Reduce close-access exposure
Capture imagery beneath decks, around tall piers and near bearings where drone operation is suitable, reducing the need for personnel to approach hazardous areas.
BRIDGE INTELLIGENCE
Bridge Drone Inspection Solution
Turn Under-bridge Blind Spots into Repeatable Data Routes
For routine, periodic and special inspections of road, urban and railway bridges, autonomous drone operations connect 3D modeling, route planning, image capture, defect detection, result review and reporting.
BRIDGE TOP / BOTTOMPLAN · FLY · INSPECT · REPORTROAD · URBAN · RAIL
Customer Value Summary
Reduce personnel exposure during high-altitude and over-water image capture, connecting field inspection with defect review and reporting.
Reduce repeat planning and capture
Organize routes and capture tasks by bridge component and reuse validated missions to support consistent data collection across inspections.
Streamline organization and review
Link photos, component locations and suspected defects so reviewers can locate issues, organize findings and prepare inspection reports.
WHY IT MATTERS
From a Single Flight to Sustainable Digital Bridge Inspection
Bridge inspection is more than flying a drone. Every capture must be planned, reusable and verifiable. The solution combines drone operations, under-bridge positioning, component-level route planning and high-resolution imaging. A 61-megapixel full-frame camera, laser ranging and fill lighting provide clear images for defect detection, professional review and result management, completing the inspection workflow.
Complete DeliveryM400 primary platform / optional M4 for confined areas + high-resolution imaging system + INES positioning and navigation + ARP route planning + AGS ground station + bridge inspection data platform and local server
FIELD CHALLENGES
Four Critical Breakpoints in Traditional Bridge Inspection
Difficult Under-bridge Positioning
Satellite signals are easily blocked beneath decks and around beam recesses, piers and abutments, making GNSS-dependent operations difficult to sustain.
Height and Water Hazards
Work at height, bridge-inspection vehicles and waterside operations are complex to organize, while some blind spots remain difficult to approach safely.
Inconsistent Data Capture
Manual control can produce inconsistent distance, angle and clarity, reducing comparability between inspection cycles.
Results Are Hard to Trace
Without a unified link between large image sets, components and defects, review, localization and reporting become costly.
INTEGRATED SYSTEM
Six Capability Layers Form One Operational System
From flight platform to data platform, every module works along the same inspection mission chain.
Drone Operations Platform
The M400 supports long-endurance, detailed inspection of large areas such as major under-bridge girders and high piers, while the M4 extends coverage to confined spaces such as bearings and gaps between adjacent piers.
High-resolution imaging
A 61-megapixel full-frame camera combines laser ranging, precise focusing and fill lighting to support fine-crack detection and crack width and length measurement.
INES Positioning & Navigation
Integrated positioning, perception and navigation support continuity between above-bridge and under-bridge operations.
ARP Route Planning
Import the 3D bridge model and plan routes, waypoints and capture actions covering target components.
AGS Ground Station
Configure mission and camera parameters while monitoring route execution, flight status and capture progress.
Inspection Data Platform
Manage missions, components, images and defects in one place, supporting detection, review, localization and reporting.
01 · DRONE OPERATIONS PLATFORMM400 M4
Cover Large Areas with M400 and Reach Confined Spaces with M4
The two aircraft are configured together according to component scale and accessible space, balancing large-area detailed capture with local close-range inspection while maintaining mission continuity.
Large-Area, High-Precision Inspection
Designed for large inspection areas requiring long endurance and high-precision capture, including major under-bridge girders and high piers.
Close-Range Inspection in Confined Spaces
Designed for bearings, spaces between adjacent piers and other areas the M400 cannot enter or approach closely.
INES ONBOARD NAVIGATION
Explore the INES Onboard Navigation Module ↗Both M400 and M4 carry the INES onboard navigation module, enabling seamless switching between satellite positioning in open areas and GNSS-denied positioning beneath bridges.
HIGH-RESOLUTION IMAGING
High-resolution imaging reveals fine cracks
The dedicated bridge imaging system combines a full-frame camera, laser ranging and fill lighting. From clear images to dimensional measurement, it provides evidence for defect detection, professional review and maintenance records.
- Full-frame camera resolution
- 61 MP
- Spatial resolution
- 0.05 mm
- Capture distance for detecting 0.1 mm cracks
- 4 m
Full-frame, high-resolution imaging
A 61-megapixel full-frame camera delivers a spatial resolution of 0.05 mm and detects 0.1 mm cracks at a capture distance of 4 m, preserving fine surface-defect details on bridge components.
Laser ranging and precise focusing
Laser ranging measures the target distance to assist precise focusing. Distance and image data are combined to calculate crack width and length, supporting dimensional measurement and subsequent review.
Built-in lighting for challenging conditions
Built-in fill lighting illuminates the target surface in low-light conditions beneath bridges and in strong backlighting, helping capture clear images and preserve details in shadowed areas.
Spatial resolution, crack detectability and dimensional measurement accuracy are different metrics. Imaging and measurement results depend on lens configuration, capture distance, angle, lighting and flight stability. Defect measurements require professional review.
INES ONBOARD NAVIGATION01 02 03 04
Maintain Mission Continuity from Deck to Underside
Bridge inspection moves across open deck areas, girder undersides and piers with very different satellite-signal conditions. INES fuses RTK, LiDAR SLAM and inertial data to maintain continuous aircraft pose as positioning conditions change. It executes KML inspection missions generated by ARP onboard, keeping positioning, flight and image acquisition coordinated.
Continuous transition from deck RTK to under-bridge SLAM
RTK provides the position reference in open deck areas. When satellite signals weaken beneath the bridge, positioning transitions to LiDAR SLAM, reducing the impact of positioning-source changes on mission continuity.
Typical 5–10 cm positioning accuracy beneath bridges
An integrated point-cloud map and LiDAR SLAM provide stable position and attitude references for close inspection of girder undersides, piers and bearings.
KML-based coordination of flight and image capture
INES parses and executes routes, waypoints and actions exported by ARP, coordinating the aircraft, gimbal and camera so that routes, viewing angles and capture actions are more consistent across repeat inspections.
Mission resumption and status reporting
INES records waypoint and action progress, supports resuming from an interruption or selected waypoint, and reports position, attitude, positioning source and camera status to AGS so operators can continuously monitor the mission.
5–10 cm is the typical LiDAR SLAM positioning accuracy. Actual performance depends on the point-cloud map, bridge geometry, sensor configuration, installation calibration, flight speed and environmental conditions, and is subject to project-site testing.
Explore the INES Onboard Navigation Module ↗ARP ROUTE PLANNING
Understand Bridge Components before Generating Component-Oriented Inspection Routes
ARP brings the 3D bridge model, component annotation, route calculation and capture-action setup into one workspace. After target components, drone type, inspection distance and image overlap are selected, it generates candidate routes and waypoints for preview, review and adjustment before field execution.
Explore ARP Bridge Route Planning ↗Model & Components
Import a 3D bridge model and annotate target components such as piers, girders and arch ribs.
Parameterized Routes
Calculate candidate waypoints from component geometry, inspection distance, overlap and drone type.
Mission Delivery
Review routes and actions, export a KML mission and hand it to AGS for field execution.
Generated routes must be reviewed against site surveys, obstacles, airspace, weather and drone performance limits, followed by real-aircraft validation.
MISSION CONTROL
Route Execution and Field Status on One Screen
AGS centralizes route missions, camera parameters and flight status at the ground station, helping operators execute inspections through a standard workflow.
Explore AGS Drone Ground Station Software ↗
INSPECTION PLATFORM
Locate Defects Requiring Review in Large Image Sets
The inspection platform links missions, components, high-resolution images and suspected defects. AI assists screening, while professionals annotate, verify and revise results and view defect locations in 3D.
CracksHoneycombingExposed ReinforcementSpalling / DamageCorrosion
Detection results assist inspection; final conclusions must be reviewed by suitably qualified professionals.
Explore the Bridge Inspection Platform ↗
END-TO-END WORKFLOW
A Six-step Closed-loop Inspection Workflow
Build the Bridge Model
Use an existing BIM / 3D model or field data as the basis for route planning.
Plan Detailed Routes
Configure routes and capture actions for the deck, bridge sides, girder underside, piers, abutments and bearings.
Execute Autonomous Capture
Import the mission into AGS, confirm field safety conditions, then execute the inspection and monitor progress.
Archive Inspection Data
Collect images and position data, creating traceable relationships by mission and component.
Detect and Review Defects
AI assists with screening suspected defects; professionals annotate, confirm and revise the results.
Produce Inspection Deliverables
View defect distribution in 3D, compile statistics and generate reports to project requirements.
CORE CAPABILITIES
Make Captured Results Reusable, Comparable and Traceable
Under-bridge Positioning Accuracy
Onboard positioning based on LiDAR SLAM and related sensing provides stable positioning in GNSS-denied under-bridge environments.
Crack Detection Capability
The dedicated bridge imaging system detects 0.1 mm cracks at a capture distance of 4 m, supporting defect detection and professional review.
Navigation in GNSS-denied Environments
For obstructed environments such as bridge undersides, onboard positioning and perception provide 5–10 cm positioning accuracy to maintain operational continuity.
Component-level Coverage Planning
Organize detailed capture for girder undersides, webs, piers, cap beams, bearings and other components.
Repeatable Inspections
Reuse missions and routes to keep capture positions and viewpoints as consistent as possible between inspection cycles.
Image-to-model Association
Trace suspected defects to their components and spatial locations, shortening the reinspection path.
APPLICATION SCENARIOS
Cover Routine Inspection and Special Investigation
Routine and Periodic Inspection
Create standardized, reusable periodic inspection data for conventional girder and urban bridges.
Special Maintenance for Long-span Bridges
Capture elevated, under-bridge and waterside areas of cable-stayed, suspension, arch and other complex bridges.
Rapid Investigation of Abnormal Conditions
After a disaster or abnormal indication, provide imagery for priority-area review and subsequent professional inspection.
FIELD PRACTICE
Engineering Practice across Bridge Types and Environments
Projects cover highway, urban and elevated rail bridges in environments including mountainous high-pier sites, river crossings, coastal crossings and built-up urban areas. Real-world work continuously validates route planning, under-bridge operations and data capture.
FEATURED PRACTICE · GUIZHOU
Beipanjiang Bridge, Guizhou
Long-span Mountain Suspension BridgeFor deep valleys, large elevation differences and very long spans, multi-directional imagery covers towers, main cables, deck systems and bridge sides, demonstrating adaptability to complex structures and terrain.
01Mountain Bridge with High Piers
Heigouhe Bridge, Ankang
Multi-view capture of the overall bridge and priority components in valley terrain and long continuous spans.
02Long Continuous Elevated Bridge
Banlipo Bridge, Chengdu
Repeatable segmented missions organized around continuous spans and the surrounding corridor.
03River-crossing Bridge
Jinma River Bridge, Chengdu
Typical inspection views covering the deck, bridge sides, girder underside and waterside components.
04Valley Bridge
Sandushui Bridge, Chengdu
Capture paths planned around spans, piers and girders in river and high-elevation-difference conditions.
05Mountain Elevated Bridge
Ximengou Bridge, Chengdu
Field inspection organized for long distances, high piers and mountainous obstruction.
06Under-bridge Field Operation
Zhengxingwan Bridge, Chengdu
Close-range drone capture beneath the bridge validates operational reach in complex spaces.
07Deep-valley Waterside Bridge
Guanyinxia Jialing River Bridge, Chongqing
Multi-directional capture in bridges with large elevation differences, waterside exposure and constrained terrain.
08High-pier River-crossing Bridge
Lianjiang Grand Bridge, Guizhou
Overall and component-level inspection organized around high piers, long spans and valley conditions.
09Arch Bridge
Yunquan Grand Bridge, Guizhou
Capture viewpoints planned for arch rings, columns, deck systems and other structural directions.
10Coastal Rail Transit Bridge
Xiamen Metro Line 4 Coastal Bridge
Inspection data capture focused on girder undersides, piers and track direction in a coastal environment.
11Expressway Bridge
Shaanxi Expressway Bridge
Standardized, zoned field capture for a multi-span bridge on an operating corridor.
12Urban Rail Viaduct
Shenzhen Metro Line 6 Viaduct
Close-range capture of girder undersides, support zones and side components in an urban environment.
13River-crossing Cable-stayed Bridge
Wuhan Sino-French Friendship Bridge
Coverage of towers, stay cables, deck systems, waterside zones and other representative structures and environments.
14River-crossing cable-stayed bridge
Huaizhou Tuojiang Bridge, Chengdu
The main tower, stay cables and spans illustrate the site conditions for component-level inspection of a river-crossing cable-stayed bridge.
15Girder bridge over water
Jiulong Bridge, Chengdu
The girder undersides, piers and waterside setting illustrate the site conditions for under-bridge inspection.
16River-crossing arch bridge
Huaikou Bridge, Chengdu
The relationship between the arches, supports and water surface illustrates the site conditions for arch-bridge component inspection.
Images show selected engineering practices and field environments. A single image does not represent the complete scope of a project; configuration depends on actual requirements and the approved technical solution.
BUILD A REPEATABLE INSPECTION WORKFLOW
Contact a Solution Specialist ↗Take Bridge Inspection from Visible to Traceable
Configure the right equipment and software for the bridge type, component scope, operating environment and deliverable requirements.
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