GPS Autopilot

How Do Drones Work And What Is Drone Technology

March 26, 2020March 26, 2020 by Fintan Corrigan

Drone technology used in various popular Quadcopters

What is a drone and how do drones work is answered here in this easy to understand article. Drone technology is constantly evolving as new innovation and big investment are bringing more advanced drones to the market every few months.

Below, we discuss UAV technology on the most popular drones on the market, which have all the latest drone technology. Most drones will have very similar systems incorporated.

Unmanned aerial vehicle technology covers everything from the aerodynamics of the drone, materials in the manufacture of the physical UAV, to the circuit boards, chipset and software, which are the brains of the drone.

12 Top Collision Avoidance Drones And Obstacle Detection Explained

March 9, 2020March 9, 2020 by Fintan Corrigan

Drones with obstacle detection and collision avoidance sensors are becoming more prevalent in both the consumer and professional sectors. This year, we have quite a few drones with collision avoidance technology. This obstacle detection and avoidance technology started with sensors … Read more

DJI Mavic 2 Pro And Zoom Review Includes Features, Specs With FAQS

March 9, 2020March 9, 2020 by Fintan Corrigan

This DJI Mavic 2 Pro and Mavic 2 Zoom review looks at the outstanding features of these 2 new quadcopters. Both Mavic 2 drones are a tremendous feat of engineering, elegant design and new innovative technology from DJI. In our … Read more

Top DJI Phantom 4 Pro Intelligent Flight Modes Reviewed Including New V2.0

April 1, 2020January 8, 2020 by Fintan Corrigan

The Phantom 4 Pro intelligent flight modes make flying and producing meaningful aerial imagery so much easier. Here, we review the Phantom 4 Pro including the new Phantom 4 Pro v2.0 intelligent flight modes, specifications and features.

The Phantom 4 Pro autonomous flight modes, along with new stabilization system and professional 4k camera make this drone an exceptional investment.

For aerial cinematography, the Phantom 4 flight modes allow you the capture film from various different flying angles.

The Phantom 4 Pro is an excellent quadcopter for professional site surveying, 3D imaging of terrain and photogrammetry of structures.

You can read further on these uses in this the article “Introduction To UAV Photogrammetry and Lidar Mapping“.

The Phantom 4 Pro also has many autonomous safety systems such as obstacle detection and smart return to home technology.

12 Top Lidar Sensors For UAVs, Lidar Drones And So Many Great Uses

February 13, 2020December 31, 2019 by Fintan Corrigan

Lidar sensors on UAVs capture imagery which only a few years ago needed an aircraft carrying large heavy lidar sensors and a crew to accomplish.

Here, we look at 12 of the best lidar sensors for drones along with the best lidar drones.

We feature lidar sensors from manufacturers such as Velodyne, Routescene, Leddartech, Riegl, YellowScan, Leica and Geodetics.

The lidar drones include quadcopters, fixed wing drones, UAV helicopters from manufacturers such as DJI, Harris, Velos, Vulcan, OnyxStar and many more.

A lidar sensor mounted on a UAV, along with the lidar software can process images very quickly in the cloud, allowing for effective decisions to be made by stakeholders and relevant parties.

The output from these lidar drones and sensors is outstanding. The pace of development and improvement in the lidar sensors over the past few years has been tremendous and will continue with more entrants into this sector.

Over the coming years, we are going to see most of the lidar sensor work moving from aircraft to lidar drones.

In fact, all the manufacturers of the large lidar sensors for airplanes have developed smaller lidar sensors for drones.

We start off this post with the lidar drones being used for the various sensors, followed by how lidar sensor technology works. Then, we look at the best lidar sensors for drones. Along the way, we have some terrific lidar drone sensor videos.

Drones For Deliveries From Medicine To Post, Packages And Pizza

February 11, 2020December 19, 2019 by Fintan Corrigan

Drone Delivery Service - Is it the way forward

Drones for delivering parcels and all types of goods is receiving massive investment from some really big players all over the globe.

With large companies such as Amazon, Walmart, UPS, Google and other global postal companies investing in drone delivery projects, it is only a matter of time before their drone parcel delivery service goals become a reality?

Will the day come, when we look above and see thousands of drones busily zipping along to deliver mail, parcels, medicine, pizza and any other small to medium sized item?

It is probably only a matter of a few years before we have our skies full of drones delivering parcels. There certainly are loads of technical challenges to overcome. There are also widespread privacy concerns to overcome. Perhaps drones for delivering parcels will be limited to just far out hard to reach places.

Skydio 2 Follow Drone Review Includes Features, Specs And FAQS

February 11, 2020December 18, 2019 by Fintan Corrigan

This Skydio 2 follow drone review looks at the outstanding features, specifications and frequently asked questions on this new quadcopter to the market. It’s a small quadcopter with a lot of new innovative drone technology. The Skydio 2 has perhaps … Read more

12 Top Drones With Excellent Cameras, GPS, Autopilot And Low Prices

February 8, 2020December 1, 2019 by Fintan Corrigan

Walkera Scout X4 With Drone GPS Autopilot and 4k Camera

The top drones reviewed here all have excellent 4k cameras, GPS and autopilot systems giving you many options when it comes to flying, aerial filming and photography.

These drones have incredibly low prices due to the competition in the drone sector.

Along with excellent low prices, these top drones all have 4k cameras and can be flown by pilot manually or on autopilot. A drone flying on autopilot has big advantages over manual flight. A drone on autopilot can fly a programmed route, called waypoints and take aerial photos or video much better than any pilot can.

This is especially true in difficult weather conditions. A drone flying in autopilot mode is monitoring and adjusting its position thousands of times per second. Manual flying will never be able to achieve this flight accuracy.

For aerial photography, it is great to let the drone fly on autopilot on a given route, while you concentrate on working the camera capturing the best of video and stills.

Having a drone with a GPS autopilot flight system and a 4k camera is very essential for aerial photogrammetry, 3D mapping and multispectral imaging in the agricultural sector.

12 Best Follow Me Drones And Follow You Technology Reviewed

February 6, 2020November 24, 2019 by Fintan Corrigan

Follow Me GPS Drone Technology and Best Follow ME UAVsw

With Follow Me drone technology, the UAV is programmed to automatically follow you around, giving you plenty of opportunities to film unique aerial shots.

At present there are 2 types of drone Follow Me technology. Here, we look at the technology used in drones that follow you.

Then, we review the 12 best follow me drones on the market right now, with some terrific videos along the way.

We review drones which follow you from DJI, Walkera, Yuneec, AirDog, Hover and more including Skydio and Autel, which are pretty new manufacturers of tracking follow drones.

Drones that follow you came on the scene in 2016 and the follow me innovation has continued ever since. Generally, drones with follow me GPS mode, also have other intelligent flight systems (Orbit, ActiveTrack, Points of Interest, Waypoints, Circle, Terrain Follow etc) giving you even more flying and filming options.

Terrific Benefits Of Drones In Rescue, Wildlife, Farming And Business

February 11, 2020September 30, 2019 by Fintan Corrigan

Best uses of drones providing solutions across many sectors

There are many terrific benefits of drones across multiple sectors. Every week, we read about the new benefits of using UAVs for inspections.

Drones being used in sectors, such as science, agriculture, construction, marketing, archaeology, conservation, the environment. Drones are benefiting search and rescue missions immensely.

They are saving lives, time and money. A couple of years ago, you would only see drone scenery videos on the Internet with very few news items about drones in other sectors. Not any more.

Drone innovation and technology have improved immensely. Combining improved drone technology with existing technology (cameras, infrared, sensors, 3D mapping and software) has given Researchers, Scientists, Universities and Business new avenues for their use.

The drive to seek better solutions to problems is perhaps the main reason why drones are becoming so popular.

Flash Lidar Time of Flight (ToF) Camera Sensors On Drones And 10 Terrific Uses

February 12, 2020September 12, 2019 by Fintan Corrigan

Flash Lidar Time-of-Flight Sensors For Drones

A flash lidar also known as a ToF camera sensor on a drone or ground based system has numerous powerful uses. These flash lidar Time-of-Flight camera sensors can be used for object scanning, measure distance, indoor navigation, obstacle avoidance, gesture … Read more

Introduction To UAV Photogrammetry And Lidar Mapping Basics

February 13, 2020August 28, 2019 by Fintan Corrigan

Using UAVs for photogrammetry and aerial LiDar mapping

UAV lidar and photogrammetry imaging applications are increasing rapidly. This is not surprising as using GPS enabled UAVs for aerial surveying is very cost effective in comparison to hiring an aircraft with photogrammetry equipment.

Because UAVs are relatively inexpensive, organisations will have their own UAV fleet, allowing for rapid surveys over large land areas and infrastructure projects where required.

With GPS equipped drones, digital cameras and powerful computers, surveys have an accuracy right down to 1 centimeter.

This post takes an overall look at this drone mapping technology. We also take a quick view at the sectors benefiting from using UAVs for photogrammetry and lidar mapping. We also look at some of the best mapping drones on the market along with the compatible software.

Another closely related sector is using LiDAR sensors mounted onto drones. It’s another growing sector and you can read further regarding drone LiDAR use here.

Drone Gyro Stabilization, IMU And Flight Controllers Explained

February 13, 2020July 2, 2019 by Fintan Corrigan

Three And Six Axis Gyro Stabilization Drone Technology

For a drone to fly perfectly, the IMU, gyro stabilization and flight controller technology is essential. Drones today use three and six axis gyro stabilization technology to provide navigational information to the flight controller, which make drones easier and safer … Read more

Drone Waypoint GPS Navigation Technology And Uses Explained

February 23, 2020March 24, 2019 by Fintan Corrigan

Waypoint GPS Navigation in Drones explained along with its uses

Drone Waypoint GPS Navigation is advanced technology. It is very useful both today and even more so into the future as drones take on new functions and roles in business and other areas. Waypoint GPS Navigation allows a drone to … Read more

Quality Phantom 3 Drone Reviewed And Very Low Prices

February 11, 2020March 15, 2018 by Fintan Corrigan

DJI Phantom 3 Review of both the Professional And Advanced Model

In this Phantom 3 review we look at its innovative technology and features which make this drone the most popular on the market. In the past couple of weeks the DJI Phantom 3 has become even better value with lower prices. Further down this post, I have links to where you can get the best prices for the Phantom 3 Professional, Advanced and Standard models.

Even though, there are newer drones from DJI on the market, the Phantom 3 nevertheless has everything you would want in a drone. Many of the top aerial landscape filming on YouTube have been filmed with the Phantom 3.

The Phantom 3 is very powerful, highly responsive and will fly precisely to your commands. The integrated gimbal and camera greatly assist you to take professional aerial photos and film. Without doubt, the Phantom 3 is very impressive to fly and film with.

This Phantom 3 review with videos takes a close look at the flying and filming capabilities along with its features and improvements. The Phantom 3 flies longer; has a 4k UHD camera; a new Vision Positioning system; stronger GPS signalling and reliability; a totally revamped remote controller; massive improvement in precision flying with much improved responsiveness and performance from both the quadcopter and camera.

UAVs In The Lidar Applications Sector Increases Substantially

February 13, 2020August 9, 2017 by Fintan Corrigan

Lidar Applications And Systems Using UAVs

The market for lidar UAVs and their applications is growing fast and and will continue to increase over the next decade. In 2015, the figure spent on drones using Lidar was around the USD 300 million.

However the lidar market is expected to rise to more than $1 billion by 2020. This is an increase of 20% year on year to 2020.

Many still view airborne lidar applications through the use of fixed wing pilot aircraft. The high cost or renting lidar equipped aircraft, pilots, lidar trained engineers has kept the use of this extremely useful technology pretty much to the minimum. Only big money and big budgets could afford to use airborne lidar systems regularly.

Top DJI Matrice 100 Review – Create New Solutions Drone

February 11, 2020December 8, 2016 by Fintan Corrigan

The Matrice 100 drone can be programmed using the DJI Special Development and Guidance Visual Sensing System. This Matrice 100 review looks at the technology, specifications and features of this modular and adaptable programmable sensor drone.

This Matrice drone is designed with the developer in mind. It will allow developers from all sectors to use the Matrice 100 as a platform to create new hardware and software applications and solve real life problems.

The Matrice 100 is a dual system. You have the quadcopter and also the guidance visual sensing system as an add on. It’s ready to fly straight out of the box. The real benefit is in using the interface between the Matrice 100 and the DJI SDK to create new aerial solutions.

This quadcopter has sensors, a collision avoidance system and has tremendous options to customize. Because the Matrice 100 is highly advanced and very customizable, it gives developers and engineers flexibility to be creative. You customize and create solutions using the Matrice 100, the Guidance Vision Sensing System and the DJI Special Development Kit.

Walkera Technology Top Racing Drones And Aerial Filming UAVs

February 8, 2020January 29, 2016 by Fintan Corrigan

Walkera produce top aerial and racing drones

Walkera Technology is one of the top companies for professional aerial and racing drones not just in China, but globally. Walkera have been very successful in the rc model toys since 1994 with over 50 helicopters and airplanes in their product range.

They have successfully transitioned to become a world class manufacturer of highly innovative and patented quadcopters and multirotors.

Walkera have 2 very strong competencies. The 1st is their ability to design, engineer and develop new patented aircraft having a very wide range of drones and remote control toys. Their 2nd strong ability is in the area of mold proficiency in which they use only the highest of precision equipment.

DJI Ground Station App And Setting Up Phantom 2 Waypoints

February 10, 2020February 4, 2015 by Fintan Corrigan

DJI Phanton 2 Ground Station App For Setting Up Waypoint Navigation

The Phantom 2 Ground Station app allows for the setting up of autonomous waypoints. What this means is that your Phantom 2 quadcopter will fly autonomously from takeoff, then through its programmed points to its destination and also land safely.

It is exciting technology and shows us the potential of drones in everyday life.

The Ground Station app makes complex waypoint flying as simple as a few taps on a screen. Before trying out waypoint navigation, watch the below DJI Ground Station tutorials a couple of times. Become familiar with the app and go through the below checks before flying using waypoints.

Prevent Phantom GPS Signal Loss And Failsafe Mode Tips

February 10, 2020January 27, 2015 by Fintan Corrigan

How to prevent GPS Signal loss on Phantom Quadcopters

When your Phantom loses GPS signal and enters failsafe mode, their are always some anxious moments as you are unsure whether your quadcopter will return to its home point.

If the Phantom is out of sight, the anxiety is even greater until you see your Phantom coming back to you. It’s not a good feeling at all.

If your Phantom is losing the GPS signal regularly, you lose the enjoyment of flying and with each GPS signal loss, there is always a chance of your Phantom crashing.

This article with videos will give you some tips, checks and pointers to prevent GPS signal loss on your Phantom. A lot of the tips here are very practical and you can use this information to guide you in troubleshooting any drone not just a Phantom.

Improve Phantom 2 Vision+ GPS Signal With This Drone Tip

February 10, 2020January 18, 2015 by Fintan Corrigan

Drone DIY to improve the GPS Signal On The DJI Phantom 2 Vision+ drone

Problems with the GPS signal or loss of GPS on your Phantom 2 Vision is a worry and can lead to fly away issues or in the worse case, your drone crashing. This article and drone diy video below will show you how to improve the GPS signal on your Phantom 2 Vision+. You can look to use this solution on all Phantoms.

Loss of GPS signal appears to be a problem not just on Phantom drones but on all consumer drones. The problem can vary slightly and may not be entirely the manufacturers fault.

The Phantom really is a top quality quadcopter. Some of the best videos of beautiful scenery and adventure on YouTube are filmed using the Phantom And GoPro combination. Being outdoors and flying your Phantom should be an enjoyable past time. If your Phantom is having GPS problems regularly, it takes the fun out of flying and limits you to flying your Phantom close to where you can keep your eyes on it.

I hope this Drone DIY procedure is easy enough for you to implement and fixes the GPS issues. Then you can fly your Phantom and enjoy the experience which is what it is all about. Having fun flying your Phantom.

Top Business Drone Reviews For Aerial Filming And Mapping

February 11, 2020November 6, 2014 by Fintan Corrigan

Article reviewing the best drone for aerial view, UAV cinematography and photography

Drone use for aerial view, photography and cinematography is on a big upward trend. More importantly there is a business opportunity for owners of the best quality drones and camera equipment to be hired for specialized work. Using drones or renting drones along with professional pilots and photographers is a new sector with plenty of growth potential.

What Are Drones, Quadcopters And UAVs Answered For Newbies

February 13, 2020October 17, 2014 by Fintan Corrigan

Article describes what exactly are drones, quadcopters and unmanned aircraft vehicles systems

For someone new and wants to learn about drone technology, it can get quite confusing. Today I’ll explain what are drones, quadcopters and UAVs as these names get thrown about quite a bit.

By reading and learning a bit about drones, purchasing and flying your first drone you will swiftly move away from a newbie to drones and start becoming an expert.