Maximising Survey Accuracy and Coverage with NavVis VLX 3 and DJI Drones

In today’s built environment, capturing accurate and complete data is more important than ever. Whether for compliance, refurbishment, or long-term asset management, clients demand survey outputs that leave no gaps. At Airey Miller Surveys, we’ve enhanced our workflows by combining the NavVis VLX 3 mobile scanner with DJI drone technology — providing unmatched flexibility, speed, and precision.

Why Combine Scanners and Drones?

Traditional surveying methods often face challenges: tripod-based equipment can struggle in tight, occupied, or complex internal environments, while external elevations and rooftops can be time-consuming or unsafe to access. By pairing NavVis VLX 3 with DJI drones, we deliver the best of both worlds:

NavVis VLX 3: SLAM-based, wearable scanner capturing internal spaces quickly and accurately, even in narrow corridors, stairwells, or live environments.
DJI Drones: High-resolution aerial scanning and imagery for façades, rooftops, and large external areas, removing the need for scaffolding or disruptive access.

Together, they provide a seamless internal-to-external dataset — feeding directly into BIM-ready models, 2D plans, and digital twins.

Key Benefits of the Combined Approach

Complete Coverage: Every corner of a building — inside and out — documented in one consistent dataset.
Safer Surveys: Drones remove the need for working at height or costly access equipment.
Faster Delivery: Projects completed in hours, not days, reducing disruption for residents, staff, or tenants.
High-Accuracy Outputs: Point clouds, digital twins, and CAD drawings that are precise and reliable.
Versatility: Ideal for housing estates, offices, schools, leisure facilities, and historic sites.

Real-World Applications

We’ve deployed this combined workflow across a range of projects:

Residential estates: capturing internal layouts alongside roof structures and façades.
Offices and leisure facilities: scanning interiors with NavVis VLX 3 while drones document external elevations.
Heritage assets: surveying fragile or inaccessible areas safely and with minimal disruption.

The result is a single, unified dataset that saves time, reduces costs, and provides clients with confidence in their records.

Why Airey Miller Surveys?

Our team blends cutting-edge technology with sector expertise in housing, education, heritage, and commercial environments. By combining NavVis VLX 3 and DJI drones, we deliver outputs that support: