Quality assurance with modern tools: drones and artificial intelligence in construction supervision

Introduction
Construction projects are becoming increasingly complex, and time- and cost-pressure have reached unprecedented levels. While errors consume on average 5–10 % of project costs, digital quality assurance—led by drones and artificial intelligence (AI)—offers a revolutionary answer: fast, precise and safe supervision throughout the entire construction life-cycle.
GlobeNewswire

1. Why did quality assurance need to be digitalised?

• Higher speed, less risk – AI-driven drones cover in minutes the same area that ground teams would need hours for, without dangerous heights or tight spaces.
  Amazon Web Services, Inc.

• Real-time intervention – Machine vision immediately signals cracks, moisture or deviation from the plan, thus expensive rework can be prevented early.
  IARJSET

• Predictive maintenance – AI algorithms built on large data sets predict structural problems in advance; at Duke Energy, for example, a drone-AI pair in pilot operation already reduces unexpected failures.
  Optelos

2. Drones in construction supervision

2.1 What can modern drones do?

Where is accuracy today?

• Photogrammetry + RTK: 1–3 cm horizontal, 2–5 cm vertical accuracy without ground control points.
  UAV Coach

• Drone-LiDAR: up to 0.9 cm vertical deviation even at higher flight altitude.
  JOUAV

2.2 Advantages

• Near-millimetre measurement: precise alignment to BIM, less rework.

• Safety: personnel risk is minimised at heights, depths or dangerous zones.

• Speed: surveying a 50-hectare area with LiDAR in < 30 minutes.

• Documentability: every flight is retrievable and auditable, so disputes are settled faster.

2.3 Disadvantages

• Initial investment: RTK- and LiDAR-capable platform 10–50 k EUR.

• Data flood: storing and processing large clouds and 8K videos demands serious IT background.

• Regulations: EU and national UAS rules (e.g. BVLOS, data protection) may restrict full autonomy.

3. AI in real-time data processing

Advantages

• Automated recognition: cracks > 1 mm can also be filtered.

• Real-time alert: instant message to the on-site team.

• Learning algorithms: hit accuracy increases with every new flight.

Disadvantages

• Data protection: GDPR handling of employees and neighbouring properties.

• “Black-box” effect: model explainability is key to sectoral acceptance.

• Training need: drone-pilot + AI-operator competence is scarce on the Hungarian market.

4. Integrated workflow (Drone + AI)

• Autonomous flight planning – downloading RTK points, route optimisation.

• Data collection – RGB, LiDAR, thermal sensors in a single flight.

• Edge processing – pre-filtering on the onboard GPU; critical error instant push message.

• Cloud AI analysis – comparison with BIM, quantity deviation, safety.

• Dashboard & report – visual map, 3D model, KPIs and log export.

According to the Optelos presentation at Utility Analytics Week 2024, thanks to the integrated workflow operations achieved up to 40 % cost saving and significantly greater uptime.

5. Future visions (2025 → 2030)

• Full autonomy – BVLOS flight combined with docking stations.

• 5G + Edge – high-bandwidth live stream, local inference without latency.

• Generative AI – automatic correction suggestions via 3D plan-as-built comparison.

• Carbon-footprint monitoring – AI calculates the construction CO₂ profile in real time.

6. Summary

Drones and artificial intelligence already enable centimetre-accurate, fast and safe quality assurance in general contracting today. Although the technology is investment- and knowledge-intensive, the drastic reduction of errors and accidents, rapid ROI and premium client experience represent tangible advantage. Whoever takes the step now can forge a competitive edge in tomorrow’s digital construction industry.

Sources

• DJI Enterprise – Matrice 350 RTK: Specifications (2024)

• UAV Coach – Drone Surveying Guide (2025)

• JOUAV – Everything You Need to Know about LiDAR Drone (2024)

• AWS Machine Learning Blog – AI Workforce: Using AI and Drones to Simplify Infrastructure Inspections (2025)

• GlobeNewswire – Drone Inspection and Monitoring Global Market Report 2024-2030 (2025)

• IARJSET – Remote Monitoring of Construction Sites Using AI and Drones (2024)

• Optelos – Utility Analytics Week 2024 Recap: Drone Inspection and AI in Utilities (2024)