Cairn will utilise DroneDeploy’s reality capture technology via drones, 360‑degree cameras and handheld 3D scanning across its portfolio
One of Ireland’s largest housebuilders, Cairn Homes, will deploy reality capture technology across over 25 active sites, to deliver faster inspections, higher data accuracy and clearer visibility.
In less than two years, Cairn’s reality capture programme has scaled from initial pilots to a multi‑year enterprise agreement that standardises the use of drones, 360‑degree cameras and handheld 3D scanning across its portfolio.
Reality capture insights are being utilised across the project lifecycle
Today, site management, engineering, town planning, aftercare and commercial teams use reality capture technology to capture, analyse and share high‑resolution site data. These insights drive everything from early-stage site assessments and design verification to progress tracking, trench documentation and proactive aftercare management.
From early design and site appraisal through to cut/fill analysis, site logistics, and final council handover plans, Cairn’s teams and design partners are using DroneDeploy’s aerial maps and 3D models as a single visual record of the entire project lifecycle. By overlaying drawings and work areas directly onto up‑to‑date site imagery, project teams can coordinate crane locations, haul routes, public interfaces and temporary works with greater confidence, reducing the risk of clashes and rework from initial concept to completion.
Expanding underground and AI applications
Using DroneDeploy’s Ground Pro 3D scanning and RTK‑enabled mobile capture, Cairn is now integrating trench scanning into its standard operating procedures. Selected trenches are scanned prior to backfilling, creating permanent, measurable records of installation depth, separation, and overall quality. By running this workflow alongside its existing process, Cairn is gathering the evidence needed to evaluate a broader rollout across its developments.
Cairn is also championing the innovative use of AI for project efficiency by testing DroneDeploy’s Progress AI to expand site oversight beyond manual reporting.
Adopting a more unified digital strategy across Irish housebuilding
“We are proud to support Cairn’s reality capture journey and be part of their broader digital construction and innovation strategy,” said Michael Bernatz, territory director, EMEA at DroneDeploy. “Cairn is not just experimenting with drones or AI – they are operationalising reality capture across their business. From trench verification and earthworks to progress tracking and safety, they are using a unified platform to reduce risk, improve coordination and give every stakeholder greater confidence in the decisions they make.”
“Digital construction is not a side project – it is central to how we plan and deliver our developments,” said Jakub Urbanczyk, digital construction manager at Cairn. “DroneDeploy allows us to bring all of our visual site data into one place and trust that it is accurate. We can see progress home by home and apartment by apartment, verify earthworks, plan site logistics and coordinate site works with a high level of accuracy. With our recent pilots of 3D Scanning and Progress AI we are building more robust processes and integrating site data into our business ecosystem.”
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