Featured Article: “The Chain That Counts” from xyHt
Producing survey-grade drone data requires more than advanced sensors; it depends on an integrated workflow that ensures accuracy from collection through final deliverables.
At XPONENTIAL 2026 in Detroit, industry leaders from across the geospatial ecosystem gathered to discuss one of the biggest challenges facing drone mapping today: transforming raw sensor data into survey-grade deliverables that professionals can trust. The panel explored every stage of the workflow from positioning and sensor fusion to quality assurance, GIS integration, and final project delivery.
Phoenix LiDAR President Rob Dannenberg joined representatives from Trimble Applanix, GEODNET, and Esri to share practical insights into the technologies, processes, and industry standards that help ensure reliable mapping results. The discussion also addressed evolving topics including GNSS corrections, SLAM, ground control, quality control, workforce development, and what “survey grade data” really means in today’s geospatial industry.
This article, published by xyHt, provides an excellent overview of the complete drone mapping workflow and the considerations that separate successful data collection from dependable project deliverables.
Read the full article “The Chain That Counts” on the xyHt website.
