DroneDeploy, SafetyAI & Progress Reports
INTERNALOPERATIONS
VDC Lunch & Learn · Martin Horn
Presented by Habiba Elnagdy, VDC Coordinator
What We're Covering Today
Platform
and what it does for construction teams
What Is DroneDeploy?
A construction intelligence platform that turns aerial and ground-level captures into actionable data: maps, models, safety reports, and progress tracking, all in one place.
Drone Flights
Autonomous aerial missions capture site-wide photography, 3D maps, and orthomosaics from above.
Ground-level walkthroughs build a navigable record of the site at any phase.
SafetyAI
Computer vision scans walk footage and flags PPE violations, hazards, and unsafe conditions automatically.
Progress Reports
3D Models
Side-by-side comparisons and automated reports track site progress over time.
Photogrammetry turns drone or camera data into measurable 3D point clouds and surface models.
Orthomosaics & Maps
High-resolution georeferenced site maps for planning, layout verification, and owner updates.
360 Camera Walks
Capture Methods
DRONE vs. 360 CAMERA
DRONE FLIGHT
Aerial
Site-wide aerial photography & mapping
Generates orthomosaics, contour maps & 3D surface models
360 CAMERAWALK
Ground Level
Ground-level site documentation from any angle
Feeds SafetyAI, which runs hazard detection on walk footage
Automated flight path. Set it and let it fly
Generates progress reports with photo comparisons
Best for earthwork, site logistics & owner overviews
FLIGHT SCHEDULE
Pre-construction baseline · Monthly progress flights · Final closeout
Best for interior spaces, active work areas & safety checks
WHYIT MATTERS
Shows owners real progress · Protects against neighboring property claims
Drone Flight Schedule
BEFOREYOU BREAK GROUND,AND EVERYMONTHAFTER
Drone flights aren't just for mapping; they're a record. A consistent schedule protects Martin Horn, protects the owner, and keeps everyone informed.
Pre-Construction
Baseline Flight
Monthly Progress Flights
Final / Closeout Flight
Fly before any work begins. Captures existing conditions: grades, neighboring properties, and any pre-existing damage to adjacent structures.
Schedule a flight at the same point every month, ideally the first week. Builds a visual timeline from mobilization to substantial completion.
Captures the completed site: final grades, landscaping, parking, and all exterior work. Pairs with the Matterport final scan for a full inside-and-outside record.
If a neighbor claims Martin Horn damaged their fence or driveway, this flight is dated proof of what was there before day one.
Owners see real progress, not just a schedule update. Also admissible documentation if scope or schedule disputes arise later.
Closes the loop on site conditions for owner handoff and protects against post-completion property damage claims.
Tip: pair monthly flights with owner meetings. Open DroneDeploy and walk them through progress in real time.
3D Mode, Video & Capture Options
WHATHAPPENS WHENYOU HIT'3D'
When you start a walk in DroneDeploy and select 3D, you unlock a set of capture modes. Each produces a different output. Here's what they are and when to use them.
3D Capture Mode
3D
Photogrammetry mode: the camera captures overlapping stills that DroneDeploy stitches into a measurable 3D point cloud and surface model.This is the most data-rich option.
Record Video
Continuous video recording of your walk. Feeds directly into SafetyAI processing, where the platform scans the footage frame-by-frame for PPE compliance and site hazards.
Photo Capture
Still photo mode captures high-resolution images at set intervals or manually. Photos are geotagged, timestamped, and organized in your project timeline automatically.
Best for: structural documentation, earthwork verification, as-built comparisons
Best for: safety walkthroughs, daily site documentation, owner progress updates
Best for: punch list documentation, RFI support, progress photo archives
SafetyAI
Automated hazard detection, every walk, every time.
PPE Detection: Flags missing hard hats, vests, eye protection & fall protection
Housekeeping Hazards: Identifies debris, blocked walkways, tripping hazards & unsecured materials
Equipment Proximity: Detects unsafe proximity to active machinery or energized areas
Automated PDF Report: Summary report generated after every walk; timestamped, geotagged, shareable
After every walk: report uploads to SharePoint → VDC Coordinator reviews →AI platforms analyze trends to predict & prevent accidents.
SharePoint &AIAnalysis
FROM REPORTTO PREVENTION
Every Safety AI report gets uploaded to SharePoint. Over time, that library of reports becomes a dataset, one that AI platforms like Claude or ChatGPT can analyze to spot patterns and predict where the next incident might happen before it does.
Upload to SharePoint
Organized by Project & Date
AIAnalysis: Predict & Prevent
After each walk, the VDC Coordinator uploads the DroneDeploy SafetyAI PDF report to the designated SharePoint folder, organized by project and date.
Reports are stored in a consistent folder structure: Project →Year → Date.This makes it easy to pull historical reports for any project at any time.
AI platforms like Claude or ChatGPTcan read the full report library and identify recurring hazard locations, trade patterns, and high-risk periods, flagging them before an incident occurs.
Owner: VDC Coordinator
Naming: Project Name / YYYY-MM-DD
Tools: Claude, ChatGPT, Copilot The
Progress Reports
AUTOMATED. VISUAL. SHAREABLE.
DroneDeploy automatically builds progress reports from your captures, with no manual assembly required.
Timeline View
Every capture is plotted on a project timeline. Scroll back to any date and see exactly what the site looked like, drone or ground level.
Photo Comparisons
Side-by-side before/after views of any area of the site. Great for showing owners progress milestones or documenting scope changes.
Automated Reports
DroneDeploy generates a formatted PDF report from each capture session: date, photos, coverage map, and safety flags all in one.
Share withAnyone
Send a link directly to owners, architects, or inspectors. No login required; they can view progress updates from any browser.
How to Run a Walk
Open DroneDeploy & SelectYour Project
Log in, tap your active project. Make sure the 360 camera is charged and connected to your phone or iPad via the app.
ChooseYour Capture Mode
Tap the camera icon → select 3D, Record Video, or Photo. For a safety walk, use Video. For documentation, use Photo or 3D.
CAPTURE Walk the Site Methodically
Move at a steady pace, overlapping your path 30–40%. Cover all active work areas. Don't skip mechanical rooms or stairwells.
Processing on LTE is slow and unreliable. Wait for WiFi. Upload time is usually 10–20 minutes for a full walk.
ReviewAI Flags & Upload Report
Once processed, open the SafetyAI report. Review flags, then upload the PDF to SharePoint (Project →Year → Date folder). Forward to safety officer as needed.
Quick Reference: Keep This Handy
✔ DO
Walk at least once a week. Consistency is the point
Use Video mode for every safety walk
CoverALLareas, since trades need every space documented
Upload report to SharePoint same day (Project /Year / Date) ReviewAI flags and document your response
Save report links in Procore under the date
✘ DON'T
Don't rush the walk. Steady pace = betterAI reads
Don't skip floors or mechanical rooms
Don't upload on LTE if you can avoid it
Don't let SharePoint uploads pile up. Do it same day
Don't ignoreAI flags. Log your response
Don't fly the drone without checking FAAauthorization martinhorn.com · VDC Coordinator on file · Questions? Ask your PM.