tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-84946445473117713132024-02-20T04:33:43.356-08:00GerladoTommyThe Personal Collectionshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16114937188048558330noreply@blogger.comBlogger21125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8494644547311771313.post-26724284577495285482022-12-21T03:47:00.007-08:002022-12-21T03:47:47.069-08:00Photogrammetry 101<p><span style="background-color: white; color: #585858; font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; letter-spacing: 1px;">Photogrammetry 101 provides a basic introduction to the subject, allowing anyone with little or no technical knowledge to begin their exploration of photogrammetry. It covers such topics as how to do an offline survey, the triangulation principle, and some of the challenges of doing photogrammetry.</span></p><h2 style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: var(--iq-title-text); font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; font-size: 1.4em; font-weight: 500; letter-spacing: 1px; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px;">Triangulation principle</h2><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #585858; font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; letter-spacing: 1px; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px;">Photogrammetry is a form of coordinate measurement that uses triangulation to calculate the position of a point. It primarily involves measuring and interpreting photographs and energy patterns in digital format. The process can be used for various applications, including 3D modeling, geographic databases, and other purposes.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #585858; font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; letter-spacing: 1px; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px;">A well-planned photogrammetric survey can provide accurate, reliable information about a site or environment. However, many factors must be considered to achieve optimum results. For example, a trade-off must be made between the number of photos and their accuracy.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #585858; font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; letter-spacing: 1px; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px;">A well-planned survey also has to consider any blockage that might occur along the way. For example, if a camera is obstructed by a bush, then the accuracy of the triangulation will be reduced. Another factor is the geometry of the area.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #585858; font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; letter-spacing: 1px; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px;">Ideally, the triangulation process involves taking at least two pictures. Each photograph must include a minimum number of well-distributed points. This is often achieved by partially overlapping measurements, which are more common for objects with multiple sides.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #585858; font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; letter-spacing: 1px; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px;">The main purpose of aerial triangulation is to determine the correct orientation of each image. This will ensure that the photogrammetric models can be oriented accurately. In addition, it may be used for 3D feature extraction, DTM generation, and stereo compilation.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #585858; font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; letter-spacing: 1px; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px;">Although there are several possible approaches to this task, one of the most effective is using a bundle adjustment program. Also known as self-calibration or resection, a bundle adjustment program can be used to select the images and perform several other functions at the same time.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #585858; font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; letter-spacing: 1px; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px;">One advantage of this method is that it is relatively inexpensive. Another is that it allows for the simultaneous measurements of a large number of points. An additional benefit of the process is that it can be applied to aerial photos, satellite imagery, and hard-copy photo slides.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #585858; font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; letter-spacing: 1px; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px;">Ultimately, it is a complex process that will vary depending on the type of machine. While there are various methods, the main goal is to produce a digital model of the location of a point.</p><h2 style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: var(--iq-title-text); font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; font-size: 1.4em; font-weight: 500; letter-spacing: 1px; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px;">Free and open-source photogrammetry software</h2><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #585858; font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; letter-spacing: 1px; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px;">Photogrammetry is a technique of collecting valuable information on objects by using images. You can use this technology to capture entire areas or individual objects and get reliable data on them. It is often used by architects, surveyors, and engineers.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #585858; font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; letter-spacing: 1px; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px;">Photogrammetry requires special software. These are available in the market and are compatible with most desktops. Moreover, they can produce drawings based on the real world. They can also create 3D models from photographs.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #585858; font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; letter-spacing: 1px; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px;">Agisoft Metashape is a popular photogrammetry software. This software can process digital and aerial images. Besides, it can generate textured 3D models and create survey-grade orthographic maps. The software is widely used in urban reconstruction, visual effects production, cultural heritage documentation, and game development.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #585858; font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; letter-spacing: 1px; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px;">Photogrammetry is a cost-effective solution for creating point clouds. Compared to laser scanning, it is cheaper and fast. However, it is essential to note that the accuracy of the resulting 3D model is limited by the image resolution. Therefore, a better camera will be more accurate.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #585858; font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; letter-spacing: 1px; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px;">PIX4D is a professional photogrammetry software that can provide accurate measurement tools. It also allows users to work on their models online. If you want a free trial, you can try PIX4Dmapper, which the software company provides. Alternatively, you can opt for a paid version.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #585858; font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; letter-spacing: 1px; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px;">Meshroom is another popular photogrammetry software. This software provides a user-friendly interface for creating and editing 3D models from photographs. It works on Linux and Windows platforms. You can also access a free tutorial on how to use Meshroom.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #585858; font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; letter-spacing: 1px; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px;">Dronemapper is a Windows photogrammetry software. It offers a free trial with 150 images, and you can upgrade to a paid plan. As for the technical support, it is a one-time fee of $57.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #585858; font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; letter-spacing: 1px; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px;">Pix4D is a photogrammetry software that can create models from drone images. The software is based on open-source technologies and is compatible with a wide range of hardware. Moreover, it includes 5-mapping mapping programs. All in all, it is an excellent tool for capturing and measuring various data sources.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #585858; font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; letter-spacing: 1px; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px;">Among the most popular photogrammetry software, WebODM has become a leading solution. It can create accurate point clouds and elevation models. Unlike other software, it offers a customizable interface that can be rebranded. And it can be run offline. Moreover, it has API integration and GCP support.</p><h2 style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: var(--iq-title-text); font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; font-size: 1.4em; font-weight: 500; letter-spacing: 1px; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px;">Offline photogrammetry survey</h2><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #585858; font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; letter-spacing: 1px; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px;">Photogrammetry is a measurement method that combines 2D photographs with geometric relationships to produce three-dimensional models. This technique has been used for decades to gather physical information from aerial images and can be helpful in a wide range of applications.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #585858; font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; letter-spacing: 1px; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px;">The process can be applied to terrestrial, aerial, and space-based photography. A photogrammetry survey typically involves a series of photos taken from different angles and over some time. If the images cover a large area, capturing all of the data can be time-consuming. However, photogrammetry is an excellent solution for cost-effectively obtaining accurate measurements and maps.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #585858; font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; letter-spacing: 1px; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px;">It is often used with drones and GPS data to create precise 3D models of real-world scenes. These models are beneficial for creating visually appealing advertisements or videos. They also play a vital role in keeping inventory reports and other essential documents up-to-date.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #585858; font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; letter-spacing: 1px; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px;">Photogrammetry is also a good choice for documenting precise details of a crime scene. In addition, it can help bring historical elements to the virtual world. For instance, it can help capture exact data about the size and shape of a building, as well as the condition of its interior.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #585858; font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; letter-spacing: 1px; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px;">For many years, the aerospace industry was the primary user of photogrammetry. But recent technological advances have prompted more users to try this helpful measurement tool.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #585858; font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; letter-spacing: 1px; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px;">Among the many benefits of using photogrammetry is its ability to capture high-quality photos. To get the best results, it is recommended to use a quality camera. Also, it is essential to collect several images in succession. That way, the camera can automatically calibrate itself.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #585858; font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; letter-spacing: 1px; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px;">Another notable benefit is the accuracy of the data. The process allows for accurate measurement of large objects in adverse conditions. On top of that, it is also cost-effective. With the help of the right equipment, a photogrammetric survey can be conducted at a fraction of the cost.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #585858; font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; letter-spacing: 1px; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px;">There are also low-cost tools available that enable non-expert users to participate in the image-processing phase. Some examples of these tools include SCANN3D.</p><h2 style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: var(--iq-title-text); font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; font-size: 1.4em; font-weight: 500; letter-spacing: 1px; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px;">Challenges with photogrammetry</h2><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #585858; font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; letter-spacing: 1px; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px;">Photogrammetry is the process of creating 3D models using photographs of real-world objects. To produce a precise 3D model, the images need to be taken with a high-quality camera. The process requires a computationally intensive phase where the objects are reconstructed into three-dimensional coordinates.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #585858; font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; letter-spacing: 1px; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px;">Photogrammetry can create 3D models of structures, landscapes, and job sites. It can also be combined with LiDAR for more accurate results. Both techniques offer their advantages; however, each has its own strengths and weaknesses. You can choose the right solution for your project depending on your needs.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #585858; font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; letter-spacing: 1px; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px;">Using photographs to create 3D models has traditionally presented many practical challenges. Oftentimes, a photogrammetry 3D model is composed of many meshes, may not have smooth surfaces, and may require aerial photography. Moreover, the process involves a lot of time and effort.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #585858; font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; letter-spacing: 1px; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px;">Aside from the technical challenges, there is the issue of logistics. While airborne LiDAR has proven utility to complement conventional photogrammetry, it is not a perfect solution. Some factors to consider when choosing the best approach for your project include accuracy requirements, your budget, and your environment.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #585858; font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; letter-spacing: 1px; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px;">When choosing between photogrammetry and LiDAR, you must consider your long-term goals. Whether you're planning to use it for architectural design, infrastructure inspection, stockpile calculations, or other projects, it's essential to decide how your organization will integrate the technologies. You also need to determine your ROI in the short and long term.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #585858; font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; letter-spacing: 1px; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px;">Another challenge in handling large projects is the data you'll need to acquire. Managing projects with thousands of images are complicated, and processing the data can be difficult. Handling big data requires a more sophisticated, up-to-date tool set.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #585858; font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; letter-spacing: 1px; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px;">Fortunately, capturing photos and creating 3D models has become easier thanks to affordable UAVs. Many companies can now gather the images they need to develop their designs and projects. However, the process may not be suitable for specific environments, such as those containing a lot of vegetation or poor lighting.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #585858; font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; letter-spacing: 1px; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px;">With advances in technology, photogrammetry will be more accurate in the future. As such, it will be increasingly helpful in the XR space.</p>The Personal Collectionshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16114937188048558330noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8494644547311771313.post-31321357014279958492022-12-21T03:39:00.001-08:002022-12-21T03:39:07.577-08:00Drones Certificated Remote Pilots<p> <span style="background-color: white; color: #585858; font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; letter-spacing: 1px;">Drones Certificated Remote Pilots must know how to pilot a drone safely. This includes learning to operate the device, land it, and take off. There are also specific requirements for commercial and recurrent drone operations.</span></p><h2 style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: var(--iq-title-text); font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; font-size: 1.4em; font-weight: 500; letter-spacing: 1px; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px;">Qualifications to become a drone pilot</h2><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #585858; font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; letter-spacing: 1px; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px;">It is a good idea to get specialized training if you plan to become a drone pilot. There are several high-quality training options available at a reasonable price. In addition to technical training, consider joining a community-based organization like the Academy of Model Aeronautics.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #585858; font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; letter-spacing: 1px; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px;">Registering for a remote pilot certificate is one way to get your feet wet. A remote pilot certificate allows you to fly a drone for recreation or enjoyment. However, to obtain a certificate, you must follow the rules set by the FAA. You'll also need to pass an exam and complete a few forms.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #585858; font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; letter-spacing: 1px; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px;">To take a test, you must have a government-issued picture ID. The FAA requires a background check before issuing you a certificate. If you fail, you have to wait for 14 days before you can retake the test.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #585858; font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; letter-spacing: 1px; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px;">You can visit the FAA website to learn more about the certification process. They have a study guide and free online videos that you can use to improve your test-taking skills.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #585858; font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; letter-spacing: 1px; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px;">You can also get a free two-hour course from the FAA. This course is a great way to learn about the regulations and practices you will encounter when flying a drone. You can also contact your local airport or flying club for more information.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #585858; font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; letter-spacing: 1px; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px;">When you are ready to start your career as a drone pilot, you need to have a commercially issued Part 107 certificate. Commercially rated drone operators must adhere to FAA rules and may not fly over people, aircraft, or property without a waiver.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #585858; font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; letter-spacing: 1px; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px;">To get a certificate, you'll need to complete a test, and you must take a test every two years. After you have passed your test, you can download your RePL (Remote Pilot License) with an easy-to-use app.</p><h2 style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: var(--iq-title-text); font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; font-size: 1.4em; font-weight: 500; letter-spacing: 1px; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px;">Requirements for a drone pilot's license</h2><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #585858; font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; letter-spacing: 1px; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px;">If you plan on getting a drone for personal use or business, you'll need a license to fly it safely. Before you get started, you should first learn the requirements for a drone pilot's license.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #585858; font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; letter-spacing: 1px; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px;">First, you'll need to register your drone. The FAA requires you to mark your unmanned aerial vehicle (UAS) with an identification number. You can do this with stickers or a permanent marker. Your registration number will be valid for three years.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #585858; font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; letter-spacing: 1px; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px;">Next, you'll need to pass the FAA's Aeronautical Knowledge Test. It has 60 multiple-choice questions. You'll need to answer 70 percent of the test correctly to pass.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #585858; font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; letter-spacing: 1px; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px;">You can study the FAA's free online study guide as you prepare for your test. Also, consider taking a practice test to boost your confidence.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #585858; font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; letter-spacing: 1px; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px;">Lastly, you'll need to pass a background check. This can take up to two months. Once you've passed the background check, you'll be able to obtain your remote pilot certificate.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #585858; font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; letter-spacing: 1px; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px;">You can also get a free UAS training course from the FAA. These courses are available for people who work full-time and for people who have families. There are also YouTube videos and online workbooks to help you study.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #585858; font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; letter-spacing: 1px; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px;">You'll need to pass a knowledge test to get your drone license. You'll also need to be physically fit to fly your aircraft. Additionally, you'll need to have a good vision, an understanding of English, and decision-making skills.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #585858; font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; letter-spacing: 1px; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px;">If you plan on flying for commercial purposes, you'll also need a Remote Pilot Certificate. If you have a Part 61 certificate, you don't need to take the knowledge test. However, you do need to complete a flight review within 24 months.</p><h2 style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: var(--iq-title-text); font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; font-size: 1.4em; font-weight: 500; letter-spacing: 1px; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px;">Requirements to operate a drone for commercial activities</h2><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #585858; font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; letter-spacing: 1px; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px;">You must get a remote pilot certificate if you plan to use a drone for commercial activities. You will need to take several steps, including registering and passing an aeronautical knowledge test.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #585858; font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; letter-spacing: 1px; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px;">A remote pilot certificate, also known as a drone license, is the key to flying your aircraft safely. You can get this certification online. During your flight, you must ensure that you stay within your visual line of sight and avoid flying over crowds. In addition, you will need to carry a registration card with you and ensure that you keep the drone above 400 feet.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #585858; font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; letter-spacing: 1px; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px;">To obtain your Remote Pilot Certificate, you must complete FAA Form 8710-13. This form requires you to have a model, a credit card, and a registration number.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #585858; font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; letter-spacing: 1px; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px;">Once you have completed the FAA registration, you must pass an aeronautical knowledge test. The exam costs $150 at an FAA-approved testing center. Depending on your age, you may be placed on a waiting list.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #585858; font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; letter-spacing: 1px; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px;">You should also be ready to pass a recurrent aeronautical knowledge test every 24 months. Approximately 70 percent of the questions must be answered correctly to be certified.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #585858; font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; letter-spacing: 1px; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px;">You must be 16 years old and have a valid government-issued picture ID to get your drone license. You should also have the mental and physical fitness to operate your aircraft.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #585858; font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; letter-spacing: 1px; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px;">If you are considering a commercial drone operation, you must register and pay a permit fee. Some examples of commercial drone operations include inspections for the electric utility industry. These inspections could cost $40 to $700 per mile.</p><h2 style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: var(--iq-title-text); font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; font-size: 1.4em; font-weight: 500; letter-spacing: 1px; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px;">Requirements to operate a drone for recurrent use</h2><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #585858; font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; letter-spacing: 1px; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px;">You must follow FAA's requirements when you operate a drone for recurrent use. This includes obtaining a remote pilot certificate and taking a recurrent training course. A recurrent training course online is a great way to stay updated on the latest regulations.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #585858; font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; letter-spacing: 1px; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px;">For commercial use, you must pass the Part 107 knowledge test. You can register for this in person at an FAA-approved testing center. The test lasts about an hour. Once you pass, you will receive an ID that you can enter into an FAA Form 8710-13.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #585858; font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; letter-spacing: 1px; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px;">Commercial drone operators also need to complete recurrent training every 24 months. These courses are now available online for free. Keeping up to date on the latest regulations is crucial when operating a drone.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #585858; font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; letter-spacing: 1px; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px;">There are also special airspace authorizations for specific categories of drones. To obtain one, you must first submit a declaration of compliance. You can request a review if you're unsure if your aircraft is in compliance.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #585858; font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; letter-spacing: 1px; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px;">The FAA recently introduced new regulations that require pilots to take recurrent training. These updates are independent of the Remote ID rule. They are meant to keep remote pilots up to date on the latest regulations.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #585858; font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; letter-spacing: 1px; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px;">In addition, the FAA announced that they will be offering an online recurrent training course. While it will not replace the knowledge test, it can help remote pilots stay on top of the most recent changes. It's free, and the course covers night operations, physiology, and illusions.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #585858; font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; letter-spacing: 1px; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px;">If you're an existing Part 61 or Part 107 remote pilot, you don't need to take a recurrent training course. However, you will need additional training if you want to fly at night or over people.</p>The Personal Collectionshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16114937188048558330noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8494644547311771313.post-7279613878950816042022-12-21T03:33:00.008-08:002022-12-21T03:33:54.938-08:00Drone Mapping 101<p> <span style="background-color: white; color: #585858; font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; letter-spacing: 1px;">If you're interested in drone mapping, there are many things you should know. We'll cover the basics of the technology, including the differences between LiDAR and photogrammetry, the importance of maintaining visibility, and how to conduct GIS analysis. Plus, you'll find some tips for using your drone to map coastal terrain.</span></p><h2 style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: var(--iq-title-text); font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; font-size: 1.4em; font-weight: 500; letter-spacing: 1px; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px;">Photogrammetry vs. LiDAR</h2><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #585858; font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; letter-spacing: 1px; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px;">When choosing the best technology for your project, it's essential to understand the differences between photogrammetry and LiDAR. Each technology has its own benefits and drawbacks, so it's critical to consider your project's needs and budget when deciding.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #585858; font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; letter-spacing: 1px; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px;">Photogrammetry is a passive technology that uses cameras and photographs to create 3D models. It's ideal for projects that require visual assessment and mapping. It also offers excellent accuracy.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #585858; font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; letter-spacing: 1px; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px;">Photogrammetry can produce accurate results, even at night. Depending on the size of your project, the process may take a few hours or a few days. You'll need to have a professional post-processor handle the process to get the most accurate results.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #585858; font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; letter-spacing: 1px; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px;">Photogrammetry can provide a detailed map of a site. The outputs can be raw images, 2D models, orthophoto maps, or full-color 3D models.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #585858; font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; letter-spacing: 1px; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px;">The accuracy of photogrammetry depends on how the image is acquired and how well it's overlapping. If the image overlap is poor, you'll find that the accuracy of your outputs will be lowered.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #585858; font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; letter-spacing: 1px; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px;">LiDAR is a more advanced technology than photogrammetry, but it has many limitations. It can't penetrate dense foliage or finely detailed surfaces, so it's not the best choice for specific applications.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #585858; font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; letter-spacing: 1px; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px;">If you are unsure which technology is best for your project, contact FLYMOTION for more information. We can help you determine the best options based on your project's specific requirements. In addition, we can offer webinars and customer stories.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #585858; font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; letter-spacing: 1px; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px;">A drone survey mission using photogrammetry requires a different set of capture conditions. Drones tend to collect a large amount of data quickly, so it's crucial to consider operational factors such as cost and complexity.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #585858; font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; letter-spacing: 1px; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px;">Although both technologies are helpful, choosing the best option for your project will depend on your use case, budget, and delivery terms. However, photogrammetry is the way to go if you need a more affordable option.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #585858; font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; letter-spacing: 1px; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px;">In addition to its speed and ease of use, photogrammetry is a more cost-effective option. It's also an excellent choice for agricultural and construction inspections. Plus, it's available on demand.</p><h2 style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: var(--iq-title-text); font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; font-size: 1.4em; font-weight: 500; letter-spacing: 1px; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px;">Maintaining visibility and line of sight</h2><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #585858; font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; letter-spacing: 1px; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px;">One of the main safety requirements for a drone is maintaining a visual line of sight. Losing your drone's sight can be dangerous and mitigated by taking certain precautions. For example, if you inspect a building or roof, you can ask a person in command of a small UAS to keep an eye on your drone.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #585858; font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; letter-spacing: 1px; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px;">The FAA has a rule requiring a visual line of sight for small UAS. However, the power isn't perfect. It's difficult to tell what a manned aircraft's view is, and a drone's ceiling height (the altitude at which the drone can be flown) is limited. In addition, the FAA needs to compile sufficient data to know whether a numerical limit on the number of moments when a small UAS can lose its sight would improve safety.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #585858; font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; letter-spacing: 1px; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px;">Nonetheless, the FAA does recognize the need for more information. This has led to the issuance of a new NPRM focusing on the visual line-of-sight framework.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #585858; font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; letter-spacing: 1px; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px;">One of the key features of the NPRM is the visual line-of-sight signal - a graphical display that shows a plane flying in a clear line of sight to the operator's view. Additionally, there are several other features to note.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #585858; font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; letter-spacing: 1px; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px;">First, the NPRM identifies the most essential component of the visibility-moment-of-sight signal: the presence of an observer. This person may be someone other than the remote pilot in command of the small UAS. Alternatively, a more common scenario is an aerial survey team.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #585858; font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; letter-spacing: 1px; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px;">Second, the NPRM proposes a more efficient way to achieve the visibility-moment-of-sight function. The NPRM calls for the visual line-of-sight signals to be derived from a Digital Surface Model (DSM), a type of 3D visualization. The resulting image can then be registered into elevation models using software available from Esri. Lastly, the NPRM also provides sample data that can be downloaded from its course materials folder.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #585858; font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; letter-spacing: 1px; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px;">Ultimately, the NPRM offers an opportunity for the FAA to reconsider its decision to prohibit the use of a visual line-of-sight signal. If the rule isn't approved in its current form, it can wait until it has sufficient data to make a final decision.</p><h2 style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: var(--iq-title-text); font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; font-size: 1.4em; font-weight: 500; letter-spacing: 1px; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px;">Coastal drone mapping</h2><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #585858; font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; letter-spacing: 1px; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px;">The use of Unoccupied Aerial Systems, also known as drones, for coastal drone mapping has the potential to fill in data gaps, particularly in nearshore environments. Drones can use sophisticated sensors to map the earth's surface in fine-scale resolution. This is especially useful in coastal mapping, where the magnitude of the tides and the differences in tidal heights can vary between study sites.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #585858; font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; letter-spacing: 1px; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px;">Drone mapping is an essential technology for environmental monitoring. It can help coastal managers and conservationists to detect problems in the early stages. In addition, it provides a detailed analysis that may not be possible with traditional methods.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #585858; font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; letter-spacing: 1px; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px;">In Canada, for example, drones must have a certification from Transport Canada. This certification is not applicable in the U.S. However, the FAA has established guidelines for flying UAVs in NAS. These regulations specify limits on the altitude and distance between the pilot and the aircraft. For specific sites, such as in controlled airspace, a Low Altitude Authorization and Notification Capability are needed.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #585858; font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; letter-spacing: 1px; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px;">Coastal drone mapping can be a powerful tool for detecting coastal ecosystem problems. It is a multidisciplinary endeavor requiring a steep learning curve. As a result, the project includes a comprehensive training program. All the participants involved in the training have research interests in seagrass monitoring. They will continue working with local communities to expand the activity's scope and include more hands-on experience.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #585858; font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; letter-spacing: 1px; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px;">During the initial year of training, the focus was on safety procedures. However, in subsequent years, the emphasis will shift to advanced GIS processing and post-processing. Additionally, a new training course section will focus on temporal trends in seagrass beds.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #585858; font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; letter-spacing: 1px; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px;">To perform drone mapping in the United States, pilots must have a Certificate of Authorization and Notification Capability. This is a requirement for flights under 500 feet above the ground. Standard flight altitudes are 400 feet above ground level.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #585858; font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; letter-spacing: 1px; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px;">Moreover, the optimal mapping of a site requires attention to the timing of the tides. The magnitude of the waves, as well as their relative timing, differed from site to site.</p><h2 style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: var(--iq-title-text); font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; font-size: 1.4em; font-weight: 500; letter-spacing: 1px; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px;">GIS analysis</h2><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #585858; font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; letter-spacing: 1px; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px;">Drones have emerged as a game changers when it comes to capturing accurate geospatial data. They make it easier to capture spatial information under challenging environments. This data can be used for various applications, such as environmental impact studies, transportation analysis, etc.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #585858; font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; letter-spacing: 1px; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px;">Drones are small, unmanned aerial vehicles that use advanced sensors to capture images. This data can then be processed and analyzed using a GIS platform. The best part is that they are easy to operate.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #585858; font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; letter-spacing: 1px; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px;">For instance, drones can provide real-time situational awareness during a natural disaster. They can also be used to map airspace and landmarks. In addition, drones can be used to collect elevation data.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #585858; font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; letter-spacing: 1px; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px;">These devices can reduce the cost of conducting site surveys and topographic mapping. Drones are more agile and can survey in less time than conventional aircraft.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #585858; font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; letter-spacing: 1px; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px;">While these devices have proven beneficial for many fields, they have a significant application in GIS. Because drones can produce high-resolution imagery, they are well suited for detecting changes in land use. Moreover, they can be used for slope monitoring and landslide mitigation.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #585858; font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; letter-spacing: 1px; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px;">Recent image recognition and artificial intelligence developments have made it possible to develop autonomous drones. As a result, companies can produce more detailed GIS data.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #585858; font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; letter-spacing: 1px; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px;">Although drones are currently in limited use, they are being developed to become more widely adopted. A recent Amazon project, for example, represents a milestone for drone usage across some disciplines.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #585858; font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; letter-spacing: 1px; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px;">Using drones, organizations can generate digital land use maps that can guide future development. This helps ensure the conservation of the environment. It can also mitigate transportation issues.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #585858; font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; letter-spacing: 1px; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px;">Geospatial technologies such as drones and artificial intelligence are changing how planning spaces are mapped and shaped. The data collected by these devices are often highly accurate and are available at a fraction of the cost of previous data. With the development of advanced drone mapping software, these insights are now being brought to a broader range of business intelligence applications.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #585858; font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; letter-spacing: 1px; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px;">Drone mapping is a technique that uses drones to map precise three-dimensional areas. It can be applied to some applications, including litigation survey plans and analysis.</p>The Personal Collectionshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16114937188048558330noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8494644547311771313.post-5798279767799102062022-12-21T03:23:00.002-08:002022-12-21T03:23:45.923-08:00The Evolution of the Unmanned Surface Vehicle (USV)<p> <span style="background-color: white; color: #585858; font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; letter-spacing: 1px;">If you're interested in the Unmanned Surface Vehicles (USVs) market, you will be glad to know that the demand is rising, especially with the COVID-19 pandemic. However, you also have to bear in mind some challenges.</span></p><h2 style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: var(--iq-title-text); font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; font-size: 1.4em; font-weight: 500; letter-spacing: 1px; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px;">Challenges faced by USVs</h2><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #585858; font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; letter-spacing: 1px; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px;">Unmanned surface vehicles (UUVs) are a type of unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). These robots are specially designed to address environmental issues. They can be deployed for various purposes, such as search & rescue and damage assessment. UUVs also can operate in a wide range of environments.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #585858; font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; letter-spacing: 1px; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px;">There are some different challenges that UUVs face, including water force and navigation, obstacle avoidance, and safety. For example, water force can knock an acoustic camera out of alignment, and it is often difficult to accurately localize a UAV in the water.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #585858; font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; letter-spacing: 1px; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px;">Situational awareness is a primary function of USV sensors in disaster sites. This may include underwater mapping sensors, microphones, speakers, and 360 cameras. A bird's eye view can help general navigation and detect hazards in the vicinity of the USV.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #585858; font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; letter-spacing: 1px; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px;">Some examples of mature USV applications are structural inspection, flood forecasting, and SAR. While these applications are relatively common, many other potential applications exist for UUVs. Many are still experimental.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #585858; font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; letter-spacing: 1px; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px;">There is also a lack of research on the effectiveness of UUVs in the harshest conditions. A few studies have been conducted in this area, but most focus on technology. Most research teams aren't multidisciplinary enough.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #585858; font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; letter-spacing: 1px; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px;">The two main issues are the lack of reliable testing sites and the cost of reproducing extreme conditions. It would be beneficial to develop training exercises to prepare emergency response personnel to use UUVs.</p><h2 style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: var(--iq-title-text); font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; font-size: 1.4em; font-weight: 500; letter-spacing: 1px; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px;">Surface vs sub-surface segments dominate the market</h2><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #585858; font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; letter-spacing: 1px; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px;">The use of Unmanned Surface Vehicles (USV) for disaster management in aquatic environments is evolving. Many studies focus on technology, but there is little research on how USVs perform in extreme conditions.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #585858; font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; letter-spacing: 1px; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px;">These vehicles are sometimes used for environmental monitoring and various other applications. They can provide different perspectives on a disaster site. For example, they can be used to inspect bridges and other structures. UUVs are specially designed to operate in a wide variety of environments.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #585858; font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; letter-spacing: 1px; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px;">One application developed using a combination of a USV, and a UAV is river mapping. This requires the integration of a sensor to collect data on the surface. Once the data is collected, it can generate an ultra-high-resolution image.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #585858; font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; letter-spacing: 1px; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px;">A second example is bathymetry surveys. These can be performed during high tides, allowing the USV to be close to shore. It is also possible to conduct the surveys during the tidal cycle when the water is relatively calm.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #585858; font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; letter-spacing: 1px; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px;">Bathymetry instruments are an essential tool for many problems. However, their accuracy can be adversely affected by the environment. Some issues include shadowing and line-of-sight occlusion. There are also some limitations in sensor performance.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #585858; font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; letter-spacing: 1px; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px;">Another advantage of UUVs and USVs is their ability to travel through debris. They can help reduce labor costs during the cleanup process. Moreover, they are capable of providing communication infrastructure. Ultimately, they can provide the benefits of a remote ground station with the advantages of an underwater system.</p><h2 style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: var(--iq-title-text); font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; font-size: 1.4em; font-weight: 500; letter-spacing: 1px; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px;">More than 1000 hours is the dominant segment in the global USVs market</h2><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #585858; font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; letter-spacing: 1px; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px;">Unmanned surface vehicles (USVs) are versatile platforms for oceanic and littoral surveys. They are specially designed to address environmental issues. Their use is particularly effective for flood mitigation and response.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #585858; font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; letter-spacing: 1px; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px;">The first application for USVs was for bridge scour assessment. In this task, a team of divers and engineers to assess the condition of a bridge. Scour erosion can result in dangerous situations for the inspection crew.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #585858; font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; letter-spacing: 1px; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px;">Another mature USV application is the structural inspection of concrete. Using USVs to inspect a concrete structure allows for identifying cracks and other defects in the material. Segmentation is also used, analyzing concrete regions to detect damage and water deterioration.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #585858; font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; letter-spacing: 1px; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px;">Several other applications have been developed, including searching and rescuing people in the water. Some current projects are tow-boom applications, which deploy a boom that carries the USV toward the target.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #585858; font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; letter-spacing: 1px; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px;">Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) are also helpful for disaster response. Hurricanes, earthquakes, and other natural disasters can result in flooding. These events can damage a variety of infrastructures. If a hurricane strikes, UAVs can be deployed to provide unavailable observations from satellites.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #585858; font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; letter-spacing: 1px; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px;">Floods are a common motivator for the research and development of USVs. However, a lack of testing sites is a crucial concern for USV reliability. Only a few papers have tested USVs in disaster scenarios.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #585858; font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; letter-spacing: 1px; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px;">Other challenges include obstacle avoidance and communication. USVs are not always easy to control, and operators may encounter confusion if unfamiliar with the task.</p><h2 style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: var(--iq-title-text); font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; font-size: 1.4em; font-weight: 500; letter-spacing: 1px; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px;">Deep-submergence vehicles will always be a primary driver of innovation</h2><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #585858; font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; letter-spacing: 1px; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px;">One of the most exciting types of unmanned surface vehicles is the deep-submerse varieties. The enigma is that most are conceived as a means of securing cargo, not to mention their occupants. Hence, they will likely remain in the laboratory for the foreseeable future. Nevertheless, there is no reason to doubt that innovation and advancements will continue, albeit at a slower pace. In particular, there will be an increased emphasis on securing cargo, which is one of the many challenges of today's world. To that end, companies are innovating in a variety of ways. These innovations include more pedestrian functions, such as deploying smart sensors and advanced control systems. A more challenging task is the development of autonomous capabilities capable of taking on the more demanding task of transporting cargo from one location to another. Although a slew of challenges lay ahead, one solution, in particular, has become a focal point of the industry: a standard protocol for unloading and reloading cargo. This is an essential step in the evolution of unmanned surface vehicles.</p><h2 style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: var(--iq-title-text); font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; font-size: 1.4em; font-weight: 500; letter-spacing: 1px; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px;">Maritime Autonomous Surface Ship UK Industry Conduct Principles and Code of Practice</h2><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #585858; font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; letter-spacing: 1px; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px;">The MASS UK Industry Conduct Principles and Code of Practice is a set of rules and guidelines that the Maritime Autonomous Surface Ship (MASS) industry can adhere to. These include training standards, identification and registration of MASS vessels, operational and evaluation deployment planning, and qualifications needed to operate a MASS system.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #585858; font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; letter-spacing: 1px; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px;">Rule 8 of the Code of Practice identifies two key training areas. One is related to the navigational data available to a MASS. Another is for the remote personnel management of a MASS.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #585858; font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; letter-spacing: 1px; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px;">Besides being an excellent tool for companies seeking new contracts, the code provides quality assurance to companies experimenting with MASS systems. According to Maritime UK, the updated code version focuses on operator training, identification, and registration standards.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #585858; font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; letter-spacing: 1px; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px;">Rule 7a addresses the risk of a collision. The risk is dependent on the speed and distance of the vessel. For example, a TCPA of six minutes would be considered a high risk, while a CPA of 0.5 nautical miles might be considered low.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #585858; font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; letter-spacing: 1px; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px;">COLREGs, or Collision-Of-Last-Right-Of-Vessels, are a vital part of ensuring navigational safety. They cover the various elements of a vessel's movement, such as steering, sailing, lights, and sound signals. However, COLREGs are not always clearly understood or adequately executed.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #585858; font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; letter-spacing: 1px; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px;">The IMO has announced a regulatory scoping exercise for unmanned ships. This is an essential step in the development of autonomous vessels.</p><h2 style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: var(--iq-title-text); font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; font-size: 1.4em; font-weight: 500; letter-spacing: 1px; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px;">Rising demand due to the COVID-19 pandemic</h2><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #585858; font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; letter-spacing: 1px; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px;">The COVID-19 pandemic has changed the landscape of the shared mobility industry. It has impacted travel, shopping, and leisure activities. In addition to restricting access to public transit, the disease has affected all modes of urban transportation.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #585858; font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; letter-spacing: 1px; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px;">COVID-19 restrictions have also harmed the unmanned surface vehicle (USV) market. These restrictions have disrupted maritime activities, including cargo flow and origin country activities. Some countries, such as China, are engaging in conflicts with their neighbors in the South China Sea.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #585858; font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; letter-spacing: 1px; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px;">Unmanned surface vehicles are machinery operated remotely over water surfaces. They are used in several military missions, ocean mapping, and surveillance. A variety of sensors are utilized to build these vehicles.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #585858; font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; letter-spacing: 1px; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px;">Due to the rapid pace of globalization, many countries have sought to gain control over their maritime trade routes. Maritime insecurity has been an essential factor in terrorist attacks against maritime targets. While terrorists have had different motives, traditional geopolitical disputes have also increased the demand for maritime surveillance.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #585858; font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; letter-spacing: 1px; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px;">The COVID-19 outbreak has created an unprecedented need for research into the remote operations of unmanned surface vehicles. This research can identify vulnerabilities and opportunities for improved autonomy.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #585858; font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; letter-spacing: 1px; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px;">The USV market is expected to expand due to increasing ocean data mapping and marine surveillance demand. Increased budget for technological upgradation in the defense sector is also driving growth.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #585858; font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; letter-spacing: 1px; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px;">The USV market will also be impacted by the world's rapid urbanization. Unmanned surface vehicles are more efficient and less expensive than traditional research vessels. However, the need for clearer navigation rules is projected to hinder the market in the coming years.</p>The Personal Collectionshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16114937188048558330noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8494644547311771313.post-64370932709288004372022-12-21T02:43:00.005-08:002022-12-21T02:43:27.450-08:00Uncrewed Aerial Vehicles and Collisions<p><span style="background-color: white; color: #585858; font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; letter-spacing: 1px;">Uncrewed aerial vehicles are often used for various applications, including military training and reconnaissance. These vehicles are equipped with a range of sensors and a separation-management system designed to avoid collisions. They are also known for their ability to travel at extremely high speeds. Despite their speed, they are very stable and can handle several landings and take-offs, making them popular among commercial and recreational pilots.</span></p><h2 style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: var(--iq-title-text); font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; font-size: 1.4em; font-weight: 500; letter-spacing: 1px; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px;">Separation management</h2><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #585858; font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; letter-spacing: 1px; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px;">The emergence of unmanned aerial vehicles in the airspace has led to the need for safe separation management for these aircraft. This paper provides a brief overview of recent research in this area. In addition, the article reviews the most essential technologies for collision avoidance in integrated airspace.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #585858; font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; letter-spacing: 1px; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px;">The UAS operating environment is a complex and variable one. To achieve safe and efficient operation, standardization of processes is necessary. The international community has conducted an impressive amount of work on this topic. However, the pace of progress is inconsistent, and thus further research on the subject remains limited.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #585858; font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; letter-spacing: 1px; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px;">One key technology is the collision risk prediction method. This method involves generating and interpreting the probability of a collision based on a UAS and an external vehicle's corresponding performance.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #585858; font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; letter-spacing: 1px; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px;">Another approach is to determine the minimum distance required to prevent a collision. A separation threshold is a boundary that defines a minimum amount of time between the two aircraft that must remain separate to be allowed to enter or leave the airspace. There are several ways to determine this threshold. Some of these methods use the number of aircraft, while others use the distance between them.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #585858; font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; letter-spacing: 1px; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px;">Another technique for determining the separation is to use the time-and-distance combination approach. For this method, the time it takes for a UAS to reach the closest point of approach (CPA) is used to calculate the separation threshold.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #585858; font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; letter-spacing: 1px; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px;">Several researchers have studied the feasibility of calculating the time-and-distance combination. They have discovered that it is possible to compute the separation threshold for a cylindrical safety area. Moreover, the results hint at the threshold conditions for transition.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #585858; font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; letter-spacing: 1px; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px;">The study also highlights the feasibility of using AI to update the separation minima. While this is not yet fully developed, some initial results suggest this is an appropriate approach.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #585858; font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; letter-spacing: 1px; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px;">The safety separation maintenance process is essential to preventing a collision. This method is a form of a 'safety bubble' that can protect a UAS from an intruder.</p><h2 style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: var(--iq-title-text); font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; font-size: 1.4em; font-weight: 500; letter-spacing: 1px; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px;">Collision avoidance</h2><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #585858; font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; letter-spacing: 1px; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px;">A collision avoidance system is one of the most critical components of an unmanned air vehicle. It can be used in both civilian and military applications. These vehicles are equipped with onboard sensors, which provide a visual and audible image of their surroundings. To avoid collisions, the system must be capable of calculating distances to waypoints and determining a new flight path that is a suitable fit for the UAV.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #585858; font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; letter-spacing: 1px; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px;">Collision avoidance systems are complex and varied. Some may be probabilistic, while others require exact calculation. The most effective are cooperative. They need sharing of state information among the UAVs involved. This is a difficult task, especially for smaller UAVs. For example, when multiple drones collide, the consequences are disastrous, not to mention expensive.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #585858; font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; letter-spacing: 1px; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px;">Researchers had to consider all relevant factors to come up with the best possible solution. While the best method was not clear-cut, it was determined that the most reliable approach was based on a combination of stereo-vision imagery and radar.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #585858; font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; letter-spacing: 1px; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px;">As part of the process, a risk assessment module was designed. It calculates the probability of a collision, and a reroute trigger is set up when the priority of the UAVs involved in the potential crash is determined. When the threat is gone, the UAVs return to their original paths.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #585858; font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; letter-spacing: 1px; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px;">One way to reduce the number of collisions is to increase the sensing range of the UAV. For the purposes of this study, a range of three meters was used. However, this did not significantly affect the number of collisions.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #585858; font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; letter-spacing: 1px; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px;">Another approach is to plan collision-avoidance trajectories sequentially. This allows for more precise calculations while maintaining a good level of closeness to a predetermined flight path. But this approach also requires a significant amount of planning time.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #585858; font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; letter-spacing: 1px; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px;">A third approach is to use a sampling-based algorithm. This is a clever move since it improves the intelligence of automated systems. Instead of just sampling points, the algorithm determines the shortest and most efficient way to reach a destination.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #585858; font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; letter-spacing: 1px; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px;">Finally, an algorithm is paired with a sensor to detect a potential collision. While the most accurate detection might be impossible, it is worth considering.</p><h2 style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: var(--iq-title-text); font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; font-size: 1.4em; font-weight: 500; letter-spacing: 1px; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px;">Sensors</h2><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #585858; font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; letter-spacing: 1px; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px;">Unmanned aerial vehicles (UVs) can be used to carry out a variety of missions. These include agricultural surveying, aerial reconnaissance, and archeological surveys. There are many different types of sensors that can be installed on UVs.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #585858; font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; letter-spacing: 1px; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px;">Sensors can help UAVs detect the environment and alert for any system faults. They also increase the navigation capabilities of the UVs. To do this, the sensors need to be able to measure physical quantities in the environment.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #585858; font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; letter-spacing: 1px; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px;">For example, a LiDAR sensor can be used for mapping. This type of sensor can determine the position of an obstacle and can give detailed digital terrain models. It can also be used to produce soil maps and weed intensity maps.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #585858; font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; letter-spacing: 1px; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px;">Another type of sensor that can be mounted on a UAV is a thermal imaging sensor. These effectively measure heat and electromagnetic energy in the infrared wavelength range. Using a thermal sensor, farmers can better monitor the health of their crops. Similarly, a hyperspectral sensor can be used to detect plant diseases.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #585858; font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; letter-spacing: 1px; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px;">To detect an obstacle, a UAV must be equipped with various sensors. Some common ones are GPS and accelerometers. Alternatively, a combination of GPS and IMU can boost accuracy.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #585858; font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; letter-spacing: 1px; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px;">Radars and sonars are active sensors that send out radio pulses. They are often used for navigation by unmanned aerial vehicles. However, their performance can be degraded by various factors such as distance, noise level, and angular rate.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #585858; font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; letter-spacing: 1px; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px;">Passive acoustic sensors are a cost-effective and robust solution for monitoring TUAVs. The sensor network can be deployed remotely or unattended. Using these networks, it is possible to gather information about the TUAVs and relay it to the human operator.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #585858; font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; letter-spacing: 1px; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px;">Other types of sensors commonly used by UVs are visual, inertial, and thermal. Those types of sensors are essential for detecting obstacles and determining the UUV's position.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #585858; font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; letter-spacing: 1px; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px;">Although technology is developing rapidly, many challenges still exist. For example, the performance of UVs is affected by environmental factors, such as distance, noise, and the electromagnetic environment.</p><h2 style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: var(--iq-title-text); font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; font-size: 1.4em; font-weight: 500; letter-spacing: 1px; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px;">Class Lima concept</h2><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #585858; font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; letter-spacing: 1px; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px;">Class Lima is a new shared airspace concept for uncrewed aerial vehicles. It provides a comprehensive and versatile solution to the problem of integration of UAVs into shared airspace. This research aims to analyze and summarize the issues associated with integrating drones into shared airspace.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #585858; font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; letter-spacing: 1px; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px;">The need for a shared airspace solution is very pressing in busy airspace. This is because the current air traffic system has reached its capacity. There are also some problems related to weather and man-made disasters. Moreover, the uncrewed aerial vehicle industry is growing. Therefore, there is a need to collaborate with the broader aviation community.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #585858; font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; letter-spacing: 1px; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px;">A recent workshop has allowed the GA community to voice their concerns about drone operations. These participants were broken into interest groups, and various topics related to flight deconfliction systems were discussed.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #585858; font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; letter-spacing: 1px; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px;">Class Lima is a flexible and versatile airspace concept that allows drones to operate in combination with crewed aircraft. Unlike UTM, the concept is not designed for a single use case. Instead, it is intended to be used in low-traffic density regions, thereby bridging the gap until UTM is rolled out.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #585858; font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; letter-spacing: 1px; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px;">As with any shared airspace solution, infringements are a potential hazard. To ensure compliance, participants suggested that it is necessary to establish minimum equipment requirements. They agreed that this would require a detailed specification. In addition, they identified the need to define a specific limit for traffic densities.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #585858; font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; letter-spacing: 1px; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px;">One of the main challenges for UAVs is the precision of navigation-related measurements. If the measurements are inaccurate, it can lead to a landing spot that is not accurate or may cause a collision with an object.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #585858; font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; letter-spacing: 1px; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px;">UAVs need to be able to operate in various conditions. For instance, extreme weather can inhibit small UAVs from taking measurements. Another challenge is ensuring that the UAV avoids obstacles and moves along a predetermined path.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #585858; font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; letter-spacing: 1px; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px;">Other solutions are more focused on specific applications. For example, VHF-Out allows drones to broadcast automated position reports. However, this requires aircraft to have two VHF radio receivers. Also, it is crucial to monitor the power consumption of the UAV.</p>The Personal Collectionshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16114937188048558330noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8494644547311771313.post-1398359993959325832022-12-21T02:40:00.002-08:002022-12-21T02:40:11.595-08:00UAV Obstacle Avoidance 101<p> <span face="Poppins, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #585858; font-size: 14px; letter-spacing: 1px;">When you are a UAV operator, the chances are that you have come across the phrase "UAV obstacle avoidance." This article will give you an overview of what this term means and how to implement it in your system. You will learn to avoid objects, detect pedestrians, and use sensors to track and follow objects. It is an excellent resource for anyone interested in UAVs.</span></p><h2 style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: var(--iq-title-text); font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; font-size: 1.4em; font-weight: 500; letter-spacing: 1px; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px;">Object descriptors</h2><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #585858; font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; letter-spacing: 1px; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px;">Object descriptors for UAV obstacle avoidance are a significant problem that affects many autonomous systems. This task aims at the highest accuracy while remaining within the computational budget.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #585858; font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; letter-spacing: 1px; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px;">There are many approaches to building 3D models of obstacles in the environment. One of these uses a polynomial regression to fit sensor measurements. Another system uses a stereo camera to calculate the distance between obstacles.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #585858; font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; letter-spacing: 1px; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px;">This approach is a novelty. In addition to estimating the object's size, the algorithm calculates its position and motion.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #585858; font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; letter-spacing: 1px; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px;">The algorithms used in this research were evaluated in a variety of tests. Some actual flight experiments were conducted in both indoor and outdoor environments. These tests proved the performance and reliability of these algorithms.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #585858; font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; letter-spacing: 1px; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px;">This research also demonstrated a UAV's capabilities to perform various avoidance maneuvers. It is not surprising that an intelligent autonomous quadrotor can be helpful in different scenarios.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #585858; font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; letter-spacing: 1px; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px;">For instance, it can perform a hover stability flight in which it flies in a direction opposite to that of an approaching obstacle. It can also detect frontal obstacles using a monocular camera.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #585858; font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; letter-spacing: 1px; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px;">It also shows that the IPOPT algorithm can be considered a real-time obstacle avoidance algorithm. This is thanks to its ability to recalculate the path of the UAV after detecting an incoming obstacle.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #585858; font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; letter-spacing: 1px; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px;">The algorithms have been tested on a hundred actual flight experiments with 1000 obstacles. This is a good indication of the trustworthiness of the systems.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #585858; font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; letter-spacing: 1px; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px;">It also demonstrates that the largest obstacle may not be the best indicator of its size. This is because visual conditions can play a role in the accuracy of obstacle detection.</p><h2 style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: var(--iq-title-text); font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; font-size: 1.4em; font-weight: 500; letter-spacing: 1px; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px;">SLAM</h2><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #585858; font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; letter-spacing: 1px; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px;">An obstacle avoidance module is one of the most important modules of autonomous navigation. It incorporates a collision prediction network to help reduce the risk of collisions between UAVs. Several approaches have been developed to identify obstacles. These include SLAM-based methods, optical flow-based methods, and lane detection methods.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #585858; font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; letter-spacing: 1px; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px;">SLAM-based methods are proper because they generate precise metric maps of the environment. However, they suffer from some common problems. These include computational complexity, sensitivity to illumination changes, and limited accuracy.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #585858; font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; letter-spacing: 1px; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px;">Obstacle avoidance is a crucial step in designing and developing autonomous systems. Identifying and avoiding potential hazards, it can significantly increase the autonomy of UAVs. Besides, it can significantly improve pilot operation errors.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #585858; font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; letter-spacing: 1px; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px;">Various obstacle avoidance techniques have been developed in recent years. These include SLAM-based methods, edge shifting, and optical flow-based methods. These techniques are all designed to detect obstacles and determine their distances.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #585858; font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; letter-spacing: 1px; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px;">SLAM-based methods have been used to develop a mapping system that tracks a UAV's position and orientation. This mapping system is becoming increasingly popular due to the rapid development of visual SLAM techniques.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #585858; font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; letter-spacing: 1px; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px;">A stereo-based method produces a real-time 3D environment map using two or more synchronized cameras. The camera must be properly calibrated. Similarly, sequential Monte Carlo techniques or extended Kalman filters may perform data fusion from multiple sensors.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #585858; font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; letter-spacing: 1px; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px;">Edge shifting approach is an obstacle-avoidance technique that has been applied to mobile robots. It detects large objects. This approach can be used to avoid obstacles on roads.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #585858; font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; letter-spacing: 1px; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px;">Unlike lane detection, this approach does not apply to unknown environments. This method is not suitable for use in cars.</p><h2 style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: var(--iq-title-text); font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; font-size: 1.4em; font-weight: 500; letter-spacing: 1px; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px;">Optical flow variations</h2><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #585858; font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; letter-spacing: 1px; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px;">Optical flow variations for UAV obstacle avoidance can be accomplished using various methods. These techniques vary depending on the environment. They can be phase-based, energy-based, or gradient-based. The algorithm we propose incorporates the three. It is tested on real and virtual environments. The method was validated with indoor flight experiments and simulations.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #585858; font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; letter-spacing: 1px; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px;">The best-performing mask has a vector size of 15 by 20. It is essential to select a good texture to avoid pixelation. In addition, the lens should not be too discontinuous.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #585858; font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; letter-spacing: 1px; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px;">An illustrative simulation was performed to assess the effect of yaw rates on optic flow. A comparison was made between the effects of a yaw-rate compensation and an EOF compensator. The yaw-rate compensation reduces the effects of a significant yaw rate.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #585858; font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; letter-spacing: 1px; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px;">A small remote racing car was used for the experiments. The vehicle was rear-wheel driven and based on an Ackerman steering configuration. The camera was a stereo camera. The distance sensor could be employed to estimate the velocity.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #585858; font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; letter-spacing: 1px; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px;">The method we propose incorporates a waypoint guidance strategy, a proportional-derivative (PD) controller, and a yaw-rate effect compensator. The approach uses a simple algorithm that avoids obstacles in 3-D environments by combining waypoint guidance and yaw-rate compensation. It also includes guidance to the desired position.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #585858; font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; letter-spacing: 1px; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px;">The approach was implemented on a customized MAV. It was impossible to conduct a live video stream because of time and budget constraints. However, a few videos were captured to test the system.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #585858; font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; letter-spacing: 1px; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px;">Optical flow variations for UAV obstacle avoidance can be a tricky subject. This article focuses on the most effective and innovative ways to use the technique.</p><h2 style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: var(--iq-title-text); font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; font-size: 1.4em; font-weight: 500; letter-spacing: 1px; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px;">Track and follow objects sensors</h2><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #585858; font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; letter-spacing: 1px; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px;">The track and follow objects sensors can detect people and vehicles moving along a drone's path. These sensors also help drones avoid obstacles in an indoor environment.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #585858; font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; letter-spacing: 1px; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px;">One of the biggest challenges to flying inside a warehouse is avoiding collision with other objects. The obstacle detection process is a complex task and must be accurate and fast. The method includes many complex technologies. However, it is possible to build an autonomous UAV that can fly indoors safely without being tripped up.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #585858; font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; letter-spacing: 1px; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px;">A vision-based dynamic obstacle avoidance system is the most advanced approach to this problem. It is based on three main components: a lens, a sensor, and a light source. In addition, it requires high computation.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #585858; font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; letter-spacing: 1px; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px;">In addition to cameras, the system uses a time-of-flight sensor. These are highly accurate and provide the scene's intensity in real-time. The sensor also captures depth information at the same time.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #585858; font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; letter-spacing: 1px; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px;">The algorithm translates visual data from the camera into actionable information. The proposed method has been tested on open video sequences and self-captured simulated data. It was found that the technique can detect two moving objects faster than existing SoA algorithms.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #585858; font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; letter-spacing: 1px; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px;">Using a stereo vision sensor, the system detects obstacles and provides relative depth. However, the depth estimation of RGB-D sensors is noisy.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #585858; font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; letter-spacing: 1px; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px;">To further improve the accuracy of the obstacle dimension estimation, the authors implemented dynamic binary thresholding. This method significantly improved the accuracy of obstacle detection.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #585858; font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; letter-spacing: 1px; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px;">In addition, the system used a multivariate Gaussian probability density function. This method uses Kalman filtering to predict the position of the obstacles.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #585858; font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; letter-spacing: 1px; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px;">A u-depth map is another tool that can be used for obstacle detection. It is calculated by determining the depth bins in the vicinity of an obstacle. These bins are kept in a growing order from top to bottom.</p><h2 style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: var(--iq-title-text); font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; font-size: 1.4em; font-weight: 500; letter-spacing: 1px; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px;"><br /></h2>The Personal Collectionshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16114937188048558330noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8494644547311771313.post-54602256040968323292022-12-20T12:32:00.002-08:002022-12-20T12:32:27.943-08:00How Does LIDAR Work?<p> <span style="background-color: white; color: #585858; font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; letter-spacing: 1px;">LIDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) technology is a relatively new method of capturing images in the air, sea, and earth. By using millimeter-wave radar, cameras, and sensors, it can be used to map the surface of any area, identify traffic signs and road markings, and detect obstacles. It can also calculate phytoplankton fluorescence and biomass on the ocean surface.</span></p><h2 style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: var(--iq-title-text); font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; font-size: 1.4em; font-weight: 500; letter-spacing: 1px; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px;">Identifying traffic signs and road markings</h2><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #585858; font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; letter-spacing: 1px; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px;">LiDAR has the potential to provide a comprehensive, accurate, and detailed view of the road. This can be used for some applications, including traffic signs and road marking recognition.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #585858; font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; letter-spacing: 1px; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px;">For example, a LiDAR image produces a three-dimensional point cloud representing a computer's understanding of the physical world. The point cloud can be annotated with tagging and semantic segmentation.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #585858; font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; letter-spacing: 1px; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px;">This information can be used to build a pavement marking management program. The system's findings will guide the MassDOT's repair frequency and selection of marking materials. The information can also be used to support automated roadway asset detection algorithms.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #585858; font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; letter-spacing: 1px; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px;">For example, a neural network can be trained to recognize stop signs. The network uses a library of signs in different conditions and angles. This will enable it to learn if the stop sign is temporary or permanent.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #585858; font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; letter-spacing: 1px; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px;">Traffic sign recognition is an advanced driving assistance technology that can help drivers make safer decisions. It relays information to the driver through an instrument cluster or infotainment screen. It can increase awareness of road rules, speed limits, and specific roadway markers. This can raise awareness and reduce the risk of accidents.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #585858; font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; letter-spacing: 1px; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px;">There are various challenges involved in implementing this project. For example, it requires multi-sensor linking, which is a significant challenge. There are also other issues related to the data acquisition process.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #585858; font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; letter-spacing: 1px; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px;">Typical challenges include the collection of the point cloud, the annotation of the point cloud, and the detection of traffic signs. The use of LiDAR for this purpose has numerous advantages. For example, it provides 360-degree visibility, provides highly accurate data, and can be used to generate Digital Elevation Models (DEM).</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #585858; font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; letter-spacing: 1px; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px;">In addition, it can help detect and quantify the volume of the surface. However, the processing load of a large data set can be high.</p><h2 style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: var(--iq-title-text); font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; font-size: 1.4em; font-weight: 500; letter-spacing: 1px; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px;">Mapping the surface of any city or area</h2><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #585858; font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; letter-spacing: 1px; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px;">Light Detection And Ranging (LiDAR) are an airborne system that generates three-dimensional information about Earth. It is used in many applications, including mapping, geology, and land management.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #585858; font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; letter-spacing: 1px; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px;">LiDAR can be used to create a map of virtually any surface. This includes terrain, buildings, and vegetation.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #585858; font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; letter-spacing: 1px; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px;">The technology's advantages over other surveying methods include its ability to produce accurate 3D models of buildings and terrain. It also produces detailed maps of complex topography.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #585858; font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; letter-spacing: 1px; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px;">LIDAR also provides a means of estimating the height of trees and shrubs. It is difficult to accurately estimate vegetation using satellite imagery, and it can be challenging to differentiate healthy foliage from unhealthy trees. RADAR is not capable of these tasks.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #585858; font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; letter-spacing: 1px; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px;">The USGS acquired a statewide Quality-Level-2 (QL2) Topographic Lidar in December 2020. The Office for Coastal Management has a Digital Coast portal that provides Lidar data sets and canopy models. Its data is available in raster files, GeoTIFF (.tif) formats, and various other formats.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #585858; font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; letter-spacing: 1px; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px;">LiDAR also creates maps of streets, roads, and highways. It can provide accurate 3D images of pedestrians and speeding vehicles.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #585858; font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; letter-spacing: 1px; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px;">The LiDAR Research and Education Subcommittee has worked to establish best practices for disseminating LiDAR data. These include the creation of a validation point collection methodology.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #585858; font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; letter-spacing: 1px; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px;">LIDAR is also used in environmental monitoring, including hazard assessment and landslide risk evaluation. It is also helpful in geology, archaeology, and watershed surveys.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #585858; font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; letter-spacing: 1px; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px;">It can be used for various land management purposes, from forestry to transportation expansion. It can also be used for meteorology. It can be combined with other electromagnetic data to create detailed maps of complex topographical areas.</p><h2 style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: var(--iq-title-text); font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; font-size: 1.4em; font-weight: 500; letter-spacing: 1px; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px;">Calculating phytoplankton fluorescence and biomass on the ocean surface</h2><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #585858; font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; letter-spacing: 1px; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px;">Phytoplankton biomass is an essential indicator of marine biological productivity. This study utilizes satellite data to resolve ecological drivers of phytoplankton accumulation and decay cycles. These cycles are the key to quantifying biogeochemical fluxes and projecting future changes in marine planktonic ecosystems.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #585858; font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; letter-spacing: 1px; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px;">The Southern Ocean is home to an ample nutrient supply fueling global biological productivity. However, seasonal variations in loss rates have been highlighted by in situ studies. This study uses satellite and field data to assess the underlying causes of these variations. In particular, the study examined the relationship between phytoplankton concentration and division rates.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #585858; font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; letter-spacing: 1px; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px;">During the summer, the Southern Ocean is home to a phytoplankton bloom. In this bloom, diatoms and haptophytes are the main constituents. In contrast, during the winter, most of the population comprises prasinophytes, a group of dinoflagellates. The Southern Ocean is also characterized by a solid air-sea CO2 flux.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #585858; font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; letter-spacing: 1px; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px;">Phytoplankton biomass increases in the upper mixed layer. A large bloom, dominated by Phaeocystis, occurred in the eastern Bering Sea in 2008. During the summer of 2008, a bloom was observed in the western Gulf of Alaska and east of the Bering Sea. The blooming period was correlated with the deepening of the surface mixed layer. In addition, a blooming phase was observed during the lowest mixed-layer light levels.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #585858; font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; letter-spacing: 1px; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px;">The net phytoplankton biomass rate of change is calculated by averaging weekly estimates of phytoplankton biomass. A phytoplankton bloom is defined as a regionally averaged period of the positive net rate of change of phytoplankton biomass. The bloom is marked by a positive-to-negative sign change in r. The average phytoplankton bloom magnitude during the summer is reduced because phytoplankton division rates decrease during the peak growth phase.</p><h2 style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: var(--iq-title-text); font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; font-size: 1.4em; font-weight: 500; letter-spacing: 1px; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px;">Detecting obstacles</h2><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #585858; font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; letter-spacing: 1px; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px;">For automated navigation applications, obstacle detection is a crucial requirement. These sensors have to be highly reliable in any situation. The technology is essential for autonomous robots on unstructured terrains. It is also used in PA safety applications.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #585858; font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; letter-spacing: 1px; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px;">Several techniques have been developed for autonomous navigation in urban environments. These include the use of SLAM algorithms and sensor-fusion methods. The precision of the spatial data is greatly improved with these approaches.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #585858; font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; letter-spacing: 1px; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px;">To reduce false alarms, it is essential to integrate the LIDAR sensor data with that of the cameras. This can improve real-time performance and increase recall. Moreover, intelligent adjustment of the bounding box can help reduce the number of false alarms.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #585858; font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; letter-spacing: 1px; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px;">It is essential to know the climatic conditions when using these techniques. Fog can limit the accuracy of the lidar. Water droplets can also overload the optical receiver chain.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #585858; font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; letter-spacing: 1px; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px;">Another technique involves the combining of a monocular camera and a lidar. This enables a more accurate measurement of the distance. However, the resolution of the FIR camera is lower than the visible camera. This is because the light energy reflects off objects like branches on trees. The accuracy of this approach is poor when things are fast-moving.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #585858; font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; letter-spacing: 1px; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px;">In addition, the cost of these systems is high. They are usually well over one million dollars. They are used to target vehicles ahead and to find parking spaces.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #585858; font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; letter-spacing: 1px; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px;">For the application of autonomous cruise control, it is necessary to have a system that can detect obstacles at long ranges. This is possible with the use of radar and LiDAR. This will allow the vehicle to track obstacles and adjust its tracking information as necessary.</p><h2 style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: var(--iq-title-text); font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; font-size: 1.4em; font-weight: 500; letter-spacing: 1px; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px;">Making up for cameras and millimeter-wave radars</h2><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #585858; font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; letter-spacing: 1px; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px;">MMW radar and camera fusion have been extensively researched in intelligent transportation. The technology involves a smooth stochastic process in which both sensors' information is fused together.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #585858; font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; letter-spacing: 1px; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px;">A novel transformation method merges the data from the two sensors into a single raw feature map. The technique is particularly suited for three-dimensional detection. This is important in autonomous driving and intelligent transportation systems.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #585858; font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; letter-spacing: 1px; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px;">The principle of this technology is to align points in the radar's coordinate system with the same points in the camera's coordinate system. This is done by calculating a translation value along the axis and an angle of rotation around the axis. The calculation results are then transformed into the camera's coordinates and the corresponding pixel coordinates.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #585858; font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; letter-spacing: 1px; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px;">The primary thought process is to first convert the MMW radar's coordinate system to the camera's coordinate system and then the image's coordinate system. There are many different methods for this. This article describes a few of them.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #585858; font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; letter-spacing: 1px; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px;">The geometric projection method is another technique. This technique transforms a point in the radar's coordinate system into the world's coordinate system and the camera's coordinate system. This is the most obvious of the various ways to do this.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #585858; font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; letter-spacing: 1px; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px;">However, this technique has some limitations. For instance, it is susceptible to interference and has limited immunity to distortion. Other techniques are much more sophisticated. For example, this method also requires manual operation.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #585858; font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; letter-spacing: 1px; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px;">The most advanced form of this technique is used by Alpha Networks. The company has a long history in antenna and communication technologies and has developed a 4D imaging radar that uses millimeter-wave wave sensors. The company has also designed a car communication network and a self-driving car. It can customize products to various customer scenarios.</p>The Personal Collectionshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16114937188048558330noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8494644547311771313.post-57068054848658408282022-12-20T12:15:00.006-08:002022-12-20T12:15:58.668-08:00The Many Uses of LiDAR<p> <span style="background-color: white; color: #585858; font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; letter-spacing: 1px;">There are many uses of LiDAR technology, a type of laser sensor. The uses include military applications, archaeology, mining, chemistry, and even autonomous vehicles. Some of these are discussed in this article.</span></p><h2 style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: var(--iq-title-text); font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; font-size: 1.4em; font-weight: 500; letter-spacing: 1px; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px;">Autonomous vehicles</h2><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #585858; font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; letter-spacing: 1px; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px;">LiDAR is a technology used in self-driving vehicles. It can help self-driving cars make safe judgments and avoid crashes. It is also used for situational awareness.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #585858; font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; letter-spacing: 1px; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px;">LiDAR is a technology that scans a vehicle's surroundings and determines the distance between objects. The data is then used to create a 3D map of the environment. This helps the car avoid roadblocks and other obstacles.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #585858; font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; letter-spacing: 1px; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px;">For self-driving vehicles to work, they must have a high-definition map that is updated in real-time. The information is fed to the onboard computer. The onboard computer translates the rapidly updating point cloud into an animated 3D representation.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #585858; font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; letter-spacing: 1px; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px;">Autonomous vehicles use an array of sensors to determine their location, detect objects and measure their speed. These sensors include cameras and radars.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #585858; font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; letter-spacing: 1px; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px;">Aside from GPS and radar technologies, LiDAR is another crucial component of an autonomous vehicle. This technology uses laser pulses to detect objects in the environment. The vibrations are then reflected back to the system. The resulting "point cloud" provides accurate depth information and can be used to accurately identify and segment objects.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #585858; font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; letter-spacing: 1px; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px;">A LiDAR system sends hundreds of thousands of laser pulses at a rate of several hundred per second. The light is reflected off of surrounding objects, and the resulting point cloud creates a three-dimensional map of the surroundings. The lidar can measure objects up to 400 meters away.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #585858; font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; letter-spacing: 1px; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px;">The LiDAR system can operate in low-light conditions. In addition to providing a clear image of the surroundings, the lidar can also detect colors and reflectivity.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #585858; font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; letter-spacing: 1px; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px;">While these advances are promising, there is still much room for advancement. The development of self-driving cars will require significant improvements in terms of performance and safety.</p><h2 style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: var(--iq-title-text); font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; font-size: 1.4em; font-weight: 500; letter-spacing: 1px; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px;">Archaeology</h2><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #585858; font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; letter-spacing: 1px; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px;">The advent of airborne lidar sensors has made possible the discovery of archaeological sites that were previously hidden in dense rainforests. The airborne lidar is an effective surveying method because it can penetrate the canopy of trees and penetrate through heavy vegetation. The resulting point cloud is very accurate for detecting archaeological features.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #585858; font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; letter-spacing: 1px; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px;">The first commercial lidar sensors were introduced in the mid-1990s. These systems use laser pulses to measure elevations of the ground below and generate detailed 3D maps of the terrain.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #585858; font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; letter-spacing: 1px; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px;">LiDAR can also identify water sources, roads, and architectural structures. For instance, the lidar mapped the lost Maya city of Caracol. It took 20 years to find the site on foot, but with the aid of LiDAR, archaeologists now know where the ancient city was located.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #585858; font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; letter-spacing: 1px; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px;">The most common application of airborne lidar is for landscape archaeology. In dense rainforests, surveying the area from the ground is impossible. Therefore, airborne lidar systems are the best tools to map rainforests.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #585858; font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; letter-spacing: 1px; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px;">The Amazon is the next big frontier for the National Center for Airborne Laser Mapping. Due to financial constraints, aerial scanning missions in the area are limited. The largest survey was conducted in the northern part of Guatemala.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #585858; font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; letter-spacing: 1px; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px;">The Pacunam Lidar Initiative, a consortium of scholars funded by the Pacunam foundation, acquired over 7,000 square kilometers of LiDAR data for archaeological investigations. These surveys, undertaken by Dr. Juan Carlos Fernandez-Diaz and colleagues, covered more than 5600 km of Guatemala's lowland.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #585858; font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; letter-spacing: 1px; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px;">The data acquired were processed by the National Center for Airborne Laser Mapping (NCALM) for archaeological purposes. This allowed for detailed landscape visualizations at the regional scale. This research allowed for the identification of human-modified structures as well as terracing.</p><h2 style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: var(--iq-title-text); font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; font-size: 1.4em; font-weight: 500; letter-spacing: 1px; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px;">Chemistry</h2><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #585858; font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; letter-spacing: 1px; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px;">LiDAR, or light detection and ranging, is a technology that uses a laser to measure distances. It's most valuable in determining a person's exact location but is also a handy tool for measuring things such as construction projects and the like. It's even been used in conjunction with a tethered balloon in the Arctic to determine aerosol size and composition.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #585858; font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; letter-spacing: 1px; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px;">The chemistry of LiDAR and other ultra-short pulsed lasers is a topic of interest in its own right. One of the earliest applications of the technology involved a chemically based scanner, which used ultra-short wavelengths to track transient changes in atoms. The exact process is applied to the more mundane task of mapping the composition of a given environment, which could be augmented by industrial revolutions of the future. For instance, a study in the Icelandic fjords showed several mineralogical phases. The trick is to use it to its full advantage.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #585858; font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; letter-spacing: 1px; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px;">In addition to the aforementioned hazard, researchers developed a laser-based technique that combined the best of both worlds: LiDAR and remote chemical measurements. The best part is that the technique could measure both in a single sweep, thus reducing costs and boosting accuracy. It also allowed the research team to quantify the efficacy of the various components tested in a controlled setting. The result was a promising new technology for the future. The aforementioned fjords also yielded many other discoveries, most notably, a chemically based scanner that could do both jobs well. In other words, technology has the potential to revolutionize our lives.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #585858; font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; letter-spacing: 1px; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px;">There are also a few downsides, including that the technology is limited to some areas of the globe, and it's hard to apply it to real-world scenarios. However, this technology is proving to be a worthy successor to traditional surveying technologies such as GPS.</p><h2 style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: var(--iq-title-text); font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; font-size: 1.4em; font-weight: 500; letter-spacing: 1px; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px;">Mining</h2><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #585858; font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; letter-spacing: 1px; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px;">The mining industry uses LiDAR to accurately map underground environments and improve mining operations. The technology can be used to determine the pit, orebody, and stockpile volumes and monitor changes in the background. In addition, the data can be used for planning and designing a mining plant.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #585858; font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; letter-spacing: 1px; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px;">The harsh environment of mines can cause challenges for the performance of sensors. However, there are also new technologies available that can address these issues. One solution is UAV LiDAR systems, which can help overcome many common challenges associated with mining projects.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #585858; font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; letter-spacing: 1px; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px;">RIEGL has developed hardware and software that offer the most comprehensive LiDAR package for the mining industry. RIEGL's systems provide a user-friendly interface and workflow automation for processing scan data. It includes features such as automatic data registration and surface comparison.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #585858; font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; letter-spacing: 1px; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px;">Using LiDAR, mining sites can be mapped in real-time. This allows survey-grade 3D mapping in areas where traditional measurement methods are impossible.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #585858; font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; letter-spacing: 1px; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px;">The mining industry is always looking for information about the amount of ore that has been extracted. Having accurate stockpiles is key to mining success. Using a LiDAR system, the mine can generate a realistic "digital twin" of the working front.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #585858; font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; letter-spacing: 1px; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px;">Underground mining has traditionally benefited from geological and survey data. These are used to determine cavities and ore bodies' size and shape and design a mining plant.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #585858; font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; letter-spacing: 1px; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px;">However, these data can be inaccurate. In some cases, blank spots can be recorded in the point cloud. This can lead to false-lane boundaries. This can be problematic in an emergency. The solution is to use simultaneous localization and mapping. This is a complex process to map, but it can be done.</p><h2 style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: var(--iq-title-text); font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; font-size: 1.4em; font-weight: 500; letter-spacing: 1px; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px;">Military</h2><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #585858; font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; letter-spacing: 1px; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px;">One of the most important military uses of LiDAR technology is to produce accurate 3D maps of the terrain. These are then used for several applications, including tactical mapping of battlefields and locating enemy forces.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #585858; font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; letter-spacing: 1px; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px;">Another practical application is in urban warfare. In addition to providing detailed terrain data, LiDAR elevation data can also support improved battlefield visualization and line-of-sight analysis. It can also be utilized for path planning for mounted warfighters in adverse operating environments.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #585858; font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; letter-spacing: 1px; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px;">In a more fundamental sense, a LIDAR system uses a laser rangefinder to determine the distance between two objects. The rangefinder comprises a laser emitter, a photodetector, and a receiver. The receiver is responsible for detecting the pulsed light. When the receiver picks up the pulsed light, the return pulse time is recorded and analyzed. The computer measures the time interval between the pulse and the reflected pulse.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #585858; font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; letter-spacing: 1px; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px;">Detectors and optics are used in more advanced LIDAR systems to gather topographic data. The data is then processed and analyzed to create an accurate point cloud. Ultimately, it is stored and analyzed to produce three-dimensional digital terrain models.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #585858; font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; letter-spacing: 1px; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px;">In the future, there may be more potential uses for the technology, such as weapon defenses. It could even enhance target identification and surveillance. Moreover, modern processing can provide almost photographic resolution.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #585858; font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; letter-spacing: 1px; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px;">LIDAR has been widely used in various fields, such as reconnaissance imaging. It has also been employed in missile guidance, obstacle avoidance, and other applications.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #585858; font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; letter-spacing: 1px; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px;">The most common application for military LiDAR is for tactical mapping of battlefield terrain. Other military uses include anti-submarine warfare, airborne laser mine detection, and automated target identification.</p>The Personal Collectionshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16114937188048558330noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8494644547311771313.post-64321320135547543952021-11-27T02:54:00.005-08:002021-11-27T02:54:56.805-08:00What to Know About Drones in Agriculture<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjuRxJAhoz8JR37eQRpyafS1xam7_koxy-2un1ImzeNPpmVwOOzHaCPUin32aBsDF1Mik2iHwQ61zdY5bNQdqB6qKZrTOk_kc4_YxvKn2EKKsEAESCFIrM0ak7oZv9EyvBt5L9Zdrd5i0OrV6m8w4NwFBrIoDeqZDet8aQ4uw_fntkPm1AQ7tUej_aH=s2048" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="What to Know About Drones in Agriculture" border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjuRxJAhoz8JR37eQRpyafS1xam7_koxy-2un1ImzeNPpmVwOOzHaCPUin32aBsDF1Mik2iHwQ61zdY5bNQdqB6qKZrTOk_kc4_YxvKn2EKKsEAESCFIrM0ak7oZv9EyvBt5L9Zdrd5i0OrV6m8w4NwFBrIoDeqZDet8aQ4uw_fntkPm1AQ7tUej_aH=w400-h266" width="400" /></a></div><p>When it comes to drone capability, strength, and speed, professional drones are top of the line. Manufacturers design these machines to appeal to industries where they would not only be convenient but necessary. From the film industry to survey farmers, professionals know how to put these drones to work. As technology advances, drones become more and more capable.</p><p>Professional drones are generally higher quality than the toy drones enthusiasts use for recreation. Manufacturers build these hardier and with extra features that are suited for agriculture, film, utility companies, and more. As drones gain in popularity, the businesses that have something to gain from them also grow in number.</p><p>There is one business, however, where you’ll see drones soaring high! Here is what you need to know about drones and the agriculture business.</p><p><b>Drone Use in Agriculture</b></p><p>When it comes to agriculture, drones have found a natural place in the business. Farmers cannot be everywhere at once. However, with a drone, they are able to survey their land with real-time information. Farming involves keeping track of many different components. From crop health, water use, and soil analysis, farmers have a lot to keep track of. In the past, before drones were a major asset to farming, people invested in plane surveillance. Planes can’t be used as often and with the expense of manned aircraft, farmers tend to use data surveillance by plane sparingly. Drones, on the other hand, can survey the land on a daily or weekly basis.</p><p>When used, these drones can complete a variety of jobs on farms and ranches. Here are just some of the tasks that they are capable of:</p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Diagnosing problems with plants</li><li>Imaging that can determine water efficiency</li><li>Imaging for soil erosion predictions</li><li>Imaging of pest infestations</li><li>Crop dusting</li></ul><p></p><p>One interesting fact to keep note of is that you can use a drone with a near-infrared sensor to determine stress in plants. Plants can show signs that they are in distress before you’ll see any signs of physical damage. This gives you an upper hand and the ability to try to save your plants before any permanent damage occurs. Additionally, farmers may use the sensors to identify soil damage or erosion. When you have problems with your land or crops, it’s important to know about them in advance so that you can plan further ahead.</p><p>When you have the time to make a plan, then you have a chance to save your crops and maximize your productivity. Drones make it possible for you to gather extra information in a fast and convenient way. Your eyes aren’t going to be able to tell you when a plant is in distress or when there’s unseen soil damage. Drones are fast, convenient and highly effective.</p><p>Take for example how the agricultural industry uses thermal imagining to determine whether a farm is watered adequately. Keep in mind that watered areas tend to be cooler than the areas that are not. A great drone to use for this purpose is the DJI Inspire 1. Not only is it fitted with thermal imagining but it also has 3D mapping and crop monitoring capabilities.</p><p><b>Fixed Wing Drones</b></p><p>Fixed-wing drones are preferred by the agricultural industry. This is because their batteries tend to last longer and they can survey larger expanses of land. This is better in terms of surveillance and data collection over a large area. Fixed-wing drones fly higher and spend more time in the air than multi-rotor drones. Since these are also larger and can carry more, they are often equipped with more sensors. This allows ranchers and farmers to get more work done. When it comes to this type of drone, they tend to look more like airplanes with large wingspans.</p><p>Here are two common fixed-wing commercial drones for agriculture:</p><p><b>PrecisionHawk Lancaster 5</b></p><p>With high stability, the Lancaster 5 is a sturdy fixed-wing drone. Onboard, it has sensors that can measure temperature, air pressure, and humidity. It can also respond to changing weather conditions. With an inflight monitoring system, you can monitor its battery life, altitude, and position from home. It is also capable of 2D and 3D mapping.</p><p>Drone Features:</p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>45 minute flight time</li><li>4.9 FT wingspan</li><li>300 acres survey area per flight</li><li>12-16 m/s cruise speed</li><li>5.3 LBS</li></ul><p></p><p><b>Sensefly eBee SQ</b></p><p>The Sensefly eBee SQ is practical for data collection. In one flight, you can capture the soil temperature, H20 levels, and plant counts. Additionally, it is capable of 3D mapping.</p><p>Drone Features:</p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>55 minute flight time</li><li>110 cm wingspan</li><li>500-acre survey area per flight</li><li>28 mph cruise speed</li><li>2.4 LBs</li></ul><p></p><p><b>Multi-Rotor Drones</b></p><p>Multi-Rotor drones are also a good choice for farmers, especially when you want a drone with more control. These drones have more than two rotors for flying. This can be especially helpful for beginners. Now, when you want to fly your drone low to the ground or need it to fit into smaller places, the multi-rotor is more advantageous. For many farmers, the type of drone that you choose depends on the size of your farm and your level of skill with a drone.</p><p>Here are two common multi-rotor drones:</p><p><b>DJI Phantom 4 PRO</b></p><p>This is an easy-to-use beginner agricultural drone. With Sentera’s NSVI upgrade, it is capable of capturing high-resolution color. This is a great way for a farmer to determine the health of their land. Predominately used for scouting, it is a hardy agricultural drone.</p><p>Drone Features:</p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>30 minute flight time</li><li>4.3-mile transmission distance</li><li>45 mph cruise speed</li><li>2.94 LBs</li></ul><p></p><p><b>SOLO AGCO Edition UAV</b></p><p>This drone contains high-resolution mapping software that farmers can utilize on their properties. With two cameras, aerial mapping is not only possible but is also easy to carry out. This is a great drone for those who need to scout.</p><p>Drone Features:</p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>20 minute flight time</li><li>55 mph cruise speed</li><li>2 customized cameras</li><li>Automatic takeoff</li></ul><p></p><p><br /></p><p>When you purchase a drone, it can come with many different features and add-ons for the specific tasks you need. If you need a higher resolution camera or specific imaging, it’s possible to customize your drone to fit your needs.</p><p><b>Animal Agriculture</b></p><p>Many farmers and ranchers have an extensive amount of property in which large herds of animals can roam. In this case, it may be difficult for farmers or their work animals to monitor the herd at all times. Drones are lightweight, fast, and can follow herds wherever they roam. Not only do they have a live tracking system, but also professional, commercial drones for agriculture can feed live video to your laptop or smartphone.</p><p>In addition, a drone equipped with infrared or night vision will be able to see your animals even when you can’t. Cows, for instance, have a tendency to hide in forested areas, under the canopies of trees. With the right infrared technology, you’ll be able to see them through the trees when you might not have been able to find them yourself. It won’t be long before drones are a staple of animal agriculture. These devices can be used to raise and manage livestock. In fact, if you need a solid herding tool, drones can perform that too.</p><p>While they continue to develop and better the technology, there is a future for drones in agriculture, especially when it comes to working with the animals themselves.</p><p>What Makes Drones Better?</p><p>New technology can be daunting. Despite having been on the market since the 90s, drones have only started gaining real popularity in the last several years. Don’t be like some people in the industry, however, and be too nervous to take that leap! It’s worth it in the long run and we can tell you why.</p><p>First, consider the price. Using other aerial methods can cost a lot of money. From manned aircraft to satellites, you are paying too much for aerial pictures. Drones cost less money; their imaging is by far cheaper. Second, they have offered more precision when it comes to picture taking. Why spend extra money on images that won’t turn out as well? Here are a few other benefits to drones:</p><p>•<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Detects pests and other problems quicker due to frequent surveying</p><p>•<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Can scout the entirety of a field</p><p>•<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Images can be used to calculate the size of hills and holes.</p><p>Commercial drones for agriculture will continue to gain in popularity. For one farmer or an entire team to keep track of plant and animal health can be exhausting and in some cases a losing battle. People can only do so much. Many farmers end up surveying the perimeter of their land, rather than being able to visualize every part of it. Even if you could, it would not be something that you could take part in every day. Drones offer more of a guarantee. They are an investment that can change the face of agriculture and save money in the end. These drones could be yours and all you have to do is make sure you have the battery life.</p><p>From simple images, 3D mapping, to infrared technology, the drone has few tasks unfit for it.</p><div><br /></div>The Personal Collectionshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16114937188048558330noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8494644547311771313.post-47394367747227922992021-11-27T02:24:00.002-08:002021-11-27T02:24:18.042-08:00How Are Commercial Drones Used in the Oil and Gas Industry?<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiVimagCbmonDx-6IMFhuQ-lTJKBc7qvmXwjovAY30skLIF4dNbFkH8ZtpQ9D0rhV9UCJOx5D8AbCXZuDp6GPWrdK_qEDwUU5gM4LuwoSqRbdw0HINM2hyWsrXWthvXbqR4mn3-Rgtvm2GjfRV1UMG6s1Uiu3fHLqO9UUKd8rh5UYImbTUAHmv910L_=s2048" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="How Are Commercial Drones Used in the Oil and Gas Industry" border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiVimagCbmonDx-6IMFhuQ-lTJKBc7qvmXwjovAY30skLIF4dNbFkH8ZtpQ9D0rhV9UCJOx5D8AbCXZuDp6GPWrdK_qEDwUU5gM4LuwoSqRbdw0HINM2hyWsrXWthvXbqR4mn3-Rgtvm2GjfRV1UMG6s1Uiu3fHLqO9UUKd8rh5UYImbTUAHmv910L_=w400-h266" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>The oil and gas industry has come to rely on commercial drones for
inspection and data-gathering purposes in recent years. As early as 2014, the
petroleum company BP received FAA authorization to use commercial drones to
monitor its facilities. Since then, the number of drones, pilots, and services
that cater to these industries have grown exponentially. Durable professional
drone designs that are equipped with the latest high-definition and advanced
thermal cameras, as well as specialized sensors, can be useful for a wide variety
of oil and gas applications. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">Drones have already been used to perform pipeline inspections over
large areas including terrain that previously required the use of manned
helicopters. Inspections at on- and off-shore operations have historically
required costly shutdowns as well as the use of risky rope access and
scaffolding methods that put workers at risk. Inspections can be completed in a
manner that is more cost-effective, productive, quick, and safe by
manually-piloted or automated drones.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b>Oil and Gas Drone Components</b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">The types of industrial drones that are used in the oil and gas
industry are outwardly similar to commercial or professional drones. A
professional drone such as one of the offerings in the DJI Matrice series has
comparable core components and flight times to drones used for commercial or
industrial applications. Many services that specialize in supplying oil and gas
companies with drones or aerial imaging services and data gathering offer
packages that include top-level models from respected brands that also
manufacture consumer drones. There are also some specialized drone makers that
specialize in their own unique industrial drone designs and software for use in
specific industries.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">In general, drones that are intended for use in the oil and gas
industry or for similar industrial purposes are capable of achieving relatively
lengthy flight times. These drones feature powerful cameras for
high-resolution imaging consisting of stills and video footage and often also
feature thermal cameras for obtaining more complete data below the visible
surface. Common uses for drones in this industry include monitoring the
conditions and flow between upstream systems, midstream infrastructure, and
downstream facilities for leaks or any signs of infrastructural damage such as
corrosion or rust. Thermal energy can be used to detect the distribution of
natural gas in a piping system and detect pitting. These drones can also be
equipped with optical airborne gas sensors or precision laser measurement
hardware to allow them to obtain nearly any necessary type of inspection data.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b>Advantages and Challenges</b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">There are many significant advantages to performing inspections and
other essential imaging and monitoring tasks using commercial drones. These
advantages are maximized when the drones that are being used are equipped with
specialized hardware and sensors that enable them to provide the most useful
data for designated analysts at companies in the oil and gas industry. For one,
drones that are piloted either by humans or by algorithms are much more
cost-effective and safe than relying on helicopters, ropes, or scaffolding for
inspections.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">The use of drones can all but eliminate risk for human inspectors and
workers as well as the need to temporarily shut down facilities for inspection.
As a result, inspections can be performed with greater frequency under standard
operating conditions. This can allow for a greater degree of preventative
maintenance as opposed to responses to anomalies that have already advanced to
the point that they are causing environmentally detrimental leaks and expensive
and potentially dangerous downtimes.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">Fleets of drones can also be used to enhance the security of equipment,
property, resources, and technology on a daily basis Companies in the oil and
gas sector that decide to depend on drones can obtain more data with greater
frequency than they otherwise could and more than any competitors that are not
yet capable of these constant and refined observations. Given proper analysis
of these data sets, this information can be used to generate more effective and
profitable operational, maintenance, and security plans and protocols.
Depending on whether a company would prefer to invest in the capacity to
perform perpetual independent drone imaging or simply have this option from an
on-call service, they can work with contractors and suppliers to achieve the
right drone solutions for maximizing safety and savings.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">Some of the major challenges that still exist when it comes to the use
of drones in the oil and gas industry include durability and flight time. Drone
design and materials are becoming increasingly resilient and innovative systems
are also being created to charge and shelter these devices. One system includes
so-called pit stops or charging points located along flight routes to increase
the distance capacity of each drone. These systems could work with either
manual or automated drones. In at least one instance, this system consists of
weather-shielded domes that protect drones and can allow them to charge if they
run out of power or conditions become unsuitable for continued flight for any
reason.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">Other companies and aerial imaging services provide fleets of drones
that can be assigned to cover small portions of vast areas, capturing footage
and data simultaneously. This strategy allows for the full inspection of an
area such as a large tank farm or length of pipeline in far less time than a
single drone, even with charging points or extended flight times. Any
drone-based inspection is likely to be more affordable and fast and less risky
than traditional manned methods.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b>Future Innovations</b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">Given the rapid pace of drone development over the last several years,
it may become feasible for companies or firms to depend on fewer or more
specialized drones to perform inspection tasks with fewer resources and greater
efficiency. There is also likely to be widespread growth and development in the
generation of drone and fleet flying algorithms and software that will empower
companies to take the creation of complex large-scale flight plans into their
own hands or all-but-completely automate data and imagery gathering missions.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">Continued developments in the field of automated flight raise the
prospect of a future in which commercial drones are used all of the time for
monitoring and inspection in the oil and gas industry and many other commercial
and industrial markets. Some firms already specialize in helping companies in
this sector determine the right drone solutions for their needs and launch
fleets that are controlled by customized algorithms or easy-to-use cloud-based
flying and data management software. Human pilots will be gradually phased out
as a full range of inspection and information-gathering procedures become
automated all the way up to and beyond the level of data analysis. More
frequent data readings should allow for further refinement of
information-gathering mechanisms and more thorough observations over time.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">The use of commercial drones in the oil and gas industry at present is
laying the foundation for a future in which companies in this sector are
capable of affordably taking the proactive steps necessary to prevent leaks and
other adverse or anomalous events that can lead to environmental disasters on
land or at sea. Drones greatly facilitate the monitoring and maintenance
processes and are capable of offering support for emergency response and
containment initiatives. Taken together, all of these capacities help to make
on-shore or off-shore platforms, pipelines, and other facilities safer for
human workers by allowing for the condition of vital infrastructure to be
closely monitored in addition to changing conditions.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b>Reduce Risk and Raise Profits</b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">Regardless of whether the drones that an oil and gas company uses are
manual or automated, they are still a significant step toward safer operations.
It is likely that drone monitoring and inspection will become standard
operating procedures in this and many other industries given the amount of money
that can be saved through preventative maintenance and reduction of many risks
formerly posed to human workers. Drones are likely to find their most practical
uses in this type of highly-specialized large-scale imaging and data gathering
work.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">The benefits of reduced risks and costs are perhaps most pronounced for
oil and gas operations. According to a study undertaken by the UK oil and gas
firm Fircroft, drone inspections can be up to 85% faster and cheaper than
standard oil platform inspection techniques. It is also the case that
substantial savings are achieved by the simple fact that a platform or rig does
not need to be shut down prior to drone inspection as it would need to be for
human inspectors relying on precarious methods such as ropes and scaffolding.
Another company involved in oil and gas applications has found that using
drones for flare stack inspections can result in more than one million dollars
in recovered production costs. The ability to safely continue operations during
inspections can pave the way to more regular inspections and safer operations.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">Drones are the most technologically-adept and efficient method for
monitoring the status of oil and gas equipment and infrastructure at every part
of the extraction and refining process. As drones become more common in this
industry and for a wide variety of other commercial and industrial
applications, it will lead the way to a safer and more productive environment
for resource extraction and refinement.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p>The Personal Collectionshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16114937188048558330noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8494644547311771313.post-27803806784471975992021-11-27T02:18:00.007-08:002021-11-27T02:20:01.200-08:00Everything You Need To Know About Drone Racing Kits<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhv-WNRP0nlfI_m0nv3i9wCllJHUr1p2_x4fDf3kYXxKuNFp4WNWBAlH45KzcH4gTDwYDd6xooDoHBC2nnCLkIIf8LVlcg4_nCjuglci5vbS8VpzKs_nTNm4AgsfGZtex0DVNGjSQ80ePxWUDl69hGrNzVGj02g1Z48nAN-Cqxghcspev5Cs0uFUUfE=s2048" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Everything You Need To Know About Drone Racing Kits" border="0" data-original-height="1335" data-original-width="2048" height="261" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhv-WNRP0nlfI_m0nv3i9wCllJHUr1p2_x4fDf3kYXxKuNFp4WNWBAlH45KzcH4gTDwYDd6xooDoHBC2nnCLkIIf8LVlcg4_nCjuglci5vbS8VpzKs_nTNm4AgsfGZtex0DVNGjSQ80ePxWUDl69hGrNzVGj02g1Z48nAN-Cqxghcspev5Cs0uFUUfE=w400-h261" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>A lot of fun can be had with an rtf racing drone that comes assembled right out of the box. But if you’ve honed your skills on a simulator and spent some time flying an fpv racing drone, you may be ready for the next step: building your own drone. Unless you’re already an engineer, drone racing kits are the perfect stepping stone between flying something pre-assembled and building a racing drone from scratch. They usually come with all the components you need and it’s up to you to put them together. In the process, you’ll learn what all the parts are and how they fit together.</p><p>Once you’ve assembled a drone from a kit it will seem easy to switch out specific components in order to upgrade your drone or customize its performance. Before you know it, you’ll have a custom, built-from-scratch drone in the race, which increases your chances of winning considerably. If you haven’t spent much time thinking about how your drone works beyond charging batteries and replacing propellers damaged in a crash, even a kit may seem overwhelming. However, once you familiarize yourself with the components listed below, it should seem more manageable.</p><p>What you get in your drone racing kit all depends on the kit. Some rtf kits come with everything listed below, from the frame to the goggles. Many kits are more basic and they only provide the components needed to build the quadcopter, leaving it to you to purchase your own receiver and radio transmitter, goggles, camera, video transmitter, battery, and battery charger. If you’ve already got a headset and transmitter you love, a more basic kit may let you keep using them with a better racing drone. If you want to be sure everything will work together without a lot of research, go for an rtf kit.</p><p><b>The Components</b></p><p>The following components are all necessary to build a functional fpv racing drone, which is why a kit should include all of them. Also included are some suggestions for when you’re ready to upgrade a component to what the pros use. </p><p><b>Frame</b></p><p>The frame is what gives a drone its distinctive shape and provides the base that everything else will be attached to. In the quadcopters used by hobbyists or videographers, frames are sometimes made of plastic or other materials. A racing drone, however, benefits from being as light as possible because when there’s less weight to haul around an obstacle course it can fly faster. That’s why the good ones are made from lightweight carbon and they often have an open design. The compromise is between having a lightweight frame that’s still durable enough to survive a crash.</p><p>A good frame for beginners will be a little on the larger side, giving you plenty of room to get everything attached. The downside is this will be a little heavier than something smaller. For a professional-grade racing frame, consider the iFlight RACER iX5. The high-quality carbon is durable and light and the frame itself is not overly expensive. It’s on the small side, so it’s better if you have some previous experience with assembly before you upgrade to this frame. </p><p><b>Motors</b> </p><p>The motors power your propellers to make your drone fly. In a typical quadcopter, which are the most common type of racing drone (though definitely not the only type) there’s one motor to power each propeller. For one of the fastest, most powerful motors, go with the EMAX RS 2205S.</p><p><b>Propellers</b></p><p>Propellers are the spinning blades that create lift and velocity so your quadcopter can fly. They come with 2, 3, or 4 blades as well as in different sizes. Five inches is probably the most popular size class among racers. What type of propeller you get also depends on your motors. Slower motors can go up to 4 blades while faster ones use propellers with a maximum of 3 blades. DALProp Cyclone are popular pro propeller.</p><p><b>The Power Distribution Board</b></p><p>The Power Distribution Board (PDB) sends power from the battery to the places it needs to go, namely the electronic speed controllers, the receiver, the flight controller, the camera, and the video transmitter. You can think of it as your drone’s spinal cord, sending electrical impulses to all its working parts. Some high-end boards, like the Realacc/Matek HUBOSD will even come with On Screen Display, so that you can monitor how much battery power you have left, how much voltage you’re using, and other helpful information right in your goggles. </p><p><b>Electronic Speed Controllers</b></p><p>When you use your radio transmitter to tell your drone to speed up or slow down, the electronic speed controllers turn to translate that signal into the correct voltage and send it to your motors. You can either get four separate electronic speed controllers or what’s called a 4in1, which bundles all four into a single component. The advantage to having four separate electronic speed controllers is that if one is damaged in a crash or some other incident you only need to replace one instead of all four. </p><p>If you have the money to spend on top-of-the-line components, the DYS XSD 20A electronic speed controllers are some of the best you can get. They can send more power to your motors, and that translates into faster speeds on race day. </p><p><b>Flight Controller</b></p><p>The flight controller is your drone’s central processor. Radio signals picked up by the receiver and information from the gyroscope all get processed here so that commands can be forwarded to the relevant components. A more expensive flight controller is going to give you greater processing power, making it a little smarter and more responsive than cheaper options. When you’re ready to upgrade, the Revolt F4 is a great option. </p><p><b>Receiver</b></p><p>The receiver receives signals from your transmitter, so it’s how you communicate with your drone. Because the receiver and transmitter work together, they must be compatible. In fact, at the more affordable end of the scale, the transmitter and receiver are sold together. Any drone racing kit you get will obviously provide you with compatible components, so there’s no need to worry about it. However, if the time comes when you feel like you want to upgrade, the important thing is to double-check compatibility.</p><p>For the most part, this means using a radio transmitter and receiver from the same company, as each has its own protocol. FrSky transmitters and receivers are extremely popular among racers, and for a professional-grade receiver, take a look at the FrSky X4RSB.</p><p><b>Radio Transmitter</b></p><p>If there’s one component you don’t want to skimp on, it’s the radio transmitter. This is how you communicate with your drone and control it. If you can afford to splurge on one thing, let it be your transmitter. Investing in a FrSky Taranis x9D up-front can carry you all the way from beginner to pro-level drone racing. It works with all the most popular flight simulators and is also beloved by serious racers.</p><p><b>Batteries</b></p><p>Batteries provide the power that makes your drone work. Bigger batteries provide more power but they also weigh more, which means they require more power to operate. Finding the right balance between weight and power is critical for racing drones, which require minimal weight and maximum power. Most racing drones use a 4S battery with a capacity between 1300 and 1500 mAh, which deliver decent power but are still relatively light. The Dinogy Graphene 2.0 is a top-of-the-line choice.</p><p><b>Battery Charger</b> </p><p>You also need a battery charger so you can recharge your battery once it runs out. In a kit, your charger will always be compatible with your batter, but if you have to replace it, double-check compatibility before you buy. </p><p><b>Camera</b></p><p>Having a good camera can mean the difference between cruising around a course with no problem and smashing your quadcopter to pieces because you couldn’t see clearly when you flew from a darker place to a lighter place. It also makes for a way more intense flight experience when what you see is crisp and clear. If your kit comes with a subpar camera, consider making this one of your first upgrades. The 600TVL Sony is an excellent choice.</p><p><b>Video Transmitter</b></p><p>The video transmitter is what sends the image captured by your camera to the video receiver in your headset. Most let you change channel, frequency and signal power. The Eachine TX526 gives you great options at a still affordable price.</p><p><b>Goggles</b></p><p>When it comes to headsets, there’s a huge range in quality and cost. At the low end, you can pay as little as $60, but that gives you a pixelated image that’s probably going to interfere with your ability to navigate a course and greatly diminish the pleasures of fpv flying. At the other end of the spectrum, you can spend hundreds of dollars for goggles that give you a fully immersive experience with amazing resolution, a DVR recorder and it will be comfortable to wear. Fatshark Dominator V3 goggles are some of the best money can buy, but they aren’t cheap.</p><p><b>What Else You Need</b></p><p>Once you’ve picked out a kit, remember you’ll need tools to do the actual assembly. Some of these are basic tools you probably already have in your home tool kit, but there are some you’ll probably have to purchase. Even the best pilots crash sometimes, so having a good collection of tools will allow you to make your own repairs and rebuild your quadcopter, which makes them a worthwhile investment. Here’s a list of what you should have on hand when you build your quad.</p><p style="text-align: left;"></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><i>Soldering iron</i></li><li><i>Hex drivers</i></li><li><i>Wrench</i></li><li><i>Pliers</i></li><li><i>Wire cutters</i></li><li><i>Tweezers</i></li><li><i>Hot glue gun</i></li></ul><p></p><p>With these basic tools, you’ll have everything you need to turn the parts in your drone racing kit into a fully functional racing drone. As you become more comfortable working on drones, you might also consider getting a multimeter to test electrical currents and a power drill so you can make serious modifications when necessary. Drone racing kits are definitely the gateway to building drones from scratch. Once you have assembled your first drone kit, you’re on your way to having the skills and knowledge to create a one-of-a-kind, custom-built racing drone that performs exactly how you want it to. </p><p><br /></p>The Personal Collectionshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16114937188048558330noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8494644547311771313.post-89057992837151007012021-11-07T05:55:00.003-08:002021-11-07T05:56:20.663-08:00The History of Competitive Drone Racing<p> <span style="font-size: 11pt;">If you are a drone
enthusiast, then you may be looking for ways to make the activity more exciting
than simply hovering your device around the park. To meet this demand and to
use drones to their fullest potential, several drone racing leagues have popped
up all over the world in recent years. Rotorcross was the first professional
league to form, and it was based out of New Zealand and Australia.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">The sport is relatively
straightforward. Competitors race their devices through a course, which may be
filled with obstacles, and try to be the first to cross the finish line.
Operators see what is going on throughout the course with the aid of a camera
strapped to the drone itself. Therefore, people see what the drone “sees.”</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhkjJgCbvdIZ4ko0DGWnH3pCKNqgiQl_xtu7wFCASgwfp7MfpIA97Cbu1yl4JbQUJstWHmZWivXBkIdp307cOIlOLA7igNTcMejMCQrT8TpjUYCThiyHPLyDpxL-3mXx-qEBCfAccLFW8tI3Y1Rtup4reTkldHGMighg4RZ_9HUlMKwbhgqLlP3z_sR=s2048" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="The History of Competitive Drone Racing" border="0" data-original-height="1366" data-original-width="2048" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhkjJgCbvdIZ4ko0DGWnH3pCKNqgiQl_xtu7wFCASgwfp7MfpIA97Cbu1yl4JbQUJstWHmZWivXBkIdp307cOIlOLA7igNTcMejMCQrT8TpjUYCThiyHPLyDpxL-3mXx-qEBCfAccLFW8tI3Y1Rtup4reTkldHGMighg4RZ_9HUlMKwbhgqLlP3z_sR=w400-h266" width="400" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Different Leagues</span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">There are several different
leagues involved with competitive drone racing. Arguably the most famous is the
Drone Racing League. However, other popular organizations include:</span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-left: 38pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 11pt;">MultiGP<b><o:p></o:p></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 38pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 11pt;">X Class Drone
Racing<b><o:p></o:p></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 38pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Europen Rotor
Sports Association<b><o:p></o:p></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 38pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Drone Sports
Association<b><o:p></o:p></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 38pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Canadian Federation
for Drone Racing<b><o:p></o:p></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 38pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 11pt;">TOS FPV Racing
Club<b><o:p></o:p></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 38pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 11pt;">World Drone Prix<b><o:p></o:p></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin-left: 38pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 11pt;">DR1 Racing</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">DRL is quickly becoming the
most prominent racing league, and it has broadcasted competitions over Sky
Sports and ESPN. In the near future, it could very well become the NASCAR of
drone racing.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Essential Equipment</span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Technically, almost any type
of drone can be raced, but the exact equipment necessary will depend on the
league you are in. For example, DRL supplies drones to competitors as well as
any backup part in the event of a crash. However, for other leagues, such as
DR1 Racing, competitors will need to supply their own drones and are
responsible for supplying any replacement parts.</span><span style="font-size: 11pt;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">The most important feature is
that the item needs to have a camera on the nose. Images captured by the camera
are transmitted to a monitor or goggles possessed by the pilot. This
transmission is sent through radio waves. Generally, goggles required to race
can be acquired for anywhere between $50 and $500. However, the more expensive
pieces tend to come with extra features that can be beneficial on the course.
These features include DVR, head tracking, and a wider field of view.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 11pt;">About the Drone Racing League</span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">As the most prominent league
currently in existence, any serious competitor will want to try to get into the
DRL. This organization was started by Nicholas Horbaczewski and Dan Kanes.
Horbaczewski is the former Chief Revenue Officer of Tough Mudder while Kanes
came up with the original concept for the sport. Justice Laub also helped bring
the league to fruition by handling the marketing and business development
components of the job. The league received a lot of initial funding through Lux
Capital and RSE Ventures. Another early investor for Stephen Ross, owner of the
Miami Dolphins.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">The first season of the sport
launched in early 2016. Bud Light and Toy State sponsored the games, and the
races took place at various locations across the United States. Some of the
featured venues included the Miami Dolphins Stadium, a Detroit auto plant, and
an abandoned mall in Los Angeles. The races were broadcast in dozens of
countries, and 75 million individuals tuned in either through TV or online.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">The second season saw great
expansion. The sponsors for the 2017 event were the U.S. Air Force, Amazon
Prime, FORTO Coffee Shots, and Allianz. Jordan “Jet” Temkin, who won the first
season, also took home first place this time around. The courses themselves saw
an international expansion, and this time, courses were located in the United
States, London, and Munich.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">One noteworthy aspect of DRL
is the fact they require all pilots to race the same drones. The reason for
this is to ensure the person who wins is the person who flew best. This
prevents a pilot from winning simply because he or she had a more
technologically-advanced piece of equipment.</span><span style="font-size: 11pt;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Courses</span></b><b><span style="font-size: 11pt;"> </span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Many courses throughout the
various leagues test a pilot’s ability to maneuver a drone in a number of
styles. Here are some of the most common types of courses and what they are
meant to test.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="font-size: 14.6667px;"><b>Speed</b>: These courses are all about testing a pilot’s ability to fly the drone as fast as possible. You will need to be able to find the fastest lane at all costs to come in first.</span></li><li><span style="font-size: 14.6667px;"><b>Turns</b>: These courses have a few more twists, turns and curves throughout the track. You will need to maneuver a drone graciously through the air and use gravity to your full advantage.</span></li><li><span style="font-size: 14.6667px;"><b>Advanced</b>: These are arguably the most difficult courses to master because they combine the need to fly fast while also testing your reaction time with little warning. You will need to make split-second decisions that could end in catastrophe for your drone if you are not careful.</span></li><li><span style="font-size: 14.6667px;"><b>Small Spaces</b>: Finally, these courses will test how well you can fly through tight spaces. There is most often a hoop located in the middle of the course you will need to fly through perfectly to advance and not damage your device.</span></li></ul><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Most courses are outfitted
with special lights and cool effects for a one-of-a-kind experience. Some of
the leagues even encourage fans and competitors alike to submit locations that
would make for exceptional courses. In many instances, the races are held in
abandoned facilities that can be made to look like anything. The designers can
get extremely creative when it comes to designing a course that is both fun and
challenging.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 11pt;">How to Get Involved</span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Although the sport is still
relatively new, it can be difficult to get involved on a professional level. This
is especially the case for anyone who wants to be part of the Drone Racing
League. The best way to get started in drone racing is to take a class and join
a team in your area. You will need to acquire your own drone and goggles in
order to partake in the events. By being part of a team, you will learn when
events are taking place near your city. Your team may even drive out to another
state to get involved and have fun.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">As time goes on, you will be
a part of more and more competitions. It is at this point you may catch the
attention of a professional who wants to test your skills in a more experienced
event. This is an excellent time to get involved in drone racing if you are not
doing it already. Since it is still fairly new, there are still a number of
ways for the sport to grow. You can get your foot through the door and start
making connections to potentially be the next big thing in the drone racing
world.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Recognition</span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">The sport is already earning
praise from numerous outlets. For example, the Drone Racing League was named as
one of the most innovative companies in 2017. Part of what is so incredible
about what DRL has done is that it managed to get broadcasting rights from a
major network. It is clear that stations, such as ESPN, are invested in turning
drone racing into the next big spectator sport. DRL also won an award from
Cynopsis Media for being one of the most innovative companies in the last year.
It is certainly a startup to watch that will only gain more notoriety as time
goes on.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 11pt;">The Future of the Sport</span></b><b><span style="font-size: 11pt;"> </span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Being so new, drone racing
can go almost anywhere in terms of popularity. Plenty of new sports pop up
every year in an attempt to be the next big thing. However, while some will
become instant successes, such as the Electronic Sports League, many others
will fall apart sooner rather than later, which is what happened to the
National Xball League.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">There are some obstacles the
sport needs to get over before it can enjoy any kind of mainstream success. For
starters, the league needs to make it easier for spectators to follow along
with their favorite competitors. One problem with drones is that they all tend
to look the same from a distance. It is perhaps for this reason some races
outfit the drones with small LED lights so that they can be distinguished from
a distance.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">It seems as though drone
racing will not go away any time soon. Some races have already handed out
extremely high cash prizes. For instance, the World Drone Prix was held in
Dubai recently where the winner took home $250,000. Leagues are also attracting
blue-chip sponsors, such as GoPro.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 11pt;">A Rich Yet Short History</span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Truth be told, drone racing
has been around since people could first acquire commercially-accessible
drones. It is not hard to imagine two friends both getting drones and then
wanting to see which one was faster. If this sounds like something that interests
you, then starting is as simple as buying a drone. When just starting out, you
do not necessarily have to invest in an expensive piece of equipment. You can
simply get the hang of operating a drone around various obstacles until you
feel comfortable risking something that costs more. <o:p></o:p></span></p>The Personal Collectionshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16114937188048558330noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8494644547311771313.post-80394078234891035222021-11-07T05:49:00.007-08:002021-11-07T05:55:26.646-08:00Drone Racing 101<p> Few hobbies are as instantly exciting or more addictive than
droning. Still, whether you are thinking about buying a new drone or have owned
one for years, you are probably looking for ways to make drone flying even more
thrilling and satisfying. Participating in a fun, competitive drone racing is a
sure-fire way to take your droning experience to the next level. For good
reason, the sport has grown tremendously in recent years. Here is everything
you need to know about racing your drone.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjBHf6gtrVr5d5ecKdm7qUyX4W7W8CZB-4QjCZTDwwxv5p2E8qd5CWGHMOW8CgKxvlHl_hhROl0bgAryram9HH6ZygAYkve36hK-h2p_bQU9sA6ZP4H0onXeYpLJv3BJePSxnLpnxdBffwP63NrlcwXHZB1blpRYUWlVMX-hZkrVnqjzvrB1LyYHups=s2048" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Drone Racing 101" border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjBHf6gtrVr5d5ecKdm7qUyX4W7W8CZB-4QjCZTDwwxv5p2E8qd5CWGHMOW8CgKxvlHl_hhROl0bgAryram9HH6ZygAYkve36hK-h2p_bQU9sA6ZP4H0onXeYpLJv3BJePSxnLpnxdBffwP63NrlcwXHZB1blpRYUWlVMX-hZkrVnqjzvrB1LyYHups=w400-h400" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>What Is a Drone?<o:p></o:p></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">In generic terms, drones are flying vehicles that a pilot
controls using four fixed-pitch fan blades. These blades spin at varying speeds
to direct the drone in any direction. For competition purposes, the definition
of “drone” may vary. Individual race rules often limit a drone’s size, power or
other features. Prior to registering for a competition, you must review race
rules and other restrictions to be certain your drone meets all qualifications.
You should also be prepared for race officials to inspect your drone on race
day. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>What Is a Race?<o:p></o:p></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Many drone operators enjoy flying their vehicles in a
competition-free environment. Those looking for more of a challenge, however,
often enter their drones in a race. Drone racing, sometimes called rotorcross,
offers that challenge in an organized, highly competitive setting. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">During the race, pilots fly drones through a pre-set course.
Courses usually vary in length and complexity, giving both new and
professional pilots an opportunity to showcase their talents. Generally, both
speed and navigation are scored, meaning the pilot must be accurate and fast to
beat other competitors. As with any race, failing to follow race rules may
result in the assessment of penalties or disqualification from the race. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Drone racing is still in its infancy, with many pilots
viewing races to be the drone sport of the future. Also, drone pilots are
continually thinking of ways to demonstrate their flying prowess. Thus, new
events are sure to crop up in the future. If you haven’t found the perfect
drone competition for you, you may be on the forefront of designing an exciting
event for other drone operators. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>Where Are Races
Located?<o:p></o:p></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Drone pilots form associations around the world. These
associations frequently hold drone racing competitions. Meanwhile, amateur
groups often organize races. To find a race near you, check for drone
associations in your area. Becoming a member of one of these groups or joining
a group mailing list are both effective ways to learn about upcoming races. Similarly,
many drone racing leagues have formed in countries around the globe. These
leagues frequently hold races for pilots of all skill levels. If you are
serious about participating in many races or supporting the drone racing
community, joining a drone racing league is an effective option. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Since drone racing is only beginning to catch on in
popularity, you may have to travel hundreds of miles to compete against other
pilots. While this can be exciting, it can also be costly. Because drone racers
are usually passionate about the sport, they are often happy to help racers
establish events in their communities. As such, if there is no race in your
area, you may want to start one. Begin by deciding which type of event you want
to sponsor. Then, connect with other drone racers for the resources you need to
pull off a successful competition. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>What Is a Video Race?<o:p></o:p></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">One of the most popular types of drone competitions is the
first-person video race. With these races, drone pilots outfit their vehicles
with a camera. Then, instead of maneuvering the drone using the naked eye,
pilots rely on video playback through head-mounted display screens. As you may
suspect, controlling a drone using the drone’s visual perspective is often
considerably more challenging than a conventional race. Accordingly, drone
pilots typically wait to register for a video competition until they have
acquired significant drone piloting skills. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">During video races, pilots aren’t the only ones who wear
headgear. Rather, in many events, spectators also don helmets to give them a
first-person view of the action. If race watchers want to see another drone or
watch a different competitor, they simply change frequencies. Remember,
different racing organizations offer different viewing experiences, so check
with your race’s organizers to see how spectators are encouraged to watch your
event.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>What Is the Global
Racing League?<o:p></o:p></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Perhaps the most popular racing organization for video-race
droning is the Global Racing League. This league allows pilots to compete for a
well-earned, world-championship racing title. Those who participate in the GRL
may compete through four stages of racing, each testing their piloting skills
in a video race. Interestingly, the league does not allow racers to provide their
own drones. Instead, all drones used in competition are made and serviced
in-house, helping to level the playing field for race pilots. That is, if you
win a GRL event, you know it was skill, not your drone, that put you over the
top.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Unfortunately, the GRL is exclusive, limiting competition to
pilots with exceptional skills. As such, prior to joining the GRL, pilots
usually work through an online simulation to give them an idea of course
challenges. Remember, many of the courses in the GRL use wind-generating turbines
to increase the difficulty of three-dimensional courses. Participating in this
series of races often helps pilots become better drone flyers, as the GRL gives
participants access to a variety of resources. If you are looking to compete
against the best of the best, joining the GRL is a great way to ensure you have
top-notch competition. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>Are Drone Upgrades
Acceptable? <o:p></o:p></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">You probably know that not every style of the drone is a good
fit for every type of flying. Some drones are designed to hover, making them a
good fit for aerial photography. Others are built to move through the air
quickly, allowing them to dominate on a course where speed is a factor. Before
choosing the right drone for your competition, be sure you understand the
purpose of the event. Then, select the drone that gives you the best chance of
dominating without violating the competition’s rules or restrictions.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">As with any sport, drone competitions have rules that govern
how participants must behave before, during, and after races. These rules dictate
which drone upgrades are acceptable and which ones violate the rules. Often,
however, pilots choose to customize their vehicles to give them advantages on
the course or during the race. Since many aftermarket components help pilots
improve drone agility and speed, diligent flyers check with the pertinent
associations to avoid violating competition rules. Likewise, pilots often
choose to carry spare parts and tools with them on race day. As you may
suspect, making fast repairs during a race is critical for remaining
competitive. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">With the GRL, pilots typically don’t supply their own
drones. Instead, league officials give pilots access to drones made and
maintained by the league itself. Likewise, if a league-supplied drone sustains
damage on race day, GRL rules require pilots use league-approved parts in
making repairs. If you plan to participate in a GRL-sanctioned event, check
with league officials prior to the competition to be sure you understand how to
maneuver the drone used in the race. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>What Are Some Other
Racing Options?<o:p></o:p></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">If you aren’t yet ready for a high-level GRL competition,
don’t panic. There are hundreds of other racing opportunities, each targeted to
satisfy the racing objectives of individual pilots. That is, whether you are a
first-time racer or have been racing for years, you can find the perfect
competition to showcase your drone piloting abilities. Often, either taking a
piloting class or joining a drone group is the best way to learn about races
and other competitions. Meanwhile, a growing number of drone racing enthusiasts
have begun to offer podcasts, videos, and other informational resources to
pilots. Taking advantage of these resources is also a good way to find out
about upcoming races and other competitions. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>Is Drone Racing
Lucrative?<o:p></o:p></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">There are hundreds of drone racing events around the globe,
each with different objectives. Most who participate in drone racing do so
because of a deep love of the sport. Still, competition winners may walk away
with thousands of dollars in winnings. Since each competition awards winners
with different prizes, be sure to ask about accolades before registering in a
competition. Also, remember that racing organizations usually charge an entry
fee for competitions. You may also have to pay for travel to and from the
event. To get the most out of your racing experience, be sure you budget
effectively for all race-related expenses. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><a name="_gjdgxs"></a>Drone racing is probably the sport of
the future. Those who participate in the sport understand how incredibly
thrilling drone competitions can be. Still, with the variety of events offered
by different organizations around the planet, drone pilots can get their racing
fix in a seemingly endless number of ways. By discovering which events are right
for you, choosing the best equipment, joining drone racing groups and honing
your skills, you can likely turn your drone hobby into a passion. <o:p></o:p></p>The Personal Collectionshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16114937188048558330noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8494644547311771313.post-52824476690054298652021-11-07T04:37:00.004-08:002021-11-07T04:37:28.702-08:00Types of Drones and What You Can Do With Them<p> If you’re new to drones, you might be a little confused
about what counts as a drone. The broadest definition includes anything that
flies without an onboard pilot and is controlled, either directly or
indirectly, by a human. This can mean anything from unmanned aerial vehicles,
or UAVs, used by the military to spy or deploy weapons, to radio-controlled
aircraft flown by hobbyists for fun. That’s a lot of types of drones!</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjRb7Blg8zg5lCzjHpPyDZVO69_R3O9db_MQHncXkW07Zz5Qs44xxXXy9DdCXuJt18lcZErVkHcDmFldHI6NcrGBd4y0qpMQ0gfMBLqNuz7tL-Ap3buBIEHT-P_rfpJDvRauYugXGTkCQeD-B2jJwU9N1imntwEOOB_c6mb4wa18z38PKIRA7mLyjq0=s2048" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Types of Drones and What You Can Do With Them" border="0" data-original-height="1362" data-original-width="2048" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjRb7Blg8zg5lCzjHpPyDZVO69_R3O9db_MQHncXkW07Zz5Qs44xxXXy9DdCXuJt18lcZErVkHcDmFldHI6NcrGBd4y0qpMQ0gfMBLqNuz7tL-Ap3buBIEHT-P_rfpJDvRauYugXGTkCQeD-B2jJwU9N1imntwEOOB_c6mb4wa18z38PKIRA7mLyjq0=w400-h266" width="400" /></a></div>
<p class="MsoNormal">Writers on the topic have categorized drones by range, size,
capabilities, and method of lift. Method of lift is a good place to start
because it has the biggest impact on what a drone can do. And since you’re probably
interested in a type of drone you can use for recreational or professional
purposes, this article won’t spend time on big military drones. Instead, it will
focus on drone types available to the public and all the cool things you can do
with them.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>Know Your Methods of
Lift</b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">There’s more than one way to get airborne, and different
types of drones make use of most of them. If you have a mental image of a
drone, it might be of a quadcopter or quadrotor. These are the most popular,
and there are good reasons for that. But drones come in many shapes and sizes,
and which one is the best depends on what you want to do with it. Here’s a
breakdown of the different drone types based on their method of lift.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>1. Multirotor Drones</b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">These drones use multiple propellers to fly. They can have
as few as a three or as many as eight. You might find one with more, like
NASA’s Greased Lightning GL-10, a 10-rotor drone that hovers like a helicopter
but flies like a plane, but they aren’t common. While your typical
battery-powered multirotor can’t fly as far or as fast as other types of
drones, multirotor have the advantage of being very stable and easy to fly.
They’re also easier to care for and less expensive than other types.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">One of the limitations of multirotor drones for professional
applications is that they’re battery-powered and propellers require a lot of
power. If you try to fit it with a bigger battery, it ends up using the extra
power to carry that heavy battery. The end result is most can’t fly for more
than 30 minutes or carry more than 5 pounds. But brand new hybrid gas-to-electric
multirotor drones are changing that. These types of drones can fly around 100
miles carrying 20 pounds, making them more practical for delivering goods.<b> </b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>2. Helicopter Drones</b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Also called single-rotor drones, these look and fly just
like manned helicopters. They’re faster and more efficient than drones with
multiple rotors, which means they can stay in the air for longer stretches of
time. So why aren’t they more popular? Probably because they’re harder to fly,
and that means easier to break. They tend to require a little more maintenance
and cost more, too.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>3. Fixed Wing Drones</b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Before everyone started talking about drones, there were
radio-controlled airplanes. Also known as fixed-wing drones, these remotely
operated planes can’t hover like rotor drones and, just like real airplanes,
need a lot of space to take off and land. On the plus side, they can fly a lot
faster and farther and for longer periods of time.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Some estimates suggest these types of drones have 10 times
the endurance of multirotor drones. That’s one reason they’re still the most
popular for surveying and other scientific applications. There’s also a community
of hobbyists who fly them, although it requires more commitment than multirotor
drones. Fixed-wing drones tend to be expensive, and they require a lot more
skill to fly.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>4. Hybrids</b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Drones that combine the vertical lift-off and landing of
rotor drones with fixed-wing flight aren’t very common — yet. Besides NASA’s
GL-10, the most famous one is Amazon’s delivery drone. You’re not as likely to
run across one of these at your local hobby shop, but they’re around and will
probably gain in popularity. Innovations in drone design are at a fever pitch
right now, so don’t be surprised if you see newer, faster and more efficient
types of drones coming out all the time.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>Know Your Goals</b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The best drone depends entirely on what you want to
accomplish and how much you can afford to spend. The method of lift is just one aspect
of a drone. There’s also its size, how you fly it and what type of equipment it
can carry. Here are some of the things you can do with a drone and the type of
drone you should do it with.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>1. Learn To Fly a
Drone</b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">If you’re interested in learning to fly drones, don’t go out
and buy a $1000 drone kit, unless you can afford to crash $1000 into a cliff
just to watch it burn. There are some terrific ready-to-fly, or RTF, drones on
the market for around $100 or less. These types of drones can be flown right
out of the box, with no assembly is required except maybe snapping the propellers into
place. There are even a couple drones in this price range that come with
cameras already installed.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Not only are they easier than more sophisticated drones that
you have to assemble yourself, but you also won’t feel so bad about breaking them when
you accidentally fly one into a tree. Once you’ve learned the basics of flying
and maybe a few tricks, you can buy something bigger, more expensive, and with
cool capabilities.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>2. Learn Tricks, Goof
Off and Drive Your Pets Crazy</b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">For as little as $15 you can own a quadcopter that you can
park on the palm of your hand. Some of them are so small you can park two or
three on your hand! Nano and micro drones are smaller than 250 mm (about 10 inches),
cheap, and incredibly fun. The tiniest ones can only be flown in the house, and
none of them can fly for very long before being recharged, but who cares? Buy a
few of these types of drones and you can have hours of fun tormenting your cat
and learning how to do barrel rolls without feeling too bad if you crash and
burn.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>3. Race or Just Know
How It Feels To Be a Bird</b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Even if you hadn't heard of it, you had to guess drone
racing was a thing, because of course, it is. But it’s even cooler than that because
racing drones use FPV, First-Person View. That means a tiny camera on the drone
broadcasts a live view to a screen or pair of goggles worn by the pilot. You
see what the drone sees. If you want a preview of just how insanely awesome
that is, go watch some videos on YouTube.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">These types of drones are built to be fast and maneuverable,
so the cameras they carry usually aren’t good enough to make quality videos.
They are, however, good enough to let you see what the world looks like from
above and make you feel like a bird, or in some cases, a bee. You can spend a
lot on racing drones, and the people who take it seriously end up building
their own, which can run into real money. But for a couple hundred dollars, you
can race a tiny drone around your house and see what the top of your head looks
like.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>4. Make a Movie</b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Remember that scene in Skyfall when James Bond is chasing a
guy over the rooftops on a motorbike? Or how about pretty much any battle scene
in Game of Thrones? Those were all shot by mounting a camera on a drone. In
fact, drones are so good for filming that there’s an entire film festival
devoted to drone footage: the New York City Drone Film Festival.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The types of drones used for serious filming need to be able
to carry a heavy camera and stay in the air for a while, which can run into thousands of dollars. However, even amateurs can have some fun and create
beautiful footage for as little as $100. If you’re willing to spend a few
hundred more, you can get image quality good enough that you’d have a hard time
telling the difference from more expensive setups.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>5. Make Maps, Deliver
Things, and Other Serious Stuff</b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Most of the applications mentioned above fall partly or
mostly into the recreational category, but drones are used for a whole host of
professional applications as well. You can get drones with GPS capabilities for
mapping, search and rescue, and delivery, as well as a host of other tasks that
are just beginning to be explored. They’re even being used to carry critical
medical supplies to remote locations that would be difficult to reach
otherwise.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The term drone encompasses a vast array of flying robots with
applications limited only by the imaginations of their users. Although they may
seem like they’re from the future, many of the types of drones mentioned above
are available to anyone who wants to buy them. Whether you’re looking to have
fun, need aerial surveillance for your fieldwork or want a way to spray your
crops, there’s a drone type that can get the job done.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>References</b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://www.nasa.gov/langley/ten-engine-electric-plane-completes-successful-flight-test">https://www.nasa.gov/langley/ten-engine-electric-plane-completes-successful-flight-test</a></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://www.heliguy.com/blog/2015/07/29/multirotor-or-fixed-wing/">https://www.heliguy.com/blog/2015/07/29/multirotor-or-fixed-wing/</a></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://news.mit.edu/2017/hybrid-drones-carry-heavier-payloads-greater-distances-0804">http://news.mit.edu/2017/hybrid-drones-carry-heavier-payloads-greater-distances-0804</a></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://www.auav.com.au/articles/drone-types/">https://www.auav.com.au/articles/drone-types/</a></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://www.rotorcopters.com/sub-50-multirotor-drone-mini-reviews/">http://www.rotorcopters.com/sub-50-multirotor-drone-mini-reviews/</a></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://bestdroneforthejob.com/drones-for-fun/racing-drone-buyers-guide-2/">http://bestdroneforthejob.com/drones-for-fun/racing-drone-buyers-guide-2/</a></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://www.techradar.com/news/photography-video-capture/the-best-5-movie-scenes-shot-using-drones-1302565">http://www.techradar.com/news/photography-video-capture/the-best-5-movie-scenes-shot-using-drones-1302565</a></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://www.digitaltrends.com/photography/new-yore-city-drone-film-festival-2016-montage/">https://www.digitaltrends.com/photography/new-yore-city-drone-film-festival-2016-montage/</a></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://www.thedrive.com/aerial/7354/the-8-best-filming-drones-of-2017">http://www.thedrive.com/aerial/7354/the-8-best-filming-drones-of-2017</a></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://www.wired.com/story/zipline-drone-delivery-tanzania/">https://www.wired.com/story/zipline-drone-delivery-tanzania/</a><o:p></o:p></p>The Personal Collectionshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16114937188048558330noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8494644547311771313.post-36101449578456000142021-11-07T04:32:00.004-08:002021-11-07T04:32:25.420-08:00Fly Into the Future With UAVs<p> From remote control planes and drones all the way up to
passenger-plane-sized military or research aircraft, there are many different
types of unmanned aerial vehicles, or UAVs, used for a variety of purposes
today. These vehicles are guided by input from remote controllers or
transmitters, distant pilots or systems relying on satellites to transmit
flight plans, and even pre-programmed functions. The one factor that every UAV
has in common is that it travels through the air without the presence of a
human pilot on board.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjHm3Fu0K3I4nZsImgt1DQFda20zcB1jfdFAWidJiCq6wEPPJC6sOF_PKE7YZSFKMD1AYyH9fd-kR933xT9mQe7HMXuvCISRdyWe1XJrjXy_88dvrsCOBfosiGE7uGm5Eg8euspM9HIZ5o3e3XTd6Zwb9z3O4C3OTGHPbekUmEZMetpPm57CEU-stqS=s2048" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Fly Into the Future With UAVs" border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjHm3Fu0K3I4nZsImgt1DQFda20zcB1jfdFAWidJiCq6wEPPJC6sOF_PKE7YZSFKMD1AYyH9fd-kR933xT9mQe7HMXuvCISRdyWe1XJrjXy_88dvrsCOBfosiGE7uGm5Eg8euspM9HIZ5o3e3XTd6Zwb9z3O4C3OTGHPbekUmEZMetpPm57CEU-stqS=w400-h266" width="400" /></a></div>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">The development of strategic unmanned aircraft dates back to the early
twentieth century, but there are more options up in the air today than ever
before. While model airplane hobbyists have been building and flying RC planes
for decades, the devices commonly called “drones” have recently skyrocketed in
popularity. Consumer drones are revolutionizing expectations for the
capabilities—both in terms of performance and quality—of unmanned flight. The
general consensus among aviation, legal, and technology experts is that all
drones are unmanned vehicles, but not all unmanned vehicles are drones. These
distinctions give rise to a number of considerations regarding the definition
of this increasingly common term.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b>What Is a UAV?</b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">In the most general sense, UAVs are vehicles that fly without a pilot
manning any controls situated within the vehicle. “Drone” has recently become a
popular name for consumer aerial vehicles, but the term originates in military technologies.
From autonomous submarines to passenger-sized planes, there are many types of
drones capable of performing functions that extend far beyond the civilian
pursuits of learning how to manually control the flight of a compact vehicle,
capture still or moving images, or achieve freestyle stunts and racing
victories.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">The increasing popularity of consumer drones in recent years has
sparked debate among aviation, legal, and technology experts over the finer
points of this categorization, particularly as it applies to regulation. The
most accepted distinction falls between remote-controlled crafts that must be
operated manually at all times and devices that are capable of achieving some
level of autonomous flight, even for a limited duration of time or restricted
to a range of certain programmed functions. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b>UAVs Versus Drones</b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">Devices like RC planes or helicopters and drones bound to remote
controller transmitters are unmanned devices, regardless of what—if any—degree
of autonomous flight they can achieve. They share the characteristic of not
being controlled from within by a human pilot. Any internal processing or
inputs are achieved by a flight controller or onboard processor. In general,
the autonomous or pre-programmed modes on these vehicles are designed to aid or
support manual control and make these vehicles easier for a remote human pilot
to fly or harder for them to lose.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">Semi-autonomous modes are often intended to make these vehicles follow
established routes or routines. Some RC aircraft feature a panic mode that can
help the aircraft maintain altitude or achieve stabilization, but this mode is
intended to assist a remote human pilot rather than allow the plane to follow a
path determined through the analysis of telemetry data or even a pre-set path. An
increasing number of drones not only stabilize altitude autonomously but avoid
obstacles by relying on a 3D camera and sensors to observe surroundings and
prevent collisions by either dodging or stopping. Some drones also offer
options to orbit a person or object or return to their launch site. Most of
these functions have to be enabled or programmed, and the onboard processor is
only tasked with executing these flight plans.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b>Recent UAV Developments</b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">Some higher-end drones offer a wide range of autonomous features or
modes. These devices can follow an object or person relying on a combination of
GPS and optical recognition, fly in plotted straight or curved lines, or travel
to waypoints or pre-set locations while adhering to specifications including
speed and altitude. Drones equipped with cameras can be used to capture still
images or motion footage in most of these modes. Other semi-autonomous modes
that are often used for image capture include selfie or orbit modes. The extent
to which any of these modes is fully autonomous is open to debate, but it is
clear that the execution of these flight programs is achieved by the flight
controller located inside of the more technologically advanced consumer drones
available on the market.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">A return to home mode could arguably be more autonomous, particularly
if the onboard flight controller enacts this function upon sensing its own low
battery status. The return path in this mode can be more or less precise
depending on whether the drone travels in headless mode and essentially
executes a flyback command or relies on GPS data to return to a precise launch
point. All of these developments are steps toward vehicles that are not only
unmanned but autonomous, a combination of features that have caused these UAVs
to be referred to as drones.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b>Where To Buy a UAV</b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">Model airplane enthusiasts have built communities around hobby shops
and flying fields for decades. Some of the same hobby shops that stock plane
parts and supplies also carry drones and components for these newer types of
unmanned vehicles. There are many online stores and communities dedicated to
specific types or even brands of aerial vehicles. All of these vendors and
resources make it easier than ever before to compare different vehicles and
determine which type best suits your abilities and interests.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">In many cases, you can buy a drone or even an RC plane in a ready-to-fly
or RTF kit. You may also be able to find kits that require a separate remote
controller or transmitter or other components, allowing for a greater degree of
customization. More experienced hobbyists can build aerial vehicles themselves,
choosing all of the parts, planning the design, and even deciding on the best
options for transmitters and receivers.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">Some remote controllers or transmitters feature different modes to
allow you to use the same controller for more than one vehicle as well as a
number of channels that you can link to different switches or knobs in order to
fine-tune the controls for each craft. There are also a variety of
possibilities for programming drones with proprietary or open-source autopilot
development interfaces or mission planning software, and user communities
growing around these resources.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b>UAV Enthusiasts Unite</b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">If you are interested in learning more about these technological
developments or joining up with a group of hobbyists, there are numerous UAV
communities online and offline clubs. These groups are dedicated to the
development and refinement of flying technologies. It can be useful to have a group
of pilots and builders who can help you resolve problems with a drone, plane,
or another aerial vehicle project. You can also learn a great deal about
different brands and types of UAVs from connecting with these enthusiasts and
benefitting from their collective experience and insights.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">Online forums can be useful when it comes to comparing different
products, seeing builds that work or achieve different goals, reviewing
commentary on failed attempts, and generally learning from the experiences of
other people all over the world. Some forums make it possible to buy vehicles
or parts from other enthusiasts. It is important to carefully assess these
offers. If you are new to flying, you may find it helpful to make purchases
from manufacturers or reputable retailers. As you become more familiar with
these vehicles, you may have a clearer idea of which designs and parts to use
to achieve the desired performance and whether a user online is accurately
representing a model or component.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">In addition to vendors of consumer devices and the creators and users
of development tools, there are many internet communities that discuss and
speculate about the military or other specialized unmanned vehicles. These
conversations usually do not involve classified information but consider the
boundaries of UAV development and the possible uses for these vehicles.
Non-commercial UAVs are often controlled remotely at great distances and can be
used to explore locations that are too dangerous for humans, in rescue missions
or for delivering humanitarian aid to disaster sites, and for other cutting-edge
research or tactical purposes.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b>The Future of UAVs</b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">Many UAV enthusiasts are interested in the possibilities posed by many
different types of flying crafts. Some of the most interesting developments
with these vehicles are taking place in the areas of artificial intelligence
and machine learning. These innovations mirror technologies that are being
implemented on a smaller and less critical scale in consumer aerial vehicles.
These features are often the subject of debate when it comes to conversations
about regulating consumer devices or the ethical implications of using these
types of technologies in warfare.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">The controversy surrounding UAVs stems primarily from the fact that
these types of vehicles are only likely to become more common in the future.
Recent technological developments and innovations in design and programming are
opening the horizon to limitless applications in the civilian, military, and
research sectors. An expanding consumer market and a growing base of builders
and tinkerers indicate that the pace of innovation will only increase.<o:p></o:p></p>The Personal Collectionshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16114937188048558330noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8494644547311771313.post-61443986700339739792021-11-07T04:27:00.001-08:002021-11-07T04:27:06.606-08:00Drones' Pilots Are Getting Jobs, and Here's Why<p> Have you ever considered trying to make some money while
you're having fun flying drones? Pilots of these high-tech devices get to take
to the skies as early as their sixteenth birthday, but people of all ages are
fascinated by the prospect of unmanned flight. These days, they're doing their
flying in some amazing, inspiring, and surprising ways.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEil8_XZGFlVlfiMHKKmuKNKr0b495ThZCM7TtQGRGUWiT83tVCqDdwAmHkFfoiIRZj1n2c3xlTWPxtI1IUraparV3zV3v5uNM8pJ26zEmVPc954xefgpCTpuqphKRZr7c6AKkdS6nqkWbfI-aH8IAFx6wOrENC015_4b8FSDjtBmj_4Vh7sWnwMmx4V=s2048" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Drones' Pilots Are Getting Jobs, and Here's Why" border="0" data-original-height="1445" data-original-width="2048" height="283" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEil8_XZGFlVlfiMHKKmuKNKr0b495ThZCM7TtQGRGUWiT83tVCqDdwAmHkFfoiIRZj1n2c3xlTWPxtI1IUraparV3zV3v5uNM8pJ26zEmVPc954xefgpCTpuqphKRZr7c6AKkdS6nqkWbfI-aH8IAFx6wOrENC015_4b8FSDjtBmj_4Vh7sWnwMmx4V=w400-h283" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Since the tech is so new for civilians, the full capacity of
these versatile machines is mostly unfamiliar territory. That means there's a
lot of exploration going on, but it also means that it's a little difficult to
get a bird's-eye view of the drone situation. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Drones' pilots are often best served by starting with the
basics: What are drones, who is allowed to fly them and how do they work?
Whether you're thinking of taking the FAA test to become a drone pilot, you're
curious about the capacity of the devices or you just want to know if it's
legal for you to operate one, here's some information that can help you out.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>What's a Drone?</b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">It seems like a simple question: "What is a drone?"
However, the issue might not be as clear as it appears at first. Pilots of
these vehicles aren't really what you would traditionally consider a pilot at
all. They're more like operators, guiding the drone from a safe distance. However,
the opportunities and excitement of flight are all still there. There's a
dizzying variety of brands, types and grades of these devices available. For technical
specs and specific data, it's best to consult a retailer, manufacturer or
training center directly, or visit one of those businesses' websites. For
general info, read on.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>The Drone, Generally
Speaking</b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">In the loosest sense of the term, you might classify almost
any unmanned craft by the term, from a trench-exploring submarine to NASA's
Mars rovers. But most drones pilots aren't exploring the depths of the ocean
or flying spacecraft, so it's probably more useful to restrict the definition
to the increasingly familiar helicopter-style remote-controlled devices. The
Federal Aviation Administration calls them unmanned aircraft systems or UAS for
short.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Now that science has caught up with designers' imaginations
with new materials, energy sources, and aeronautics engineering, nearly anyone
can own drones. Pilots come from all walks of life, from kids to college
professors, and they're all doing some interesting things. Here are some of the
ways people are using drones for fun, profit, and community service. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>Photography</b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Some of the most striking examples of great drone use in the
past few years came from a pretty simple concept: attaching a camera to a
flying object. With quite a bit more accessibility, stability, range and
grandeur than possible with older methods, such as hiring helicopters or
tossing a cellphone in the air while recording, drones have quickly become a
favorite of professional and amateur filmmakers alike.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Have you ever wondered what it's like on the inside of a
volcano? While drones' pilots can't quite access the magma chamber yet, there
have been some impressive footage recorded of craters, plumes of spewing ash, and
super-heated lava floes. Too hot for you? Drones have also captured images of
glacial caverns and vast icy expanses in Antarctica. Looking for something a
little closer to home (assuming you don't live in Pompeii)? Even getting an
aerial view of a local sports match wouldn't be beneath these devices,
figuratively speaking.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>Community Service</b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Drones pilots aren't all artists, photographers, or
explorers. Some are focused on more local issues. In fact, community and
government organizations generate many of the opportunities that come from
learning how to operate drones. Politicians, political parties, and campaigns
often hire pilots for drones to create stunning and motivational overhead
images of rallies and speeches.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Police and fire departments use drones to great effect as
well. Law-enforcement organizations with limited staff can monitor multiple
troublesome areas at once through drone images. Fire control and safety centers
can use the technology for routine building inspections, investigations of
emergency calls, and almost nearly instant assessment of fires for appropriate
response sizes. Any or all of these types of government bodies might hire
freelancers or regular staff to operate drones. Pilots for drones might also find
opportunities in other community service capacities.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>More Infrastructure
Opportunities</b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">With increased coastal populations, the need for oversight, preparedness
and high-tech responses to natural disasters has become more and more apparent.
Hurricanes and other tropical storms create havoc on the ground when massive
flooding ensues. The old way of boating around just doesn't work in the context
of contemporary urban population density.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Luckily, we have something to fill in the widening gap
between the efficiency of response techniques and the number of people who need
help. That 'something' is drones. Pilots of unmanned aircraft truly make a
difference in dire situations like major floods or disasters. These FAA-approved
technicians work with first responders to methodically seek out people in need
and inform response teams of rescue locations.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>Entertainment</b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">People sometimes rent out drones to explore the skies, but
this requires professional instruction. Driving a drone without learning the
basics first is a recipe for disaster. That's why many rental outlets also
double as flying schools. People go to these licensed businesses to purchase or
rent a piece of equipment, but also to learn more about the proper use and
capabilities of drones in general. Whether it's to get an even higher view
while mountain climbing, scout fishing opportunities or explore an urban park
from the air, people want to get the most out of their free time. To do this,
they need to know how to have fun safely with their tech. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>Learning To Fly</b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">With all these cool and helpful applications of drones,
pilots should have been flying them since their invention. However, that's not
the case. The reason why is pretty simple: FAA guidelines. The FAA only issued
rules for civilian drone use in 2016, and only under the following conditions:</p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>The pilot is at least 16 years old.</li><li>A written test about the rules and basic drone operation is passed.</li><li>The drone in question weighs less than 55 pounds.</li><li>Flight speeds can't exceed 100 miles per hour.</li><li>The drone has to be registered.</li><li>The drone must stay within the visual range at all times.</li><li>Only daytime operation is permitted.</li><li>Pilots are expected to report drone-related injuries (similar to driving a car).</li></ul><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Speaking of that last point, most of the rules and
regulations discussed in drones' pilots' tests are pretty familiar to anyone
who's ever obtained a driver's license or taken a driver's ed class. You even
have to take the exam at an approved testing center, similar to visiting the
DMV. It's easy to find an updated list of these locations if you check out the
FAA website. There are also some good resources offered through schools,
retailers, and training centers if you feel like something a little more straightforward
than your typical government website. In fact, you might even get two tasks
done at once: Some training centers double as approved testing sites.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>A Gateway to the Sky</b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">It's overgeneralizing a little to say that a drone's pilot's
license is like a car's driver's license. Pilots for drones need more specific
knowledge, but that's a good thing in a way. Establishing the context necessary
to understand the terms in the drone flight requirements (and therefore pass
your test) puts you one step closer to aviation expertise. That's valuable if
you have ambitions beyond unmanned flight. If you're a young flier, having
experience with the rules and terminology of the FAA puts you ahead of the
competition when it comes time to apply yourself to your long-term goals, such
as military service, piloting aircraft, or even space travel.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>Drones by the Numbers</b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">If you're wondering whether you can make money from
operating drones, pilots all over the country have already answered that
question for you. While the competition for many current positions is tight, there
are definite benefits to securing a place in what looks to be a booming
industry. Getting a position flying a drone or establishing your own organization
could get you in on the ground floor of something truly exciting.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">To give you an idea of the potential of this business, here
are some figures you can really sink your teeth into. PricewaterhouseCoopers,
one of the largest professional firms in the world, projects huge growth in the
unmanned aviation industry. They estimate the value of the emerging global
market for drones at $127 billion — that's a lot of opportunities for those drones'
pilots. They split it up even further into some interesting and surprising
industry sectors:</p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Mining: $4.4 billion</li><li>Entertainment: $8.8 billion</li><li>Insurance: $6.8 billion</li><li>Agriculture: $32.4 billion</li><li>Transport: $13 billion</li><li>Infrastructure: $45.2 billion</li></ul><p></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Most people are talking about transportation and delivery
when it comes to drones. However, the numbers from this international analysis
firm seem to suggest that there's a lot more opportunity in farming.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">With new technology being developed every day, drones are at
the cutting edge of many industries. Drone pilots can find employment in
anything from taking high-altitude photographs to helping out during natural
disasters, and likely many more places as the field continue to advance.<o:p></o:p></p>The Personal Collectionshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16114937188048558330noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8494644547311771313.post-25072436420919009592021-11-07T04:17:00.003-08:002021-11-07T04:17:43.601-08:00Game of Drones—Getting Started in the Amazing Sport of Drone Racing <p> <span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">They fill the air with the hiss of cicadas on steroids and navigate
obstacles at speeds as high as 80 miles per hour. Drone racing is a fast, fun, and
competitive new sport. If this recreational phenomenon has not been on your
radar, it will likely be in the near future. Racing quadcopters packs the
thrill of a white-knuckle challenge minus the danger of life-threatening
injuries. </span><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"> </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhHWuQ9xIw1zEroaXdpKukBcsSiF90v2ihorVvvii9aZj4MfpiBbDgGvMi69oGCXH-whsQT_T-8SO1lUpG7UP6HXpmpxawHtGKQnnMz3pG_gSIo1XOst0WZVTuhaQeXb9Op1bjj0-8QgZ9301ShgoVZlo-lK3_3MyZb2ES98XQVUxmxhaM9c9f2rB4W=s1999" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Game of Drones—Getting Started in the Amazing Sport of Drone Racing" border="0" data-original-height="1405" data-original-width="1999" height="281" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhHWuQ9xIw1zEroaXdpKukBcsSiF90v2ihorVvvii9aZj4MfpiBbDgGvMi69oGCXH-whsQT_T-8SO1lUpG7UP6HXpmpxawHtGKQnnMz3pG_gSIo1XOst0WZVTuhaQeXb9Op1bjj0-8QgZ9301ShgoVZlo-lK3_3MyZb2ES98XQVUxmxhaM9c9f2rB4W=w400-h281" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">The Buzz
About Drones<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"> </span><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Multirotor drones, or quadcopters, are the more agile, stable, and
easier to fly offspring of radio-controlled aircraft. Starting in about 2013,
technology advanced to allow drones to be built smaller and more maneuverable. The first-person view puts you in the cockpit by pairing a video camera and
transmitter mounted on the aircraft with a receiver and goggles for the pilot.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">If the camera drone is the tortoise, the racing drone is the hare.
Camera drones are made to fly low and slow, allowing them to take photographs and
videos of scenes that were previously almost impossible to capture. Sensors
stabilize the flight and keep the plane balanced to allow for good visuals.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Drone racing began in Australia in 2014. Racing drones are
typically customized machines built to be fast enough to beat the competition
around a challenging obstacle course. Because they need to be agile, racing
machines do not have the same balancing mechanisms as camera drones. They fly
in rate mode, which gives them the speed and maneuverability for acrobatic
moves but also makes them harder to control and operate. Racing events are held
in cities across the United States and around the world.</span><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Getting Into
the Game</span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">The thoroughbred quadcopters that win races don’t typically come
out of a box. Part of the thrill of being a drone pilot is learning how to
tweak and modify your machine to get it to fly better and faster. Mastering all
the facts, figures, and skills to modify a drone could keep any techno-nerd happily
engaged for a long time.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Those who are new to flying probably will not want to jump in at
the executive level. Learning to operate your drone may take some time, and
crashes are part of the game. It’s best to start out small with a less
expensive machine. After you’ve gained experience, talked with other pilots, and
done your research, you should have a better idea of exactly what type of quadcopter
you want to fly.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Starting
Simple</span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">An easy introduction for beginners and the quickest way to
jump-start your drone racing hobby is to purchase a kit that comes with almost everything
you will need. There are several models available. Beginner packages range in
price from about $70 to $250, and intermediate brands start from about $350 and
go up to about $500. A top-of-the-line racer can cost as much as $900. You can
either buy a model that is ready to fly or you can purchase a kit that you will
need to assemble. Some kits come with first-person view goggles. Others do not.
The goggles are key to an exciting experience, so it’s probably a good idea to
purchase quality. These are the basic components of a racing quad:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-left: 74.5pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">The frame, made from a material such as
carbon fiber and serves as a platform for the other parts<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 74.5pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Propellers (4, you’ll probably need more)<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 74.5pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Motors (4)<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 74.5pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Electronic speed controllers (4)<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 74.5pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Batteries, lithium-polymer (buy spares)<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 74.5pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Battery straps<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 74.5pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Video transmitter and receiver<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 74.5pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Antennas<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 74.5pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Radio transmitter<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 74.5pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Board camera for first-person view<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin-left: 74.5pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">First-person view goggles<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Picking a
Flight Path</span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Meet-Up Groups</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Once you’ve purchased your racing drone, you’ll need to decide
whether you want to fly in a casual environment or whether you’re looking to,
eventually, join a league. There are meet-up groups and informal gatherings
across the country. You can find them by looking at the many online resources. This
is a great way to get to know others who share your interest and learn from
their expertise. Meet-up groups generally don’t place restrictions on the type
of aircraft or equipment that you need to join. Flying either indoors or
outside is an option. If there isn’t a group in your area, you might decide to
form one of your own. Online forums and communities are also great ways to
connect. Getting to know other enthusiasts is an essential aspect of becoming
involved in this sport.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Leagues</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Leagues are a more formalized option. The leagues have specific rules
and regulations about equipment and races. Flying is done indoors to avoid
issues with the weather and ensure that aircraft operate on a level playing
field.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Leagues are forming across the country. One of the most prominent
is the Drone Racing League, which categorizes itself as both a sporting and
media company. You can watch its races on ESPN. The second season began in June
2017. About 28 million viewers watched season one, and the winner walked away
with a $100,000 contract. Pilots in the DRL must be top-flight; only 16 were
accepted for the 2017 season.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">If your skills aren’t ready for prime time, no worries—you can
still compete. There are many small leagues and events that welcome amateurs. If
you decide to join a league, make sure that your aircraft and equipment meet
the group’s specifications.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Understanding
the Races</span></b><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Drone races rarely last longer than five minutes, and they offer
lots of options for competitive spirit and skill-building. These events are a
few of the ways you can give your drone racer a workout.</span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-left: 74.5pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Rotocross pits two or more racers against
each other to see who reaches the finish line first.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 74.5pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Drag racing challenges racers to see who can
accelerate the fastest over a distance of approximately 100 yards.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin-left: 74.5pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Time trials are solo races to see which drone
completes the course in the fastest time.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Making the
Winner’s Circle</span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">If you’re knee-deep in drone racing culture and ready to build
your own racer, what does it take to make a winner?</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Honing Your Flight Skills</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Winning starts with you. You should master the flying skills to be
a terrific pilot. That means practicing flight patterns and navigating
obstacles. Reflexes, hand-eye coordination and spatial awareness are other
qualities that you can hone to help you become a better flyer. Video gaming draws
on all these techniques and is a fun way to become more adept in the physical
abilities needed to be a winning racer.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Learning from the professionals can save you time and trial and
error. In-person training is available in locations across the United States.
You can even get certified as an unmanned vehicle pilot.</span><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Whether you are a newbie or you can’t get outside, purchasing or
downloading simulator software is an effective way to train for drone racing. Simulators
allow you to practice your technique without the worry or embarrassment of
crashing an expensive machine. Your practice routine can’t be interrupted by
bad weather. Remember, the simulator should be an adjunct to training, not a
crutch. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">There is no shame in starting with a beginner model like a micro
or nano quad. In fact, that’s the smart thing to do. Nano drones are small
enough to fit in your palm. Minis are slightly larger. These small copters fly
well indoors, but will probably be difficult to handle outside, particularly in
the wind. Nano and mini models also come with features that make them easier to
fly. As you gain skills, those functions can be disabled. You can learn the
basic maneuvers such as hovering and landing as well as controlling pitch and
yaw (aviation terms that refer to the plane’s rotation around an axis)
successfully on a nano or mini drone.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Learn the Mechanics</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">As mentioned earlier, the mechanics are as much a part of drone
racing as piloting. When you understand how a quadcopter works, you can be
better prepared to turn yours into a strong competitor. Assembling a kit on
your own is a good way to begin. As you gain experience, you become knowledgeable
enough to select the separate components that create a vehicle that meets your
flight specifications. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">You might think that speed is the primary ingredient for a winning
quadcopter, and of course, it’s important. Racers can achieve speeds of about
80 miles per hour, but maneuverability, which includes response time, stability, and lift power, is really what puts your aircraft at the front of the pack. The
flight control software, motors, ESCs, and props are parts that impact
maneuverability, so learn as much as you can about these components and seek
out the highest quality for a winning craft. A high-end FPV system not only
puts you at the center of the action but also allows for better control of your
vehicle.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">As in most sports, a theoretical understanding of what makes your
equipment work can increase your proficiency and enjoyment. In other words, the
more you understand why your drone can fly, the better racer you can be. It’s
always exciting to be in on the ground floor of a breakthrough movement. Drone
racing is a wave that is about to crest. Get on board now and enjoy the ride
into an unlimited future.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"> </span></p>The Personal Collectionshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16114937188048558330noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8494644547311771313.post-6635635132971104242021-11-07T04:13:00.001-08:002021-11-07T04:13:04.887-08:00Flying High Above the Rest: Exciting Innovations in the Drone Community<p> The use of drones is up there with some of the most exciting
technological advances of our time. It’s no wonder that drone communities made
up of numerous enthusiasts for these small flying robots are springing up all
over the place. The popularity of UAVs, or unmanned aerial vehicles, is
creating quite a stir in both the amateur community using the devices as a
pastime and many pre-existing and startup companies looking for new ways to
reach out to the world. Here are some of the most exciting and innovative ways
drones have been recently making the news.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEigr2duAW7J8W7stBOv1oNRY2SpWuEYSddnCoRpgADhXgC4KFIlPBBi1e2-wmnQTVxFcS5UbUNU39ZK7wBzFXyoBFiLJihPRhXuCBfjfOwUwI4owffpIa0tHd3nW4BK8qkqnJd0F6quD4t4Pw8IM-3d2rX9TuJT21bsV4yE4RxJTO269G5ymEuCHEcX=s2048" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Flying High Above the Rest: Exciting Innovations in the Drone Community" border="0" data-original-height="1356" data-original-width="2048" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEigr2duAW7J8W7stBOv1oNRY2SpWuEYSddnCoRpgADhXgC4KFIlPBBi1e2-wmnQTVxFcS5UbUNU39ZK7wBzFXyoBFiLJihPRhXuCBfjfOwUwI4owffpIa0tHd3nW4BK8qkqnJd0F6quD4t4Pw8IM-3d2rX9TuJT21bsV4yE4RxJTO269G5ymEuCHEcX=w400-h265" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td></tr></tbody></table>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>Using Drones To
Improve the World</b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">There are many new applications for drone usage in the
modern world, but among some of the most admirable ideas for UAVs, innovation is the answer to recent concerns the world over. Already, many countries and
businesses are enlisting in the assistance of drones for catching problems
sooner and providing repairs and solutions more easily.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Countries like Belgium have already started using the
technology for monitoring crops and are in the process of developing cameras
with higher resolution to make the process more accurate. Eneco, a Dutch energy
provider, is using drone technology to find malfunctions in their solar panels.
Tihange Nuclear Power Station in Belgium is using the first certified drone
pilot in the country to get high-resolution shots that would have been
impossible or near that to examine otherwise.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Flanders, the northern region in Belgium, is quite prone to
flooding and requires an accurate and detailed mapping of flood-sensitive areas
for multiple humanitarian reasons, not the least of which is to map out
emergency relief plans. Now, the Flemish Environmental Society (VMM) is in
talks with businesses involved in the drone community to find UAVs that can get
closer to the damage for more detailed information than the helicopters used
previously. Plans have not been solidified yet, but the VMM has already
outsourced a government contract with applicable companies.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Many African countries have been recently accepting
assistance from businesses either focused on or dabbling in drones to better
deliver essential services and supplies. Tanzania has recently joined the
trend, working with the American company Zipline to initiate a drone delivery
service for emergency medical supplies. The same company had already been
working with transfusion clinics in Rwanda as early as October 2016.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Ever thought about drones planting trees? Scientists at
Bio-Carbon Engineering have. The U.K.-based company has been working on drones
that can find the most advantageous locations for growing new forests, as well
as doing the job of planting those trees. What sets plans involving drones
apart from prior environmental reforestation efforts are that the drones can
plant trees in areas that were difficult to access or even unreachable before.
Now jagged cliffs and steep hills are not off-limits in our efforts to give
back to the world.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>Drone Deliveries</b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Probably the largest growing industry for drones currently
is in the business of making delivery faster and, eventually, more affordable.
Many tech companies are participating in the race for advancing the world of
package distribution by drones, but even younger engineers without established
careers are starting to get in on the action. One aviation student from Vives
University in Ostend, Belgium, Yordi Verbeeren, plans to set the world record
for distance in delivering a package. The young man will be using his own DT18,
developed in France and Belgium, to carry the package approximately 70
kilometers in September 2017.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Another huge milestone for drone communities involved in
delivering goods and services is from the Israeli autonomous drone company
Flytrex. The Tel Aviv-based company has just started operations in Reykjavik,
Iceland, where it is able to deliver packages for the online marketplace Aha to
predetermined landing pads where they can be delivered to customers quickly and
more easily. The company is currently trying to work with the government there
for approval to eventually deliver packages straight to the customers’ houses. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">China’s largest online marketplace, JD, is currently
perfecting its own delivery drones that are now capable of carrying packages
weighing up to one ton. The company has recently set up shop in the Shaanxi
province for their drone delivery base, a perfect central location for
transport across China. This literally huge achievement has already been
awarded about five kilometers of airspace for testing out the new technology,
which has got to be making companies like Amazon sweat a little bit.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Speaking of the tech giant, Amazon is currently working on
patents for stations to keep drones charged, well-maintained and available for
speedy delivery. The company has already made its first delivery by drone in
December 2016 in the U.K. Amazon faces several challenges to their big plans
for drone usage in the U.S. currently, but that doesn’t seem to be holding back
their innovations too much. Apparently, they are playing around with the idea
of drone stations on methods of transport, such as boats, trains, and vans.
Additionally, the company has filed a patent on massive drone “hives” for big
city centers, with a similar grand scheme in mind.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>The Latest News</b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Many technological advances in the drone community are still
in the beginning stages but are no less exciting. Companies like Airobot are
focused not on the designs of the drones themselves, but on making the ones
already in production more accurate. Other engineers not tied to any company,
such as the researchers and graduate students at many of the top universities,
are looking for new ways to approach the design and function of the drones
being produced currently.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">MIT has been involved in making some great headway in drone
technology recently. Engineers in the Computer Science and Artificial
Intelligence Lab were involved in creating UAVs capable of both drive and
flight earlier this summer. The researchers claim they were motivated by the
idea that birds and bugs can easily move around both in the air and on the
ground. No grand visions of James Bond-style upgrades have been mentioned yet.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Another impressive contribution to drone research by the
prestigious tech university comes in a very small form. Researchers at MIT are
designing a computer chip “brain” for drones that will be smaller than any that
have been developed yet. The smaller chip should not only allow for the construction
of even tinier UAVs but also use less energy, helping with a common problem
for distance-traveling drones.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Not to be outdone, a biomechanical ecologist at Harvard,
Stacey Combs, recently teamed up with former colleagues to research the
movement of bumblebees to further drone technology. The team discovered
flexible joints in the wings of the bees that had not been studied prior, which
allow the insects to run into objects without crumpling their wings. The
application of these studies with drone wings sheds light on a common issue
with drones and a possible solution for making the technology more durable.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Engineers at Facebook Inc. have been working for a while now
on solar-powered drones that would provide internet access to more areas around
the world and make connectivity better. The full plans require that the UAVs
can stay in flight for months at a time. The company is currently claiming two
successful test runs thus far, one that stayed in flight for an hour and 36
minutes in 2016, and the more recent test this year that stayed in flight for
10 minutes longer.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>How To Get Involved
in Drone Communities</b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">With so much exciting news going on in the world of drones,
you may be wondering how you can become a part of the action. Not everyone is
going to have the expertise required to fit into one of the innovative
companies spearheading new technology and uses for drones, but never fear.
There are multiple drone communities you can join to get all the latest
information and advice, and many of them are completely free.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The Drone Pilots Network connects some of the most eclectic
groups of die-hard drone fans through an informative and forum-style layout.
This community includes several subgroups, such as PhantomPilots,
DroneRacingPilots, and GoProPilots. Wherever you fit in the drone community,
they’ve got a place for you, and plenty of experts and newbies alike contribute
to “the world’s largest community of Drone Enthusiasts.” Another place to check
out is <a href="http://www.knowbeforeyoufly.org/"><span style="color: #0563c1;">www.knowbeforeyoufly.org</span></a>,
which offers a whole host of the important information you need if you’re new to
the world of drones, or even if you just need a refresher course. Some
information on their website is exclusive to the U.S., but they present many
resources with vital information regardless of your citizenship.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">A website set up by the non-profit organization EUKA, <a href="http://www.dronecommunity.biz/"><span style="color: #0563c1;">www.dronecommunity.biz</span></a>,
promises a plethora of information on all the latest updates and innovations in
drone research and technology. Not much of a forum site, the company is focused
on bringing in enthusiasm for the droning industry in efforts to further
advances in Europe. For those outsides of Europe, the website offers a
subscription to their informative newsletter and is looking for more drone
enthusiasts interested in joining their blogging or vlogging teams.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">New features for drones are being developed every day.
Hobbyists and professionals alike can find a growing number of communities to
explore all the new technologies that constantly arise in this innovative
field.<o:p></o:p></p>The Personal Collectionshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16114937188048558330noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8494644547311771313.post-78484526627764790602021-11-07T03:54:00.003-08:002021-11-07T03:54:18.362-08:005 Ways Drones Are Changing the Landscape of the Future<p> <span style="font-size: 11pt;">You may have seen the drones flying around Lady Gaga during her 2017 Super Bowl halftime performance, or you may have heard about Amazon using them to deliver packages on the same day that they are ordered. However, you may not fully understand what they are or how they might affect your future. In essence, a drone is an unmanned aerial vehicle. Despite popular belief, a UAV does not have to be small, like a remote plane; rather, it can be any size. Think of blimps and robot planes, each of which can be controlled via remote or autonomously.</span></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgstntZ6aktbm14lVukRAb-TCFEH7sLgOkCuctR84cif79iXLODMgTqGZvQMuOORuQ_EBMCFDgxzgfs2hnm1ViNvxipx7GhxsH81y5LoqUMS0KK_LJxxeLQ8Ckxo4QB8G8XRADa6pE_EoRj3M4aGf-SOfYKH_uZlXVwRkPYTR-_kM5rvkuzqKji9LM6=s2048" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Commercial Lidar Drone" border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgstntZ6aktbm14lVukRAb-TCFEH7sLgOkCuctR84cif79iXLODMgTqGZvQMuOORuQ_EBMCFDgxzgfs2hnm1ViNvxipx7GhxsH81y5LoqUMS0KK_LJxxeLQ8Ckxo4QB8G8XRADa6pE_EoRj3M4aGf-SOfYKH_uZlXVwRkPYTR-_kM5rvkuzqKji9LM6=w640-h426" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Though unmanned aerial vehicles are just recently gaining attention, UAVs are nothing new — at least, not the concept of them. If you have ever been in a hobby shop, visited a park on a beautiful sunny day, or had an uncle who was into building model planes or helicopters, then you’ve likely seen an unmanned aircraft in action. The reason they’re gaining so much attention now, however, is because of the many ways in which they are changing the world.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">It’s hard to escape all the conversation surrounding UAVs today. Whether you get your news from CNN or Facebook, you’ve likely heard about UAVs being used for everything from weapons of war to same-day delivery. If you’ve delved a little deeper, you might even be worried about how this technology could violate your privacy or be interested in how it can be used to prevent acts of terrorism from occurring at major events.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">While none of that information is necessarily wrong, it is only the beginning of the very big and very real impact this technology is having on our world. Below are just five ways that UAV technology is being used to change life as we know it:</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">1. Philanthropic Efforts</span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">According to the </span><a href="http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=50230"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">United Nations</span></a><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">, over 5 billion people in the world lack the essential medicines they need to live long, healthy and prosperous lives. This is in large part due to many people of the world continuing to live in rural and hard-to-reach places.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">One California drone maker, Zipline, aims to change that. Zipline recently teamed up with the Rwandan government to deliver medicine to parts of the country that are difficult to reach by land or large aircraft. Now based in central Rwanda, the company flies its aircraft within a 50-mile radius to help those in need. In addition to bringing much-needed medicines to people of the world who would otherwise have no access to it, Zipline has shown the industry that drones can be used for more than recording ball games, dropping bombs or highlighting pop-stars — they can be used for good and to change the fate of people less fortunate. Organizations such as Doctors Without Borders and UNICEF have teamed up with governments of other impoverished nations such as Malawi and Madagascar to provide the same type of services for citizens in need. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">2. Insurance</span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">As one of the greatest and most recent natural disasters in the nation’s history, Hurricane Harvey is a relevant example of how the technology can be used for insurance purposes. The hurricane is expected to cost insurance agencies and the city of Houston billions of dollars in damages. To gain a thorough assessment of the damage, insurers plan to deploy UAVs. Both </span><a href="http://fortune.com/2017/08/30/hurricane-harvey-drones-insurance/"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Allstate and Farmer’s Insurance</span></a><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"> have prepared their aerial vehicles to do the incredible — assess billions of dollars worth of damage without actually setting foot in the disaster zone. Though a huge undertaking, drone technology is so advanced that unmanned aircraft are expected to be able to complete the task without fail and in a much safer and more efficient manner than any other human intel could.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Harvey is not the first time UAVs have been used for insurance inspections. Though most insurance agencies are still experimenting with the technology, the bigger players like Allstate and Farmer’s have put their vehicles to the test before, such as when severe storms ravaged the roofs of homes in New York this past April. According to </span><a href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/personalfinance/2017/06/08/meet-your-new-insurance-claims-inspector-drone/102560614/"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">USA Today</span></a><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">, these larger insurance agencies have previously used the technology to investigate claims associated with weather damage. Not only is it more efficient, but it also negates the use of the ladders and prevents injury to agency employees.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">3. Extreme Weather Forecasting</span></b><b><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">It is estimated that approximately 1,000 tornados occur in the U.S. each year. While many of these tornados go undetected, the larger F3s, F4s, and F5s wreak havoc that is hard to ignore and that costs local and federal governments billions of dollars each year. Hurricanes are less common, but as Hurricane Harvey has recently proved, they can be just as deadly and just as costly as several tornados combined. Though we can roughly estimate how many tornados and hurricanes to expect in any given year based on previous weather patterns, it is difficult to forecast, and therefore plan for, these natural disasters. Drones are expected to help with that.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">UAV makers have the common goal of making their technology meteorologist-friendly. While the technology is not yet fully there, developers hope to soon release fixed-wing crafts that can be sent into the atmosphere to measure air pressure, temperature, humidity, and wind direction. They hope that by catching changes in these conditions as they occur, they can accurately gauge how a storm might move and what type of damage it can be expected to cause. This will allow cities and states to better prepare for storms and to evacuate in a timelier manner.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">4. Photos and Videos</span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">From football games to marathons, from growing storms to renowned landmarks, there are bird’s-eye perspectives of countless events and places that we, as humans, could never be privy to, at least not without setting foot in a plane or helicopter. But with drones, that is all about to change. UAV technology is being used to capture images from above, creating one-of-a-kind panoramas that are changing the way photographers and videographers alike approach their art. Movies such as <i>The Wolf on Wall Street</i>, <i>The Expendables 3 </i>and <i>Captain America: Civil War </i>used aerial footage to enhance the films’ effects. CNN used the technology to report on the earthquakes in Ecuador and Italy, and real estate agents use aerial photography to really sell a home to prospective buyers.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">That is not all, though. Drone technology today can be programmed to follow its “owners.” Now, surfers, kayakers, paddleboarders, and other extreme sports enthusiasts everywhere are using UAVs to capture epic moments on film that will impress their followers and sponsors alike.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">5. Wildlife Conservation Efforts</span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Until recently, it was difficult for conservationists to gauge what kind of impact humans have on hard-to-reach places such as the middle of the ocean or rainforest. Moreover, it was hard to see just how much of Earth’s wildlife has been negatively (or positively) impacted by our presence on this planet. Drones, however, are changing that.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">In recent years, the </span><a href="http://www.whoi.edu/oceanus/feature/whales-and-drones"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution</span></a><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"> in Massachusetts has used UAV technology to track the migration patterns and monitor the health of humpback whales off the coast of Cape Cod. The U.S. Geological Survey employed similar technology to observe sandhill cranes in Colorado. And most notably, UAVs have been deployed in </span><a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/air-shepherd-uses-drones-stop-elephant-rhino-poachers-africa-n335801"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Africa</span></a><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">, where they are being used to track poachers and put an end to the illegal activity of hunting endangered wildlife such as rhinos and elephants. Sadly, the tusks and horns of these majestic creatures go for thousands of dollars on the black market, and previous conservation efforts have been virtually useless. However, with UAVs, local law enforcement agencies can be ready to catch criminals in the act before any harm is done.</span><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Poachers are extremely dangerous, which is why the “sport” has prevailed for so long. Park rangers were hesitant to head out into the brush at night for fear of being attacked and possibly even killed by these dangerous bandits. With drone technology, they no longer have to worry about this though, as the technology acts as their eyes and ears. The vehicles are programmed to patrol a certain area, collect data and predict poacher movement. This is done by watching the animals’ movements, tracking water sources, and observing weather patterns, each of which can help rangers and the local governments predict where and when the poachers are going to be before the criminals even make a move.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">UAV Technology Is the Way of the Future</span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Although there are some understandable concerns about how UAVs might be deployed, it’s important to note all the good that can come from drone use. UAV technology, like any other technological advancement, has the potential to be destructive. However, with clear guidelines set forth by the federal government and set safety regulations, drones have the very real potential of changing the future for the better. From aiding in humanitarian efforts to assisting in insurance claims, predicting major storms, advancing the visual arts, and helping with wildlife conservation efforts, it’s safe to say that this technology is on the path of doing far more good than harm.</span></p>The Personal Collectionshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16114937188048558330noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8494644547311771313.post-2554594169499408182021-11-07T03:50:00.006-08:002021-11-07T03:51:30.099-08:00Cool Ways To Utilize Drones for Commercial Use<p> You have probably read a recent news story discussing how a big company is taking advantage of a commercial drone. Drones for commercial use is a concept that is growing rapidly. The technology for drones continues to increase while the overall costs decrease, making them ideal for a variety of industries. Learning more about the uses can help businesses to determine if drones are ideal for them.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgEsqSWVzuTPXT89tGEZ_fVKdXGCUzMhmX6kAnS9ABcHDvb1d2CK1kn4OcgaCXnhEMfARovT-gj6t73RGVLuxw1YCaGCK2vQ_7CVKXFiB_Mei2GlV3ucn2qu1XZsiGTbBaan6sJrRnJ26qTkstufouNXb3I3k_MGVviCjrDNTsNf3CVL0F1X1tbt6me=s2048" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Commercial Drones" border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgEsqSWVzuTPXT89tGEZ_fVKdXGCUzMhmX6kAnS9ABcHDvb1d2CK1kn4OcgaCXnhEMfARovT-gj6t73RGVLuxw1YCaGCK2vQ_7CVKXFiB_Mei2GlV3ucn2qu1XZsiGTbBaan6sJrRnJ26qTkstufouNXb3I3k_MGVviCjrDNTsNf3CVL0F1X1tbt6me=w640-h426" width="640" /></a></div><p><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><b>Aerial Videography and Photography</b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Getting the perfect view for videos and photos is no easy task, but it is simpler with a drone. The people taking the video or photo have full control over the drone, ensuring that they get the exact shot they are looking for. This is obviously ideal for industries such as photography and cinematography. However, other businesses are also taking advantage of the technology to get the perfect shot, including real estate companies and marketing businesses. With a drone, it is easier to get shots of a location from a variety of angles, including above, techniques that are difficult with other means of videography and photography.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><b>Mapping and Surveying</b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Drones are being used for photogrammetry, geophysical mapping, GIS mapping, cartography, and surveying. The uses in these areas continue to expand as the technology grows. When it comes to land surveying, drones make the process faster than current technology. For example, with a drone, the time needed to survey 12 acres is cut down to approximately <a href="http://www.popsci.com/rise-drone-mapper#page-3"><span style="color: #0563c1;">two hours from about 100 hours</span></a> with older technologies. Drone usage also allows for more accurate modeling and is a cost-effective option.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Drones also happen to be an eco-friendly solution for mapping and surveying. Traditional methods for geophysical mapping, for example, typically involve drilling and sampling, both of which can be disruptive to those living where the mapping is occurring. Commercial drones are considerably less invasive while allowing professionals to accurately collect and organize the proper data.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><b>Performing Inspections</b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">A number of industries need to perform regular inspections on their sites to ensure they are in good condition and to discover problems that might occur right away. For example, oil companies need to frequently assess and inspect for problems with pipelines in areas that are often remote. The same is true for wind engineers who need to keep an eye on their turbine props and wind turbines. A drone is capable of capturing high-definition video of such equipment. This means that it can easily spot the smallest issues while being much safer for people, who do not have to go into dangerous areas to perform the inspections.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Another use of drones for inspection is with bridges and similar infrastructure. The video filmed by drones can show every support, crevice, joint, and crack that might be present. In fact, this is considered to be more thorough than a human engineer could be. Such inspections help to make bridges and infrastructure safer since problems can be spotted faster and easier.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><b>Farming and Agriculture</b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">When running a farm, farmers need to constantly assess their crops to determine if they are viable or in need of intervention. Commercial drones can help farmworkers determine the hydration level of the crops by allowing them to assess the soil’s water content. They are also beneficial for finding irritation issues, drainage problems, and the rate of growth for their crops.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">There are a number of pests that can wreak havoc on crops that farmers always need to be on the lookout for, and drones can help. They can provide high-definition video and photos of crops that allow farmers to see if any of these issues are present. This technology can also be used to <a href="http://www.businessnewsdaily.com/9276-commercial-drones-business-uses.html"><span style="color: #0563c1;">apply pesticides to a specific area</span></a> where pests might be present so that the entire crop does not get a dose if it does not need it.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">One additional use in this field is livestock monitoring. When animals are out to pasture, it is important that they are monitored and kept together. Farmers can save time and energy by using a drone for this purpose instead of going out on their own and trying to manage the job.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><b>Special Events and Entertainment</b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">If you are planning a special event and want to ensure that it is adequately covered, a drone could be helpful for you. For example, this technology can be used to get detailed and clear videos of sporting events or concerts. You might also consider it for a special event, such as your wedding. A drone is able to capture footage that no wedding videographer is capable of, since humans are unable to fly. You will get aerial shots that can accompany those taken on the ground for a complete view of the day’s events.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><b>Security and Weather Monitoring</b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Keeping people safe is important, and commercial drones can be useful for this purpose. This technology is commonly used on the border of Mexico and the United States. Drones have also been utilized to track fugitives and other criminals, leading to their apprehension.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">For security, these devices can be flown to keep an eye on large crowds of people, such as at public gatherings, schools, and college campuses. Law enforcement and property administrators can watch the feed and quickly see when someone or something needs to be addressed. The technology can also be used as a form of general surveillance for companies, allowing for more complete visuals that are not possible for human security guards to accomplish on their own.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Those who track and monitor weather may consider using drones to look at areas of severe events. This means people do not have to put themselves into dangerous situations to get real-time photos and videos. For example, if there is an area of significant flooding, it is not safe for people to go and capture footage, but a drone can be flown in from a safe distance to get a look at the situation.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Search and rescue can also be aided by commercial drones. For example, if an area is ravaged by a flood, fire or natural disaster, it is often unsafe for humans to check it out on foot. However, it is critical to get in there and find survivors as soon as possible. Technology designed for observing heat signatures can be combined with drones, making it easier to find people and animals that need to be rescued. The GPS information that the drone can provide can tell rescuers exactly where they need to go to find the person in need of rescue.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><b>Retail and Shopping</b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">More and more retail giants are starting to look into using drones to deliver packages. This allows customers to get their items faster, and the packages can be placed in the driveway or near the front door, just like a human delivery person would do. The drones do have a weight limit, with the average being about 55 pounds, but this is well above the weight for millions of items, meaning that people could get most of their small and medium-sized packages brought to them via drone.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">On December 7, 2016, <a href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/tech/news/2016/12/14/amazon-delivered-its-first-customer-package-drone/95401366/"><span style="color: #0563c1;">Amazon used a drone</span></a> for the first time to deliver a package. For now, the customers would need to live close to the company or one of their warehouse facilities. With Amazon, the two-customer trial included two people who were close to a testing facility, and the drone delivery they promise would take about 30 minutes after ordering.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><b>Insurance Claims</b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">After a car accident, once you get medical attention, the next step is filing the insurance claim. Insurance companies can be particular, and they want all of the details to make the right decision concerning who is at fault. Drones can be beneficial for accurately surveying the scene of an accident and then delivering this data to the insurance company. They can take both video and photos from near-ground and aerial views, allowing for a comprehensive look at the scene. This could also be ideal for home insurance claims. As an added benefit, the drone would be able to assess damage and accident scenes safely, and insurance inspectors would not have to go into a potentially dangerous situation to get the required information. </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><b>Research and Science</b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Scientific research projects rely on a constant stream of data to analyze and test hypotheses. Drones can make information gathering not only easier but also safer for scientists. For example, drones can be flown to analyze volcanic eruptions, explore plant species in dangerous and remote areas, check out archeological sites and advance meteorological studies. This not only keeps scientists out of harm’s way while collecting the necessary data, but it is often faster than a human having to travel to these areas to obtain information.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br /></p><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.6933px; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">You can see that commercial drone technology may be a good idea for a variety of business types. The key is knowing where you can use it and how it might work to benefit your company. As the technology continues to develop and companies work to automate a number of jobs and tasks, it is expected that drones for commercial use will keep expanding across many different business sectors.</span>The Personal Collectionshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16114937188048558330noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8494644547311771313.post-37200894712696443982021-11-07T03:48:00.004-08:002021-11-07T03:51:55.160-08:00Best Remote Control Drone - Remote Control Drone<p> The vast majority of consumer drones are remotely controlled. Even drones with autonomous or semi-autonomous flight modes typically require a controller for manual flight. Remote control drone pilots rely on a transmitter in a controller to communicate with a drone carrying a receiver. Transmitters send input from controllers featuring joysticks, knobs, and other controls to achieve a range of actions and motions. All of this means that choosing the right remote controller and drone is vital for your flying experience. Before getting further into specifics, here is a broad overview of what to keep in mind as you look for the best remote control drone.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgtVnlR4xKOtNGhPkA8GhVUGXLqN6vGxdIDStcu1EpQjBZ80oQ-WgJvVxGPa4_uY6DHvf81Mc2XHArOg8-lFy629fDne6mgtPHBI_Gp8nAfktkmUUrlUeOK4pQJ31CPkkiuTsC1Twegg1ia9iHCX8GlCdgubczfC9jVIG6yswDiMeWB9wv2Bwrsk15H=s2048" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="best remote control drone," border="0" data-original-height="1324" data-original-width="2048" height="414" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgtVnlR4xKOtNGhPkA8GhVUGXLqN6vGxdIDStcu1EpQjBZ80oQ-WgJvVxGPa4_uY6DHvf81Mc2XHArOg8-lFy629fDne6mgtPHBI_Gp8nAfktkmUUrlUeOK4pQJ31CPkkiuTsC1Twegg1ia9iHCX8GlCdgubczfC9jVIG6yswDiMeWB9wv2Bwrsk15H=w640-h414" title="remote control drone" width="640" /></a></div><p><b>What Kinds of Remote Controls Do Drones Need?</b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">Some ready-to-fly or RTF drone models come with a remote controller designed and programmed for a specific drone, although these controllers may still need to be bound or paired with the receiver prior to liftoff. This makes RTF drones and controllers easier to fly right out of the box. If you are new to flying, you may find that an RTF model is the best remote control drone to get you started.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">Other models referred to as bind to fly or BTF require that you purchase a receiver and transmitter separately. Almost ready to fly or ARF models vary in what they include. Some drones are packaged with controllers and make it easy to bind the controller and fly without the necessity of connecting receiver channels to the onboard flight controller or installing software.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">If you select a BTF or ARF model, you will need to shop for a transmitter and receiver. You should carefully review the list of parts to determine what you will need to buy and install to make these drones functional. If you want an easier process, look for a controller made by your drone manufacturer.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">However, you may have more options if you shop for a transmitter and receiver that are not associated with a specific drone manufacturer. Then, you can consider the comfort and design of the remote controller and choose this important component-based primarily on your preferences and needs rather than ease of use. This can make it more possible for you to customize the best remote control drone rather than trying to find a model that comes with all the right options.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b>Connections and Controllers</b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">It is important to make sure that the remote control transmitter you buy is able to communicate with the receiver in your drone. Even though many remote control devices operate on the 2.4GHz frequency, and Wi-Fi can also be transmitted on this spectrum, it is often the case that a transmitter and receiver need to be made by the same manufacturer in order to communicate. These components must be successfully paired and the channels and modes on the transmitter set to correspond with the receiver and flight controller in the remote control drone for you to fly it.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">When it comes to connecting a remote control transmitter and drone receiver, you will need to correctly connect the receiver channels to the flight controller channels and install suitable flight controller software. Once this software is installed, it is time to go through the process of assigning switches and inputs to channels. This makes it possible for you to use a remote controller to manage all of the actions and features of the drone. If you are interested in being able to pilot more than one type of drone, look for a remote controller with a range of channels and modes. Be aware that you will need to customize these modes and channels to be able to control any specific device.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">A pre-programmed remote controller designed to work with a specific drone takes most of these opportunities for customization out of your hands unless you modify the default settings. If you decide on a separate transmitter and receiver, you will need a minimum of four channels to control throttle, yaw, pitch, and roll. Most experts report that quadcopter pilots need up to five or six channels. Remotes with more auxiliary channels are often large in size to make room for all of these controls.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b>Remote Control Connectivity</b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">Some of the best remote control drone features include modes and channels that correspond with flight controller settings in ways that make it easy for you to fly your drone. Some remote controllers feature a USB connection that allows you to plug them into a computer and train using a flight simulator without running the risk of crashing your drone. Some recent models incorporate smartphones and tablets, whether these wireless devices function as first-person viewfinders or transmit live streams of footage that can be uploaded to the internet. </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">Certain remote control drone models are piloted using an application on a smartphone or tablet. While this can be an affordable and convenient feature, most expert pilots agree that it is difficult to fly a drone using a standard remote control transmitter after learning to fly onscreen. The skills needed to achieve performance using a proprietary application and the mechanical finesse that comes from practicing with a physical controller are different, even though both these methods are based on the same general principles.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b>Characteristics of the Best Remote Controls</b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">The best drone controller is one that you feel comfortable using. Factor in the size of your hands and finger length when comparing designs. You should also look for a remote that corresponds to your skillset and style of flying. For instance, if you are interested in using a drone for image capture, you might look for a remote that makes it possible for you to easily control different cameras. All of these features are managed through separate channels on a remote control corresponding to a receiver and onboard flight controller processor.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">If you are purchasing a remote separately, keep in mind that the price of a controller generally depends on its features and channel capacity. Remotes with more channels — sometimes as many as 14 — tend to be physically larger, have more input methods, and cost more than remotes with fewer channels. More advanced transmitters and receivers may also offer features like telemetry, or the transmission of flight data, which may be displayed on a screen located on the remote itself.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">There are also options available when to comes to range, which can reach up to 1500 feet on the 2.4GHz frequency. These remotes may also offer a number of modes, allowing them to be used with different vehicles. Remotes with all of these features tend to be used for many purposes and are often designed for durability and longevity.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b>Shopping for a Remote Control Drone</b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">You may find it helpful to visit a physical store that sells drones to try out controllers. Another option can be attending a hobbyist meeting or flight gathering and testing out controllers to see which brands or types are most comfortable for you to handle, as well as which are favored for different types of aerial vehicles. You may also be able to determine which, if any, brands or types of controllers you would prefer to avoid. Trying equipment before you buy increases the likelihood that you can select the best remote control drone and controller to suit your preferences and needs.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">Although the information is not equivalent to firsthand experience, you can also read reviews of various drones, transmitters, and receivers online. Manufacturers, retailers, and user communities can all be helpful resources for narrowing down your options or even deciding on which drone or controller to buy. There is an extensive amount of information available online that can help you make more informed decisions. You also want to pay close attention to return policies, insurance options, and warranties to help make sure you don’t end up stuck with a remote or drone that is malfunctioning or not what you expected based on descriptions.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b>Where To Learn More About Remote Control Drones</b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">The resources you can find helpful vary depending on whether you are interested in an RTF drone packaged with a receiver and remote controller all made or authorized by the same manufacturer or if you are choosing a transmitter and receiver. Regardless, it is a good idea to look for ways to observe or experience flying remote control drones firsthand to determine which products or equipment you want to learn more about or order for yourself.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">If you are interested in buying a set with all of the parts that you need to fly, you may find reviews on shopping sites or forums dedicated to specific brands and models to be the most useful sources of information. On the other hand, if you are buying a BTF or ARF model or building your own drone, you will likely want to rely on more technical advice on sites for users dedicated to customizing the drone flying experience. While you may find reviews of some components to be helpful, you will likely have to rely on a wider range of resources to learn how to build the best remote control drone. Do your research and ask questions to increase the chances that you will be satisfied with the remote control drone you choose.</p>The Personal Collectionshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16114937188048558330noreply@blogger.com