Real Time Photogrammetry — A Technique for Today or Tomorrow?

Abstract

Photogrammetry has been in regular use since 1980 to produce three dimensional measurements underwater, for a variety of tasks. The paper will briefly summarise the history of the technique, from its inspection orientated origins to the latest engineering related, deep water, ROV surveys, in order to analyse the strengths and weaknesses of the technique. This analysis will introduce the technological improvements, leading to the satisfaction of market demands, that can be made possible with advancing technology. The development of Real Time Photogrammetry, from the feasibility study to offshore trials, will then be introduced, emphasising the enormous possibilities of the technique and its component technologies: electronic still imaging; digital image data transmission and storage; real time and still stereo viewing; and near instant three dimensional measurements of complex objects. The by-products of the development will also be introduced, which include total electronic reporting systems and the database controlled replay of visual data within a networked computer system, with suggestions as to how these could influence structural and pipeline inspection, as well as engineering surveys in today’s, as well as tomorrow’s, world.