Drones in use for restoration work
Drones offer exciting possibilities in many areas - one of our most fascinating missions in 2024 took us to fly over the monastery church in Waldsassen. This impressive building is the focus of a project in which we used drone technology to take high-precision images for restoration and documentation purposes.
A digital twin of the monastery church
The aim of the mission was to create detailed images of the church. A high-resolution 3D model was calculated from around 2,000 drone images and a further 8,000 photos and laser scans. This model enables precise documentation of the architecture and serves as a basis for future restoration work. The project is part of Bayern 3D - Heimat digital, a project initiated and financed by Prof. Dr. G. Hirzinger, former director of the DLR Institute of Robotics and Mechatronics.
The 3D scanning and modeling process was carried out by illustrated architecture. The digital twin of the monastery church offers fascinating insights into the architecture. Take a look at the model for yourself here:
Flying challenge for experienced drone pilots
Flying indoors poses particular challenges, as the drone has to be controlled manually. Our experienced pilots mastered this task with the utmost precision and care. A steady hand and a practiced eye are essential to avoid causing damage in confined, sensitive environments such as the monastery church.
The result is impressive:
Drones as innovative helpers for restorations
This mission once again demonstrates the potential of drones in the preservation and restoration of historic buildings. They enable precise and cost-effective images that can be used for planning and restoration purposes - without endangering the building fabric.
