3D Robotics (3DR) has announced that ground control points (GCPs) are now available to be processed in its Site Scan UAS data platform for engineering and construction.

GCPs are “easily-identifiable markers on the ground of a jobsite that can be used to ‘georeference’ drone maps and models,” which makes it possible to not only increase the absolute accuracy of UAS data, but also creates superior deliverables such as orthomosaics, point clouds, and more. 

“Ground control points are a game-changer for Site Scan,” says Chris Swigert of Liberty Excavators.

“Now, I can easily tag and process GCPs in the cloud, and deliver my clients more accurate drone maps and models than ever before.”

3DR says that “processing with GCPs in Site Scan offers industry-leading precision,” as customers can achieve horizontal accuracy of 0.25 inches and vertical accuracy down to 0.25 inches while using GCPs and flying at 100 feet with the Site Scan Sony R10C.

As a part of this launch, 3DR has also introduced Lightning, which it calls the “fastest and easiest ground control point workflow on the market.”

Thanks to Lightning’s “intuitive user experience,” Site Scan users can enter and tag GCPs five times faster than other workflows on the market.

3DR says that Lightning eliminates the hassle of having to rely on slow, inefficient GCP processes, as Lightning provides a simple way to create deliverables that Site Scan customers and their clients deem exceptional.