ALFRED CHUA MING FENG Today Online 21 May 15;
The 3D models are created using photogrammetry, which involves the capturing of photos from different angles using high-speed digital photography. The photos are then used to calculate size and shape, and the 3D model is stitched together and edited with computer software.
This is the first time the URA is using a combination of drones and photogrammetry technology. It has used drones to capture aerial 2D images since 2013 for areas around Singapore such as the Jurong Lake District and the Rail Corridor.
Commenting on the use of drone technology, Mr Kelvin Ang, director of conservation management at URA said: “It offers us a safe, affordable and timely way to get information to monitor the state of our built heritage. With more information, we can work better with the community to better understand how to maintain the buildings for the future.”
In a press release today (May 20), the URA added: “Creating fine-grained 3D digital models of our built heritage potentially offers a new dimension to document our conserved buildings in more intricate and accurate detail. Planners can use these digital models to plan and carry out research, guide restoration, as well as monitor and manage the state of our built heritage in a more effective way.”
Not only is using drones cheaper and less manpower-intensive than previous methods to create 3D models, it also saves conservation planners from having to physically scale a building to see the rooftops and other aspects of conserved buildings, such as architectural motifs.
“Sharing these 3D digital models with the public also enables them to have a deeper appreciation of our built heritage,” added the URA.
The authority started the effort with a trial at the National University of Singapore Baba House in February in a partnership with tech company Avetics. In addition, the agency said it is exploring the creation of 3D digital models of the urban environment using drone technology, so as to help in urban planning.
In the coming months, the URA will carry out another trial to to capture accurate details of the profile, terrain, and contours of the Pearl’s Hill district and Chinatown area.
Said Mr Ang: “Being able to use 3D technology allows us to plan in a way that is closer to how citizens experience the city. We can understand our landscape better, and therefore make more informed decisions.”
With 3D models of city landscapes, planners can simulate various scenarios, and analyse different elements like transportation and wind tunnels.
Today, the URA also launched a month-long exhibition — partnering 15 organisations such as Gardens By The Bay and the Maritime and Port Authority — on how drones are changing the way the world is seen.
The free exhibition, which will run until June 25 at the URA Centre Atrium, showcases drones that can swim, or respond to voice control, and fall into three sections: 3D digital modelling, aerial imaging and environmental and infrastructure monitoring.
In his opening address at the launch, URA chairman Peter Ho said drone technology is helping to open up new possibilities for various uses.
“With the increasing use of drones and the immense possibilities they offer, I envisage a drone eco-system in the future in which infrastructure is developed to support their varying applications and the test-bedding of potential applications,” he added.
Heritage experts TODAY spoke to generally applauded the move to use drones to boost conservation efforts, but some cautioned against potential pitfalls.
Dr Nazry Bahrawi, a lecturer at Singapore University of Technology and Design, said: “While it is a laudable move in terms of the technological and cost benefits it brings, it also presents us an opportune time to open up the debate about the ethics of the usage of technology.”
URA explores creating 3D digital models of city area using drones
URA and local drone start-up Avetics have already worked on a trial to create a 3D digital model of the NUS Baba House at Neil Road, while more trials are planned for the Pearl's Hill district and Chinatown area.
Channel NewsAsia 21 May 15;
SINGAPORE: Digital models of the Republic's heritage sites and city areas created using aerial images by drones could be here to stay, if trials conducted by the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) are successful.
The URA said the technique is called photogrammetry, which is the science of making measurements from photographs. It had already partnered with local drone set-up Avetics to create a 3D digital model of the NUS Baba House at Neil Road, the agency said in a press release on Thursday (May 21).
A drone can also be used to capture the details of motifs along the NUS Baba House's air well. (Photo: URA)
"Creating fine-grained 3D digital models of our built heritage potentially offers a new dimension to document our conserved buildings in more intricate and accurate detail," URA said. "Planners can use these digital models to plan and carry out research, guide restoration, as well as monitor and manage the state of our built heritage in a more effective way."
The drone will fly for 15 to 30 minutes and take more than 300 photographs during that time. Each image taken is tagged with location coordinates.
"With the drone, you can make use of airspace around the building and fly all around it; take photographs from all angles, and put it back into a 3D building. The advantage is really time savings, colour and accuracy," said Avetics CEO Zhang Wei Liang. The planning process and public viewing, took the drone operators just two days.
For instance, conservation planners need not physically scale a building to see the rooftops and other aspects such as architectural motifs of conserved buildings, it said.
FASTER, MORE ACCURATE ANALYSIS
There are also plans in the coming months to collaborate with industry players to create 3D digital models of the Pearl’s Hill district and Chinatown area, the agency added.
If successful, planners can potentially use the models to facilitate faster and more accurate 3D analysis for various urban planning and design scenarios, URA said.
"3D information will let us plan in a way that is closer to how our citizens will experience the city. For example, do we understand the terrain of an area, where the trees are, what are the views etc? And where the buildings are located, so that we can better plan that wind is harnessed for greater comfort at a street level," said Mr Kelvin Ang, director for Conservation Management at URA.
A playground in Singapore through the lens of an aerial drone. (Photo: Avetics & Stefen Chow)
URA CEO Ng Lang said: “The current rapid advancement in disruptive technology offers exciting opportunities to explore new ways to plan, develop, and manage the city.
“Drone technology is one example. It allows us to conveniently capture and generate high-quality, precise 3D digital models of buildings that we used to take weeks to do, and at a lower cost.”
DRONE SHOWCASE
URA also launched its exhibition, Drones: Changing The Way We See The World, on Thursday, which showcases the advancement of Unmanned Vehicle (UV) technology, its applications as well as potential uses and future possibilities.
The exhibition will focus on three aspects of drone application – aerial imaging, 3D digital modelling and environmental and infrastructure monitoring, it said.
The URA has been using aerial images to simulate future developments in the planning of Jurong Lake District. (Photo: URA)
In particular, URA has been using drones to capture aerial images and videos for areas such as Jurong Lake District and Marina Bay. The images are used to map and document changes in Singapore’s urban landscape.
At the launch of the exhibition, URA chairman Peter Ho also pointed out that Shell uses drones to inspect their flare stacks in Jurong Island, helping them to save both time and manpower, while reducing safety risks.
"Within our neighbourhoods, you can fit drones with thermal sensors to help detect mosquito breeding grounds," he added.
Drones have also been used in emergency operations - the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) recently announced the use of aerial drones and other UVs for safer and more efficient fire-fighting.
The exhibition will run from May 21 to Jun 25 at the Urban Lab, URA Centre Atrium, and admission is free.
- CNA/ct
Govt agencies turn to drones to boost their operations
Amos Lee The Straits Times AsiaOne 22 May 15;
DRONES could soon be buzzing about more here, as government agencies start tapping unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) for various projects.
The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore, for instance, is working with local engineering firm Hope Technik to develop a Water Spider drone to better assess oil spills.
Also, last month, the Singapore Civil Defence Force announced the use of aerial drones for safer and more efficient firefighting. Drones are becoming more popular because they are getting cheaper to make.
Said Mr Mark Yong, chief executive of Garuda Robotics, which builds drones: "They are cheaper to manufacture today, and cost from a third to half the price of those made just a few years ago."
A simpler model could cost about $1,300 now, he noted.
At the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) Centre in Maxwell Road yesterday, the benefits were highlighted at an exhibition called Drones: Changing The Way We See The World.
The URA also announced a collaboration with various drone development firms to aid in urban planning.
One new application would see the creation of 3D digital models of heritage buildings using aerial images captured by drones.
Mr Zhang Weiliang, CEO of Avetics, which created the software for the 3D modelling, said most people think of drones as photo-taking devices.
"Here, we combine them with land survey and engineering," he explained.
URA planners can then use the models to monitor restoration and conservation efforts in a new way.
The models can also be uploaded on the Web and made accessible to the public.
In addition, the National Environment Agency could use drones to conduct building inspections and check for mosquito breeding grounds in higher or more dangerous places.
This would help to reduce the number of man-hours spent climbing up to rooftops, as well as cut costs.
Noted Mr Yong: "Drones are not just for flying and fun, and we are making them useful by collecting data."
