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Swift, Precise, and actionable data
Stockpile, Materials & Asset Management
Mapping and LiDAR-equipped stockpile drones hand site and project managers centimeter-grade volume data on every dirt, sand, and aggregate pile—no haul-road shutdowns, no crews scrambling up risky slopes. A single automated flight captures millions of points, converting days of manual topo work into same-day orthomosaics, point clouds, and inventory report
Faster Counts, Safer Crews
Why Use Drones for Stockpile & Inventory Management?
Using mapping-grade and LiDAR drones turns what used to be days of risky, manual pile-walking into a same-day, data-rich workflow that site and project managers can trust for pay quantities, cut-fill planning, and progress billing.
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Improved Jobsite Safety:
Drone fly-overs keep surveyors off unstable slopes and out of haul-truck traffic, eliminating the need to “walk the piles” with a rover or tape measure. -
HRapid Data Capture:
A single automated flight can slash stockpile survey man-hours by roughly 60%, freeing crews for critical tasks and avoiding haul-road shutdowns. -
Centimeter-Grade Accuracy:
With RTK workflows and dense point-clouds, drone volume models routinely stay within ±2–3 % of traditional RTK rover measurements—tight enough for pay apps and mass-haul plans. -
Reduced Operational Costs:
Contractors report up to 50 % survey-cost savings—and far fewer rework change orders—when accurate drone quantities replace rough truck-count estimates that often drive costly material overruns.
Visualize Every Milestone
Progress Monitoring & Documentation Use cases
Weekly Earthwork Volume Checks
Keep earthmoving quantities aligned with design grades through rapid, repeatable drone surveys.
- Cut/Fill Heat Maps: Color-coded terrain models highlight over-cut or under-fill areas immediately.
- Optimized Haul Plans: Up-to-date volumes fine-tune truck counts and equipment dispatch.
Progress Billing & Pay-Quantity Verification
Validate monthly draws with a shared, survey-grade record of material moved.
- Verifiable Volumes: Centimeter-grade models back every pay application and prevent disputes.
- Historical Flight Archive: Time-stamped datasets document change between billing cycles.
Cut-and-Fill Balance Monitoring
Ensure bulk earthworks hit target grades without costly rework or schedule slips.
- Early Grade Deviations: Detect over-excavation or under-fill before staking or concrete.
- Mass-Haul Optimization: Accurate balance data reduces double-handling and material import/export.
On-Site Material Theft Detection
Spot unexplained stockpile shrinkage early to protect budgets and timelines.
- Volume Delta Alerts: Flight-to-flight comparisons flag missing aggregate or fill overnight.
- Visual Evidence: High-resolution imagery supports insurance claims or investigations.
Equipment & Asset Condition Inspection
Capture fleet location and health without exposing personnel to hazards.
- Location Snapshots: Map every excavator, dozer, and generator for quick accountability.
- Remote Condition Checks: Detect leaks, damage, or safety flags from secure vantage points.
Staging & Laydown Yard Optimization
Streamline material flow and maximize limited site space with aerial inventory maps.
- Accurate Yard Counts: Quantify pipe, rebar, or prefab sections for just-in-time deliveries.
- Space Utilization Insights: Orthoplans reveal bottlenecks and identify unused capacity.
Find the right UAS for your operations
Stockpile, Inventory & Asset Management Drones
We have a wide variety of enterprise drone solutions to help you and your team accomplish your jobs quicker and easier. see our recommended drone packages below or give us a call and get a customized quote for your needs.
Matrice 350 RTK
Fully Powered to Forge Ahead.
An upgraded flagship drone platform, the Matrice 350 RTK sets a new benchmark for the industry. This next-generation drone platform features an all-new video transmission system and control experience, a more efficient battery system, and more comprehensive safety features, as well as robust payload and expansion capabilities
- Up to 55 Minute Flight Time
- 20km Max Transmission Range
- Multiple Cameras
- Higher Payload Compatibility
DJI Matrice 4 Enterprise
The Age of Intelligent Flight.
Unleash precision and intelligence with the DJI Matrice 4 Enterprise, featuring advanced AI, dual-camera capabilities, and enhanced safety for superior performance in mapping, surveying, and more.
- Advanced AI for Real-Time Detection
- 112x Hybrid Zoom with Dual Cameras
- 49-Minute Flight Time & 15-Second Takeoff
- 5-Directional Oblique Capture Boosts Efficiency by 40%
- Smart 3D Capture for Accurate Modeling
- Rapid 0.5-Second Interval Shooting for High-Speed Surveys
WingtraOne Gen II
A mapping drone for fast and accurate surveying data every time.
VTOL Mapping Drone - WingtraOne GEN II brings the next level of drone worksite reliability and mapping versatility with an oblique payload leading the way..
- Up to 59 min Flight Time
- 61 MP Full-Frame Camera
- 0.28 in/px GSD
- 0.4 in** Absolute Horizontal Accuracy
Freefly Astro
Compact Industrial Platform
Freefly’s latest commercial drone platform with RTK, 61 megapixel Sony camera, LTE cloud connectivity, mission computer and more. Astro is backed by the team at Freefly with 100,000+ successful commercial drone flights.
- 25 min Flight Time w/Payload
- IP43 Rating
- 100,000+ Commercial Flights
- Made in the USA
DJI Zenmuse P1
Efficiency through Flexible Full-frame Photogrammetry
The Zenmuse P1 sets a new benchmark for aerial surveying with its full-frame sensor and interchangeable fixed-focus lenses, delivering unparalleled efficiency and accuracy for photogrammetry missions.
- 45 MP Full-frame Sensor with 4.4μm Pixel Size for high-resolution imaging
- 3-axis Stabilized Gimbal with Smart Oblique Capture for versatile 2D and 3D modeling
- Global Mechanical Shutter and TimeSync 2.0 for centimeter-level accuracy without GCPs
- High Efficiency: Cover up to 3 km² in a single flight with photo capture every 0.7 seconds
- Smart Data Management for streamlined mission data handling and post-processing
DJI Zenmuse L2
Powerful Range, Elevated Precision
The Zenmuse L2 is a high-precision aerial LiDAR system that integrates frame LiDAR, a self-developed high-accuracy IMU, and a 4/3 CMOS RGB mapping camera. Designed for DJI flight platforms, it delivers precise, efficient, and reliable geospatial data acquisition, offering a turnkey solution for 3D data collection and high-accuracy post-processing with DJI Terra.
- Vertical Accuracy: 4 cm; Horizontal Accuracy: 5 cm without GCPs
- Exceptional Efficiency: Cover up to 2.5 km² in a single flight
- Superior Penetration: Smaller laser spots and denser point clouds for detailed mapping
- Extended Detection Range: Up to 450m at 50% reflectivity
- Turnkey Solution: One-click processing on DJI Terra for streamlined workflows
Phoenix Recon-XT
Great Value Meets Great Performance
The Recon-XT is Phoenix LiDAR's ultimate value-driven LiDAR system, designed for the DJI Matrice 350 and Freefly Astro UAVs. Weighing just 1.8kg, it offers exceptional precision and long-range capabilities, making it ideal for surveying teams seeking affordability without compromising performance.
- High Precision: Achieves 2-5 cm RMS vertical accuracy at 80m with 5mm ranging precision
- Lightweight & Versatile: Weighs only 1.8kg, compatible with DJI M300/M350 and Freefly Astro UAVs
- Long-Range Performance: Operates reliably up to 80m AGL with a maximum detection range of 80m
- Accurate and Fast: Generates full undecimated georeferenced point clouds in real-time with rapid post-processing
- Flexible Mounting Options: Easily integrates with UAVs, vehicles, and mobile mapping applications
Phoenix Ranger-UAV22 Flex
Fly It, Drive It, Mount It Anywhere
The Ranger-UAV22 Flex is Phoenix LiDAR's most adaptable mapping system, seamlessly integrating into backpacks, UAVs, vehicles, and dual-head mobile scanning solutions. With a high pulse repetition rate and exceptional precision, the Ranger-UAV22 Flex is designed to meet the diverse needs of modern surveying and mapping projects.
- Ultimate Versatility: Integrates effortlessly with backpacks, UAVs, vehicles, and dual-head mobile scanning setups
- High Precision: Achieves 1.5-3.0 cm RMSEz system accuracy at 120m with 5mm ranging precision
- Long-Range Capability: Reliable operation up to 490m AGL at 20% reflectivity
- Advanced Performance: 1200 kHz pulse repetition rate and up to 15 returns per pulse for detailed and accurate point clouds
- Robust Mounting Options: Compatible with a wide range of platforms including UAVs like DJI M300/M350 and VTOL systems
PIX4Dsurvey
Surveying software bridging photogrammetry and CAD for engineering-ready vector outputs
PIX4Dsurvey bridges the gap between photogrammetry and CAD by merging point clouds, imagery, and LiDAR in a single project. With advanced vectorization tools, extract essential features—like curbs, building footprints, and catenary curves—with just a few clicks, delivering engineering-ready CAD and GIS datasets.
- Capture Data: Acquire images or point clouds via drone or laser scanner and streamline flights with PIX4Dcapture.
- Import Flexibility: Combine .p4d, .p4m, .las, or .laz files and integrate multiple datasets into one project.
- Optimized Vectorization: Generate TIN models and CAD-ready vector files by extracting key project elements.
- 3D Modeling: Use Smart Grid and terrain classification to create accurate TIN surfaces.
- Volume Measurements: Calculate object and site volumes with intuitive measurement tools.
- Accuracy Assurance: Validate with GCPs, checkpoints, and manual tie points, complete with exportable quality reports.
- Smooth Export: Assign layers and properties, then export to any CAD or GIS software for seamless integration.
PIX4Dmapper
Industry-leading photogrammetry software for professional drone mapping
PIX4Dmapper is the industry-leading photogrammetry software for professional drone mapping, transforming aerial and ground images into accurate, georeferenced maps, 3D models, and orthomosaics.
- Image Capture: Import aerial or ground RGB, thermal, or multispectral images from any camera or drone.
- Photogrammetric Processing: Generate orthomosaics, dense point clouds, and DSMs using advanced algorithms.
- rayCloud Quality Control: Assess project accuracy with tie points, GCPs, and detailed quality reports.
- Automatic Classification: Distinguish surfaces and objects with machine-learning point cloud classification.
- 3D Model Export: Export georeferenced maps and models in GeoTIFF, LAS, OBJ, or DXF formats.
- Batch Processing: Automate workflows for multiple projects and reduce manual intervention.
- Cloud & Collaboration: Sync with PIX4Dcloud for online processing, sharing, and remote collaboration.
Let's get your program started
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Stockpile & Asset Management Drones FAQ
How accurate are drone-based stockpile volume measurements compared to ground surveys?
With RTK/PPK photogrammetry or LiDAR workflows and a handful of well-placed control points, volume error typically stays within ±2–3 percent of conventional rover methods—tight enough for pay quantities, mass-haul plans, and third-party verification.
Do we need a LiDAR sensor, or will a mapping-grade photogrammetry drone work for stockpiles?
For open, unobstructed dirt or aggregate piles, high-resolution photogrammetry delivers reliable volumes; LiDAR is advantageous only when steep sidewalls, shaded recesses, or light vegetation obscure pile edges.
How often should we fly stockpile missions on an active construction site?
Weekly during heavy earthmoving, then bi-weekly or monthly once grading stabilizes—balancing labor cost against the need for current cut-and-fill data.
What is the typical field-to-finish timeline for a 40-acre stockpile survey?
About 20 minutes of flight time, 10 minutes to offload data, and 30–60 minutes of cloud or desktop processing—decision-ready volume numbers in under two hours.
What startup cost should we budget for a turnkey drone volumetrics kit?
Plan on $10k–$30k USD for an RTK-enabled mapping drone, batteries, controller, ground-control targets, and one year of processing software—often less than a single season of outsourced surveys.
How quickly does a drone program pay for itself?
Contractors commonly recoup the investment in two to four projects through reduced survey outsourcing, faster progress billing, and avoided rework driven by bad cut-and-fill data.
What FAA rules apply to drone stockpile operations in the United States?
Pilots must hold a Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate, follow daylight or authorized night operations, stay within visual line of sight unless a BVLOS waiver is granted, and observe any controlled-airspace authorizations via LAANC.
Do we need additional insurance to deploy drones on site?
Most builders add a $1-2 million aviation liability rider to existing CGL policies; many carriers treat drone operations similarly to mobile equipment once safety and Part 107 compliance are documented.
How does drone data integrate with our current takeoff, scheduling, or BIM software?
Processing platforms export LAS, GeoTIFF, DXF, CSV, and IFC files that import directly into Trimble, Autodesk Civil 3D, Primavera, Procore, or your estimating suite for seamless overlays on design surfaces and schedules.
Who owns the imagery, point clouds, and reports captured by the drone?
Unless otherwise specified in a contract, the construction firm commissioning the flight retains full data ownership and can archive or share deliverables at its discretion.
Can the same drone flights support progress billing documentation?
Yes—each flight is time-stamped and geo-referenced, producing surface models that quantify exactly how much material moved between draws, giving both owner and contractor a defensible pay-quantity record.
How do drones reduce safety risk versus manual pile measurements?
They eliminate the need for crews to climb unstable slopes or work in haul-truck traffic, cutting fall and struck-by hazards while still capturing centimeter-grade data.
What ground control or RTK setup is required for survey-grade volumes?
Either an onboard RTK/PPK module connected to a local base station or four to six photo-identifiable ground targets measured with an RTK rover will anchor the model to site control within survey tolerances.
How do we verify drone-calculated volumes before relying on them for pay apps?
Run a one-time validation: survey a test pile with both drone and conventional rover, compare the delta (should be < 3 %); once verified, repeat the same flight parameters and processing for future cycles.
Can drones help detect material theft or unexplained stockpile shrinkage?
Routine flyovers create a volumetric audit trail—flight-to-flight comparisons flag unexpected losses, and high-resolution imagery provides visual evidence for insurance or law-enforcement follow-up.