Drone scanning isn’t just the future of the construction industry – for many companies, it’s becoming the present. Manitoba Construction Sector Council (MCSC) is working hard to make sure that’s a reality for all construction companies in the province.

Their latest step in that journey is through the purchase of a Matrice 350 RTK drone and a Zenmuse L2 high-precision aerial LiDAR system. When combined, the technologies provide scanning abilities that allow construction companies to survey a site and make plans in a fraction of the time that traditional methods would take.

“So many people I’ve spoken to are using mainly photogrammetry for construction purposes,” said Chelsea Treboniak, President of Critical Ops, a company committed to helping businesses use technology like remote sensing services to keep moving forward. “They’re having to mesh files together to give them the volume and depth capabilities that LiDAR naturally brings just by doing a scan.”

Both of the new technologies will complement the SkySkills drone training and new LiDAR remote sensing technology training that MCSC has been delivering through partnerships with New Media Manitoba, the province’s sector council for information communications and digital technologies, and Critical Ops.

It was that training that exposed that many companies taking the training didn’t actually have the drones or LiDAR scanners to put the training into practice, mainly due to the upfront cost of acquiring the technology.

With MCSC investing $35,000 in the two pieces of equipment, that barrier is now gone. Companies will be able to rent the equipment for more affordable access.

“We’re always looking for ways that we can strengthen the construction sector, and it became obvious that despite the drone and LiDAR training, there was still a barrier to companies implementing it,” said Carol Paul, Executive Director of MCSC. “Technology is driving the future of construction, and we need to keep pace with our counterparts across the country to stay competitive. This is one way for us to help companies in our province do that.”

Combining this equipment with training and other technology investments that MCSC is already making gives those in the construction industry a full set of tools at their disposal.

“MCSC has got the education, they’re handing companies the equipment, they’re connecting them to advanced technologies, and they’re giving them access to New Media Manitoba’s StudioLab xR to visualize this data,” listed Treboniak. “There are no excuses standing in the way of companies pursuing what is the future of the industry.”

Paul hopes that those in the sector see that too, whether they’re large or small businesses.

“We’re hearing from early adopters that drone technology is quite literally a game changer,” said Paul. “Drones save time and money, and they assist with scoping out any potential danger before crews develop construction sites. Those are aspects we want all companies in the sector to benefit from.”

The drone purchase in particular sets MCSC up well to continue investing in technology for the sector. The drone’s capabilities go beyond just LiDAR scanning use, opening further opportunities to push the industry forward.

“This drone has some of the best aerial imagery that you can find, and you can swap sensors and payloads in and out,” said Treboniak. “MCSC can add a thermal sensor, a ground penetrator radar, optical gas imaging, and more because they have the baseline airframe to do it.”

As exciting as the technology itself is, what will be more exciting is seeing what the Manitoba construction sector can do with the technology.