging cameras

Drone with thermal imaging camera

Drones equipped with thermal imaging cameras are a revolutionary development and are already used in many industrial, construction and other sectors. They make it possible to detect heat sources from the air, making them an indispensable tool for a wide range of missions. In this article, we will take a closer look at this type of drones and explain how drones with thermal imaging cameras are used and what advantages or disadvantages they bring.

What are drones with thermal imaging cameras anyway?

Drones are flying machines controlled by a pilot from the ground. The most common variant are so-called multicopters, which offer the advantage of precise control even in complex environments and are used for most inspections of photovoltaic plants, industrial facilities or in construction. Drones with thermal imaging cameras can detect heat sources that are not visible to the human eye and display them on an image. In this way, they can also detect small sources of fire in forest fires, be used to search for missing persons, inspect photovoltaic installations, perform building thermography and much more.

Applications of drones with thermal imaging camera

The uses of drones with thermal imaging cameras are nearly limitless, and creativity is needed here to explore the benefits in a variety of areas. Some of the most common applications are:

Fire department and civil protection

Drones with thermal imaging cameras are a valuable tool for fire departments and civil protection. They can detect fires or hot spots in buildings that are invisible to the human eye, helping responders to target and support the safety of emergency personnel. They can also help search for missing persons, saving valuable time to save lives.

Agriculture

In agriculture, drones with thermal imaging cameras can be used to detect wildlife in fields before meadows are mowed or fields are harvested. Every year, there are countless accidents involving wildlife in agriculture, which is not only devastating for the animals, but can also cause damage to expensive farm machinery. They can also help detect heat sources in greenhouses and increase efficiency.

Hunting

In hunting, drones with thermal imaging cameras can also be used to protect wildlife. Fawns are often found in meadows that are mowed by farmers, and the hay is used as feed for livestock such as cows. Because hunting is also about protecting and caring for wildlife, more and more drones are being used by hunters to protect fawns from being mowed to death in the early summer months. Drones with thermal imaging cameras can also be used to detect injured game.

Industry and construction

In industry, there are already a variety of possible applications for the efficient use of drones with thermal imaging cameras. They can help detect heat sources in machines or plants and prevent failures. In the inspection of photovoltaic plants, drones are used to inspect even large plants quickly and cost-effectively and to detect possible defects, which can then be inspected in detail from the ground. In the construction industry and in inspection or building thermography, drones with thermal imaging cameras are used to check building insulation or roofs and flat roofs for leaks or wet spots.

The advantages and disadvantages of drones with thermal imaging camera

Like any technological achievement, drones with thermal imaging cameras bring many advantages, but also disadvantages. Some of the main advantages and disadvantages are:

Advantages

• Detection of heat sources (or even cold sources) from the air

• Can be used in hard-to-reach or hazardous areas

• Can monitor or inspect large areas quickly, inexpensively, and efficiently, providing valuable information

• Can be a valuable aid to search forces looking for missing persons

Disadvantages

• Drones with thermal imaging cameras are significantly more expensive to purchase than conventional camera drones

• The use of a drone may be restricted by weather conditions

• Depending on the country and legislation, the use of drones with thermal imaging cameras may be restricted or even prohibited

Thermal images of larger objects

So-called orthophotos can also be created with the thermal images of a drone. Such evaluations are interesting for large objects such as hall roofs or large-scale photovoltaic systems. In addition, it is even possible to measure the temperature, which can be used for photovoltaic systems to check defective modules more precisely. With modern drones equipped with high-quality thermal imaging cameras and RGB cameras, it is possible to simultaneously take and store an RGB photo and a thermal image. With these images, thermal maps (orthophotos) can be created in high quality and used for a so-called radiometric evaluation, where the temperature at various points can be measured directly on the map.

The performance of a drone with thermal imaging camera

Depending on the application, it is important to choose the right drone. The performance depends on the quality of the thermal imaging camera, the flight time of the drone, and the range. High-resolution thermal imaging cameras are more expensive and more sensitive to strong sunlight compared to conventional cameras. Looking directly into the sun with a thermal imaging camera should be avoided, as this can irreparably damage the sensor. When using and recording thermal imaging cameras, an experienced drone pilot should be used in order to make high-quality evaluations.

Depending on the model, drones with thermal imaging cameras can be controlled remotely or automatically follow a predetermined flight path using GPS and other sensor technology. In either case, the images are stored for further analysis.

Conclusion

Drones with thermal imaging cameras are a revolutionary technology that is already used and appreciated in many fields and industries. They make it possible to capture high-resolution thermal images from the air and use photogrammetry to create a clear map in high-resolution quality, even of larger areas or hall roofs. Drones equipped with thermal imaging cameras can also provide many benefits when conducting inspections or searching for missing persons in complex or hard-to-reach areas. However, drones equipped with thermal imaging cameras are also significantly more expensive than traditional camera drones, and additional software and expertise is required to evaluate them accurately in order to use the technology effectively. Overall, however, they offer many advantages and are a valuable addition in many industries.

Questions & Answers about the drone with thermal imaging camera

• What is a drone with thermal imaging camera?

  Drones with thermal imaging cameras are unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV or UAS) equipped with a thermal imaging camera. These allow to capture and transmit images showing the heat of objects or living beings. Drones with thermal imaging cameras are mostly used for industrial purposes and the price usually ranges from €5,000 to €30,000, depending on the model and quality of the thermal imaging camera.

• How does a thermal imaging camera work?

  A thermal imaging camera picks up the infrared rays of objects or living things and can convert them into visible light and make them visible to the human eye. The camera has a special sensor that can convert thermal energy into electrical signals and then process them into an image.

• Where is a drone with thermal imaging camera used?

  Drones equipped with thermal imaging cameras can be used in many areas of industry, agriculture, forest firefighting, wildlife monitoring or searching for missing persons. In construction, drones equipped with thermal imaging cameras can be used to detect damage or leaks on roofs or for building thermography. In the field of photovoltaic system inspection, drones equipped with thermal imaging cameras can quickly and cost-effectively detect defective panels.

• What is the advantage of a drone with thermal imaging camera?

  Drones bring with them the distinct advantage of being able to move quickly and flexibly in hard-to-reach areas and capture images from the air, enabling them to carry out high-quality thermal inspections. A drone equipped with a thermal imaging camera can also be a valuable support for search forces when looking for missing persons, especially in hard-to-reach areas. Another major advantage is that, compared to a helicopter, it can be deployed at low cost and without much effort.

• Can drones with thermal imaging technology fly at night?

  In principle, yes. However, the operation of a drone, even if it is equipped with a thermal imaging camera, is not permitted without further ado. Drones are only allowed to fly within sight of the pilot without a special permit, even with a thermal imaging camera. Special permission from the aviation authority is required for operation at night or out of sight of the drone pilot. Depending on the country, these regulations may vary, so inform yourself well before you want to fly a drone with thermal imaging camera at night.