Images are so clear that engineers like Sofie Weber-Snapp can see items as small as a cooler in a truck. But, the potential for drones is much bigger. Businesses that use them can expect cost savings, fewer safety risks and a faster ability to gather critical data to design and build structures.

Weber-Snapp’s employer, Atlanta-based Environmental Planning for client assessments. “Now we decided to try to do the drone instead, over a regular plane,” said Weber-Snapp, an Environmental Engineer and Senior Scientist. “The drone is half the price, which is a big thing.”