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For the most part the items mentioned above are available. Google glass is available but Google Glass is a reiteration of older technology.

The first pen tablet I used was an IBM and ran Micro soft DOS operating system. State Farm used these for a time. (1T to the sky is the limit)

Dragon Naturally speaking is available for use. it is on my cell phone, a Samsung Galaxy S3.( It is a free downloaded from Play, Swipe & Dragon trial.)

The Logitech 800 headphone I am using has Bluetooth and USB capability. (about $100 with tax)

My Sony digital recorder feeds, Via USB into Dragon Naturally Speaking running on a custom built gaming desktop. ($400 for the recorder, about 4,000 for the desktop w/screens and video cards)

My photos go directly into my photo sheet and into DropBox and Google Drive, I can label them on site, but generally do not due to time constraints. (DropBox and Google Drive are free)

Disto has a Bluetooth laser inserts measurements directly. ( about $800)

GoPro makes a great waterproof, nearly indestructible video camera that can be mounted on a hard hat, but recording and battery charge have to be thought out in advance. ( about $500 with tax and mounts)

These technological marvels seem to be and are incredible, in and of themselves but my experience is that they generally do not speed up the scoping, estimate writing and reporting required on small claims.

Due to conditions surrounding major disasters, hurricanes primarily, there is an ever present danger of losing Wi-Fi connections, 4G LTE telephone connections and electrical power. After Katrina our cell connection initially came from a helicopter borne repeater that belonged to Murphy Oil. Wi-Fi was provided by a tower mounted repeater.

Going back to the same large loss 4 or 5 times, 8 to 12 hours per trip, and scoping in the cold, wet, black dark renders most of these marvels useless.

We have both a drone, custom built, and a remote controlled camera on a 4 x 4 radio controlled platform, both are great on warm, sunny afternoons, but in windy conditions the drone requires a high degree of attention, crashing the drone into an insured building is a horror, and the 4 X 4 needs a dry surface. ($ about 3T for the drone with camera, about $1000 for the 4 x 4 with camera)

None of this gear is particularly cheap and training is needed to utilize it effectively. (Training takes time and commitment, which ain't free)

For the most part fees and fee splits don't cover the cost involved.

I'd be very interested to know if others are using any of this technology effectively.

Posted By AcceleratedAdjuster on 11/24/2013 10:05 AM

Has anyone yet begun to utilize Google Glass for their inspections? I have applied for and am still awaiting a pair in the "explorer" program that they have in place prior to public release, and am just wondering how the rest of you see the potential of this amazing tool. Realtime video, photos at a word, text to speech capability... If they manage to stay on their game over at Xactware, and ensure that they keep up with Android compatible systems, it could be crazy. Imagine taking a photo and having it labelled and uploaded to your report before walking away. Maybe even write your narrative via voice to text, room by room. Add a construction grade tablet (you know, aluminum and Gorilla glass) for sketching and maybe a Parrot drone for those hard to access roofing systems, and our jobs could get a whole lot more interesting..

 

Anyone else plan to use it?

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I for one would be excited to utilize such technology. Yet it does make me wonder about the downside to these fantastic advances in technology:

What if any affect upon downgrading fee schedules. The drones for one, I find extremely exciting, yet using any drone at this point is apparently high upon the list of NO-NO's according to the FAA who claim they will pursue any entity using them in a commercial capacity. Granted they state they will demand an immediate cease and desist but will not seek any financial sanctions....yet.

Whilst the concept seems very appealing and of course cutting edge, yet I am hard pressed to see a situation where a drone would be a better option as opposed to say, a EagleView or Ridge Top Sketch satellite pic on hard to access or unstable roof systems.

Somewhat curious as to why any flood work would require the use of a drone, but hey I have been amazed before