Unique Mapping Solution from ScientificAerospace and DroneMetrex

Pioneering Perth drone manufacturer ScientificAerospace together with mapping experts DroneMetrex in Adelaide have developed a unique photogrammetric mapping solution that will revolutionise the Geospatial Industry.

Building on the advantages of ScientificAerospace’s industry-proven experience over eight years in six continents, their uniquely designed and technically advanced multi-rotor drone is a perfect synergy with DroneMetrex’s world-leading mapping accuracy technology to produce the world’s most accurate, safest and easiest complete photogrammetric mapping system – the TopoDrone-4Scight (TD-4Scight).

The TD-4Scight easily collects photogrammetric mapping data of unprecedented accuracy (20mm horizontal and better than 25mm vertical) for rapid integration into a wide range of industries including Surveying, Urban Mapping, Civil Engineering, Mining, Agriculture, Bridge and Dam Wall Mapping, Post Disaster Mapping, Waste Management, Recycling and other industries.

ScientificAerospace Managing Director Richard Pace said the TD-4Scight will be invaluable for many of his customers.

“The new mapping system is very affordable and it is easy to use without complicated setup. It requires minimal training and it is easy to transport,” he said.

The TD-4Scight can be used almost anywhere including urban areas and difficult-to-access areas because it is a vertical take-off and landing drone rather than a fixed wing.

Unique vented ducts of the rotors guarantee that TD-4Scight is the most efficient, stable VTOL drone mapping system, especially in stronger winds.

They also provide safety advantages because of no exposed blades. The TD-4Scight can also easily capture aerial data in spark free safety conscious applications, because of its non-conductive airframe and brushless motors.

Users will benefit from a whole set of the TD-4Scight unique features such as mapping without ground control points. The TopoDrone-4Scight goes with PPK Direct Georeferencing Solution which logs all the high precision GPS satellites (from US, Europe, Russia and China) on board theTD-4Scight, synchronised to the nano-second with the camera shutter.

The accurate synchronisation is very important to achieve high mapping accuracies. Differential GPS post-processing is then used to obtain the accurate camera positions that are required for the photogrammetric aerial triangulation. It significantly improves mapping accuracy for larger projects as well as quality of the photogrammetric mapping.

At the same time PPK Direct Georeferencing Solution significantly reduces time for the final photogrammetric aerial triangulation and data processing time.

The TD-4Scight uses modern compact digital camera technology, with a calibrated Hasselblad glass lens housed in a revolutionary Dynamic-stabilised Active Mount (DSAM).

This DSAM ensures camera near-nadir position of each and every photo plus no “crab” (yaw). Another unique feature of the TD-4Scight is the mounting of DSAM with camera at the bow of the drone.

This allows for mapping in either nadir mode, landscape mode or zenith mode (“pointing-up”). Nadir mode is used for conventional mapping; landscape mode - for bridge deformation, dam wall measurement, or structure mapping; zenith mode allows the user to map and measure the underneath of bridges and structures.

The TD-4Scight mapping drone is being developed to be used with interchangeable sensors including thermal and HD video.

The TD-4Scight system is completed with the inclusion of the “4Survey” flight planning and autonomous flight control software, along with “4Survey-Precision”: the GPS post-processing software enabling mapping with minimal survey ground control requirements.

Both 4Survey and 4Survey-Precision were specifically developed for the TD-4Scight.

Managing Director of DroneMetrex, Thomas Tadrowski said this was the future of Geospatial Industry as it made accurate surveying and photogrammetric mapping easy.

“The new system will significantly increase surveying and mapping efficiency in response to a growing demand for fast and affordable mapping data of highest quality,” Mr Tadrowski said.

Mr Pace said he was excited to be working with C. R. Kennedy as the exclusive reseller of the TD-4Scight in Australia.

ScientificAerospace and DroneMetrex also have formalised sales distribution agreements with distributors in New Zealand, South Korea, the UAE and Germany.

Mr Pace said agreements would be in place with exclusive distributors in the United States and Great Britain in coming months.