11.8.2017

Enabling Aerial Data Applications With DJI Drones

Today’s businesses demand precise, timely, and comprehensive data to stay competitive. PrecisionFlight, our autonomous flight solution, helps pilots meet those demands. Built with software development kits from the world’s leading drone manufacturers (like DJI), we’ve created an aerial data capture app to satisfy a wide range of commercial use cases.

DJI has built the best-selling drones in the world. However, commercial missions are more complex than simply buying a Matrice 200 and taking off. To ensure accurate data capture, flight paths must be carefully planned and executed, sensors must be adjusted for different environmental conditions, and the subject matter must be considered during planning. These configurations vary widely; for example, a 1,000 square foot factory roof under total cloud cover requires a different flight plan than 1,000 acre palm tree plantation in full sunlight.

“There are two key challenges that commercial drone users face when collecting aerial data,” explains Joshua Puente, Lead iOS Software Engineer at PrecisionHawk. “First, managing the quality of the data capture; and second, ensuring that the data collection is repeatable. Our software enables both, so you can be sure of the consistency in the data captured.”

Drone apps like DJI GO are ideal for collecting video, but PrecisionFlight puts a wide range of commercial use cases at pilots’ fingertips. For mission planning, they can draw a survey area and orbits (for building and tower inspection), or upload KML files of the area of interest. Then, PrecisionFlight will automatically optimize the flight plan for accurate data capture. The app gives users fine control of their sensor as well as their drone, with the ability to lock-in headings to ensure imagery is captured at the best angle.

Most importantly, users benefit from PrecisionFlight’s intelligence. Based on our experience flying commercial missions, the app automatically monitors how flight parameters interact, making adjustments to ensure data quality. For example, if a mission is flown using a thermal sensor, the app automatically reduces airspeed and increases image overlap.

All of this advanced functionality is built on top of the features users have come to expect from drone flight software, such as emergency controls, in-flight sensor adjustments, and pre-flight checks. Looking ahead, we’re building on our partnership with drone manufacturers and experience in commercial data collection to deliver the next advances in drone flight software.

“By working with other industry leaders, like DJI, we’re able to track technology developments and optimize our software to integrate with leading drone platforms, all while focusing on the latest commercial applications,” says Ricky Hopper, Technical Lead of the PrecisionFlight mobile application team at PrecisionHawk.

Drone operators can download PrecisionFlight 2.0 for free on Android or iOS.