System and method for structural inspection and construction estimation using an unmanned aerial vehicle

An image and information capturing and processing system comprising a server configured to:

• receive unmanned aerial vehicle output data, wherein the unmanned aerial vehicle output data comprises geotagged images of a structure area of interest and global positioning system information, comprising highly redundant imagery with full generality of structural shape, height, obstructions, and operator errors, which requires no a priori topographic or aerial image data, that can be used to generate a reconstruction accurately scaled in three dimensions;
• store the unmanned aerial vehicle output data in an image database;
• and
• generate a three-dimensional photogrammetric point cloud and/or an orthomosaic image over the entire structure area of interest.

A method of capturing and processing images automatically comprising:

• receiving unmanned aerial vehicle output data by a server, wherein the unmanned aerial vehicle output data comprises image data from one or more acquisition trajectories with varying range and camera orientation, wherein the one or more acquisition trajectories include an orbital scan of oblique images where each includes the entire structure, a downward facing grid scan at close proximity of the top of the structure area of interest, or a side facing orbital scan of the walls at or near the structure height;
• storing the unmanned aerial vehicle output data in an image database on the server;
• and
• generating a three-dimensional photogrammetric reconstruction and orthomosaic image by the server over the structure area of interest.