Subsequent up in our “Ask Drone Woman” collection is a query about mapping, DroneDeploy and whether or not the DJI Air 3S can develop into an enterprise-style workflow. You probably have a query for Drone Woman, contact her right here.
I took your recommendation and purchased the Air 3S, which is a tremendous little craft. I’m a skilled photographer and initially deliberate to concentrate on images, however my college drone courses opened my eyes to thermography, mapping and LiDAR. We’re utilizing DroneDeploy with a Matrice at school, and I’m blown away by what it could possibly do.
I do know DroneDeploy doesn’t enable autonomous flight with the Air 3S and RC2. I’ve learn blended issues concerning the RC2 vs the RC Professional 2 for waypoint missions. Would upgrading controllers assist? Any manner to make use of the Air 3S for automated mapping flights? Or ought to I be fascinated about a unique drone solely?
The DJI Air 3S is unbelievable for images — but it surely’s not sturdy sufficient for severe mapping work. That doesn’t imply you made a nasty buy. It simply means you’re now seeing the place the ceiling is.
Why the Air 3S shines for images however struggles with mapping
You’re spot on that the Air 3S is a wonderful artistic software. For images, inspection-style visuals and basic Half 107 work, it’s a pleasure to fly.
However mapping introduces very completely different necessities, together with:
- Totally autonomous grid flights
- Constant overlap and flight pace
- Repeatable missions
- SDK-level entry for third-party apps
And that is the place the Air 3S hits its limits. In keeping with DroneDeploy’s personal supported and advisable gear record, the DJI Air 3S is just not supported for autonomous flight. DroneDeploy helps the DJI Air 3S for processing solely. Moreover, it doesn’t present cell help for the Air 3S.
In different phrases, you possibly can add imagery from the Air 3S into DroneDeploy and course of it — however DroneDeploy can’t fly the mission for you on that plane. That limitation is because of DJI’s SDK entry and {hardware} positioning.
What DroneDeploy really recommends for mapping
DroneDeploy could be very specific about which drones are actually constructed for end-to-end mapping workflows. Its advisable drones for flight and processing embody:
These platforms supply options together with:
- Mechanical shutters (enormous for mapping accuracy)
- RTK choices
- Full SDK help
- Dependable autonomous flight planning
Now in case you actually are on a funds, right here’s one thing odd: you would possibly wish to go for the outdated mannequin of your DJI Air 3S. That’s as a result of the DJI Air 2S (sure, you learn that proper) does help autonomous flight (on iOS). Clearly, DJI has deliberately been segmenting its lineup, much more so recently.
Right here’s somewhat bit extra about every of those two drones:
Mavic 3 Enterprise: the “small drone, severe maps” workhorse
The Mavic 3 Enterprise stands out for its mechanical shutter, which helps scale back rolling-shutter distortion throughout flight (translation: cleaner photogrammetry, much less headache).
Why I prefer it as a choose: it’s the candy spot for individuals who need enterprise-grade mapping options with out going full “truck case, laborious hat, and payload administration.” It’s additionally a really logical step up from a photography-first drone whenever you wish to begin successful mapping jobs.
Matrice 4 Enterprise or Thermal: whenever you need smarter seize
The Matrice 4 collection is the place DJI leans laborious into “clever seize,” and also you see it instantly within the sensor suite and the built-in measurement instruments. The Matrice 4 Enterprise/Thermal is a compact, clever drone with a 4/3-inch CMOS 20MP broad digital camera (on the 4E) plus extra tele cameras and a laser rangefinding module built-in for extra exact information seize.
For those who’re attempting to construct expertise in thermography, the Matrice 4 Thermal is designed for that lane — and DroneDeploy’s help notes that processing helps thermal and radiometric outputs for the Matrice 4 Thermal (beta), which is the sort of wording that issues whenever you’re doing actual thermography work.
Why I prefer it as a choose: it’s the sort of platform you graduate into whenever you’ve moved past “mapping is neat” and into “mapping is a part of my service line.” It’s constructed for severe fieldwork and repeatability, and it’s aligned with what mapping software program suppliers are literally supporting end-to-end.
Would upgrading from RC2 to RC Professional 2 assist?
It is a actually frequent (and logical) query. Sadly, no — upgrading the controller gained’t unlock DroneDeploy flight help on the Air 3S.
The limitation isn’t the RC2 vs RC Professional 2. It’s the plane itself and the way DJI exposes (or doesn’t expose) SDK entry for third-party flight apps.
Even with a extra highly effective controller, DroneDeploy nonetheless can’t fly automated missions on the Air 3S. The waypoint limitations stay, thus you gained’t all of the sudden get true mapping-grade autonomy.
Can you continue to experiment with mapping on the Air 3S?
You’ll be able to nonetheless experiment with mapping on the Air 3S, with caveats. Some methods you need to use the DJI Air3S on a primary degree embody:
- Flying guide or semi-manual grid patterns
- Importing imagery into DroneDeploy for processing
- Studying photogrammetry ideas, overlap and floor management
That is nice for schooling and experimentation, and testing the waters to see in case you’d even wish to pursue a profession in mapping. Use the DJI Air 3S for now, and — because it sounds such as you’re nonetheless a pupil — think about the place you need your profession to go earlier than really investing in a drone that may price you a lot extra 1000’s of {dollars}.
If, after some thought (and extra time in courses) you notice that your future focus consists of mapping, thermography or LiDAR-adjacent workflows, then think about investing in a second (extra sturdy) drone that’s purpose-built for mapping work.
Possibly this isn’t what you don’t wish to hear (as a result of it means heaps extra money) however the subsequent step isn’t a brand new controller — it’s a second drone, purpose-built for that work.
The Air 3S stays a unbelievable images platform, and it’s not an entire wash. Many mapping professionals carry a number of drones (the DJI Air 3S nonetheless works as an important backup, and you should still use it must you sustain the images profession too!!).
Joyful flying — and learning!
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