Latest Developments in 3D Mapping with Unmanned Aerial Vehicles

Dear Colleagues,

Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) have become indispensable for remote sensing applications. UAVs have created fascinating possibilities to gather data in ways that have not been possible before. In many scenarios, UAVs have become a viable alternative to traditional airborne sensors and, even more, they have expanded the use of aerial data in application scenarios where this has not been done before.

One specific field of application that has benefited from these developments is 3D reconstruction and mapping. Due to their small size and weight, UAVs can carry sensors (camera, laser scanner, etc.) very close to structures of interest and are able to produce high-resolution measurements. UAVs can move into positions that provide unobstructed views onto surveyed structures and easily can provide full coverage. 

These properties make UAVs very well suited to be used, e.g., in urban environments, as they allow for the generation of high-fidelity maps, orthoimages, or 3D digital reconstructions of as-built structures likes buildings or other man-made infrastructures. Other application domains where UAV’s are frequently used are environmental 3D mapping and monitoring, change detection analyses, the digitalization of natural heritage, precision farming, digital twinning, etc.

A big role for the success of UAV platforms and data is played by algorithms and techniques for proper sensors handling and data processing. Algorithms for 3D reconstruction and 3D mapping are crucial to generate high-quality 3D measurements, and despite many years of UAV investigations and applications, there are still various R&D open issues related to such platforms.

The Special Issue is proposed as a cross-discipline and sector Issue, with the aim of contributing to an increase in the level of knowledge in the context of UAV for 3D mapping. In particular, we solicit papers presenting investigations with UAV platforms and remote sensing data acquired with these platforms:

-Large-scale mapping and 3D reconstruction;

-Autonomous navigation;

-3D documentation of complex scenarios;

-Onboard SLAM;

-Online and real-time processing;

-Data fusion (integration of UAV data with other sources);

-Machine/deep learning for UAV perception (real-time object detection, semantic classification for navigation, etc.);

-Applications in non-topographic fields (agriculture, forestry, etc.).

Dr. Friedrich Fraundorfer
Dr. Fabio Remondino
Guest Editors

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