In Russia, AI-Powered Drones Are Mapping Roof Damage on Apartment Buildings

A new drone-based system in Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk uses AI to pinpoint roof defects and generate digital maps of the damage.

The roofs of apartment buildings inevitably deteriorate due to precipitation, weather, and other external and internal factors. Until recently, identifying damage meant deploying climbing crews, installing heavy equipment like truck-mounted lifts, and disrupting entire neighborhoods—often for weeks at a time.

Now, a less labor-intensive and more precise solution is taking hold. In the Russian city of Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk, intelligent drones are being used to inspect rooftops. These drones have already surveyed more than 30% of the city’s buildings, quickly identifying problem areas and recording defects on a digital map. Artificial intelligence plays a key role at every stage of the process.

The drones are also being used for urban greening projects. By generating detailed maps of vegetation—including the quantity and species of plants—they help city planners prioritize where to add new greenery.