We are excited to announce we have made a number of capital investments in the last few months which have enhanced our offerings to clients. These include 3 new drones, 2 drone cameras, software, hardware and training investments. (Yes we have been VERY busy) We were awarded Digital Boost funding from the Scottish Government which really helped drive our digital investment at the right time. This blog will focus on our most recent investment to enhance our drone survey and drone inspection offering with the purchase of the M300 RTK Drone and Zenmuse P1 and H20 cameras. At Drone Scotland we regularly provide Drone Inspections and drone roof surveys and this investment will really provide value to our customers by increasing the quality and efficiencies of our operations even further, .
The M300 RTK Drone
“The M300 RTK is DJI’s latest commercial drone platform that takes inspiration from modern aviation systems. Offering up to 55 minutes of flight time, advanced AI capabilities, 6 Directional Sensing & Positioning and more, the M300 RTK sets a whole new standard by combining intelligence with high-performance and unrivalled reliability.” (Coptrz)
In our opinion the M300 is one of the most advanced drones on the market, boasting an array of inbuilt safety systems. These include omni directional collision avoidance sensors which are positioned on all 6 facings of the drone. With an IP45 rating and downward facing rotars, the M300 is capable of withstanding rain up to 100mm per day. Inbuilt sensors enable the operator to be made aware of civilian aircraft which may be in the vicinity thus supporting the operators situational awareness of manned aviation. Unlike other drones, the M300 has hot swappable batteries. In other words batteries can be swapped without ever having to power the drone.
How does this help our clients?
The M300 RTK combined with our Zenmuse H20 and Zenmuse P1 cameras will allow us to offer enhanced services to our clients. The Zenmuse P1 offers 45mp full frame sensor and possibly the best photogrammetry camera in the market. Whilst the H20 allows us to zoom in up to X200 times. So what does this mean to our clients?
We can now
- Operate in the rain and wind – We can now operate more days per year and aids a faster response time
- Capture high resolution images from 20x to as much as X200 the distance – Increasing the quality of images, allowing us to conduct Drone Inspections from further away. For example a drone roof survey we could previously not capture due to it being in a congested area, can now be captured from a further distance away – without compromising on quality.
- Operate with dual controls – Allowing us to operate in highly congested areas. One operator will fly the drone whilst the other focuses on operating the camera. This will Increase the quality of images and accuracy whilst enhancing Health & Safety
- Fly for over 40 minutes per battery set – increasing our efficiencies and the speed at which we can turnaround data for clients
Zenmuse H20 camera for Drone Inspections
Combining the Matrice 300 with the H20 camera will allow us to inspect buildings in greater detail from further away. Thus improving the end deliverables whilst maximising the safe and legal operation of our UAVs. For example images captured at 5 metres distance can now be captured in equal quality from 100 metres distance. Given that we are required to maintain 50 metres separation from uninvolved persons, the addition of the H20 will allow us to operate in more areas legally and safely. The H20 camera will allow us the capability to zoom in up to X200 times, making it the standard in industrial UAV Solutions in the Inspection and Public Safety space.
What’s more, intelligent data capture modes will enable us to capture entire surfaces from a fixed location rather than having to relocate the drone to ensure full coverage of the surface. When flown as a dual operated drone, the M300 also supports the functionality where one operator will control the drone and the second operator will have direct control over the camera.
This is hugely helpful in capturing more accurate data for a number of reasons. In the instance for example where we are conducting a drone roof survey of a Church, we regularly run into a number of similar challenges including
- Nesting birds on the roof
- Flying a drone in a congested area – Churches tend to be built in the heart of villages and towns and next to main roads.
- Vegetation – Churches tend to have trees in the grounds. They create shadows of the building, often reducing visibility on survey imagery. Larger trees can sometimes present difficulties in positioning the drone.
With all the above challenges having dual controllers means the drone pilot can concentrate on flying the drone safely and legally whilst the second controller focusses on capturing high level imagery. In addition, being able to capture entire surfaces from a fixed location will help avoid nesting birds, negotiating the drone around trees and minimise any risk in a congested area.
Zenmuse P1 camera
The P1 camera is one of the most recent sensors released and they endeavour to provide more detailed, more accurate and more precise photogrammetry. Utilising a 45mp full framed sensor in conjunction with a 1/2000 speed shutter, the P1 enables the drone to fly faster and higher than before. Ultimately this means data being captured quicker, processed faster and in higher resolution than previous alternatives.
When flown at heights as low as 50 metres, the P1 sensor can produce sub cm detail which enhances the relative accuracy of maps and models. Global accuracy, when flown with the RTK module, has been shown to be accurate to within 30mm on the x and y axis and 50mm on the z axis. This accuracy can be further improved by the use of Ground Control Points which can be supplied by Drone Scotland personnel.
The M300 is one of the most advanced drones on the market, boasting an array of inbuilt safety systems. These include omni directional collision avoidance sensors which are positioned on all 6 facings of the drone. With an IP45 rating and downward facing rotars the M300 is capable of withstanding rain up to 100mm per day. Inbuilt sensors enable the operator to be made aware of civilian aircraft which may be in the vicinity thus supporting the operators situational awareness of manned aviation. Unlike other drones, the M300 has hot swappable batteries. In other words batteries can be swapped without ever having to power the drone.
Drone Scotland – Drone Inspection Services and Surveys
At Drone Scotland we are fully experienced in survey and inspection services. Our offering includes
- Building inspections
- 3d modelling
- 2d mapping
- 3d Orthomosaic mapping
- Pre-purchase land surveys
- Drone roof surveys
Note – We are not data providers and not surveyors. We do not therefore provide survey reports or recommendations based on the data we capture. We work with qualified surveyors who can provide this part of the service.
For further information on how Drone Scotland can help with your Building Inspection or Building Survey project please contact us at construction@dronescotland.com.