Handbook of Computational Sciences

14Analysis of Lakeshore Images Obtained from Unmanned Aerial Vehicles

Ivana Čermáková¹* and Roman Danel^1,2

¹Faculty of Economics, VSB – Technical University of Ostrava, Ostrava, Czech Republic

²Department of Mechanical Engineering, Institute of Technology and Businesses in České Budějovice, Ostrava, Czech Republic

Abstract

Water bodies and their surrounding areas are often problematic when it comes to remote sensing. However, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) can be used for both emergency events (e.g. floods) and for studying specific issues in small water bodies, such as shoreline changes or invasive plant growth. This chapter discusses the possibilities of analyzing lakeshores using UAVs and presents a case study focused on current issues in the area of lakeshore studies.

Keywords: Unmanned aerial vehicles, lakeshore images, remote sensing

14.1 Introduction

Unmanned Aerial Vehicles

Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) are defined as aerial vehicles that do not have pilots and are categorized into three main groups [1], namely,

• UAVs,
• Remotely piloted vehicles (RPVs) and
• Drones.

In general, the public at large does not recognize the term unmanned vehicles, and all three groups are seen as UAVs. More technical communities traditionally recognize the terms RPV and UAV. RPVs are remotely piloted vehicles controlled from a remote position. RPVs are always UAVs, but UAVs are not always RPVs, as UAVs can fly autonomously, and flights can be pre-programmed. The term drone describes ...