Skyports Drone Services has partnered with German construction leader HochTief to launch automated beyond visual line of sight, or BVLOS, “drone‑in‑a‑box” surveying at the Rheinbrücke Leverkusen bridge project on the River Rhein, north of Cologne.The operation uses a fixed automated drone station installed at the construction site. Skyports is overseeing all flights remotely from its operations center in Madrid, removing the need for on‑site pilots and providing greater flexibility and efficiency.The drone conducts weekly automated surveys, generating consistent data layers that track how the project evolves over time. The new Leverkusen bridge, slated for completion in 2028, requires major earthworks, the removal of the existing bridge, and new structures on both the east and west banks.Before this deployment, progress monitoring relied largely on manual inspections and occasional drone flights requiring personnel on site. Skyports’ system automates the process, improving frequency and accuracy while reducing staffing needs.Survey data is processed through DroneDeploy, producing 2D maps and detailed 3D models that help HochTief assess weekly progress, detect issues early, and keep the massive infrastructure project on schedule.“Large infrastructure projects are incredibly intricate and complex,” said Alex Brown, CEO of Skyports Drone Services. “With automated ‘drone‑in‑a‑box’ surveys we’re providing alternate perspectives and deep data insights that improve planning and help catch potential issues early.”Klaus Grüttner, executive vice president Europe at HochTief Infrastructure, said the partnership gives the company advanced monitoring capabilities and more precise information to support billing and optimize processes. “This cooperation enables us to monitor the construction progress seamlessly and cost‑efficiently,” he said.

2026-03-30 - Skyport Drone Services brings automated BVLOS surveying to HochTief construction project (UAS Magazine)

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Skyports Drone Services and HochTief have launched an automated BVLOS “drone‑in‑a‑box” system to survey the Rheinbrücke Leverkusen bridge construction project in Germany. Operated remotely from Madrid, the system delivers weekly 2D and 3D site data, improving accuracy, reducing staffing needs, and helping monitor progress on the bridge, which is expected to be completed by 2028.

Skyport Drone Services brings automated BVLOS surveying to HochTief construction project

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