Inside Unmanned Systems provides actionable business intelligence to decision-makers and influencers operating within the global UAS community. Features include analysis of key technologies, policy/regulatory developments and new product design.
Issue link: https://insideunmanned.epubxp.com/i/668560
72 unmanned systems inside April/May 2016 AIR MAPPING regular terrain can be more easily scanned from a short dis- tance above the ground; f light paths can be programmed and executed automatically; and, from a slightly higher altitude, the scanning device can cover a wider area in a single sweep. Hyperspectral imaging systems are of particular interest to ar- chaeologists. The UK research project 'DART' was among the first to demonstrate the use of space- and air-based hyper-spectral imaging in archaeological surveying, and now companies such as BaySpec, with its OCI-UAV, are marketing hyperspectral cameras designed specifically for use on UAV/UAS or remotely operated vehicles. Making the (Business) Case "The lowering cost barrier to entry is generating some bad press for the drone services industry," Rauxloh said. In particular, he said, people are asking why we need drone service providers at all when just about anyone can buy a drone for him- or herself and use it to take pictures? "The simple capturing of data per se is not going to remain a sus- tainable model", Rauxloh said. "Rather, it is going to be added-value services that will swing contracts." Rauxloh accepts that many academic researchers probably already know what they are looking for and what they have when they find it. Jan's Driessen's group in Cyprus and Crete is a good example. They use their drone for traditional photographic imaging and that's all they need, and they seem perfectly able to get along without the services of someone like MOLA. Others like Gary Lock, working on his hillfort survey, will want a more complex set of data, requiring more involved data-collection techniques, and perhaps more advanced sensing technologies. Outside of the purely academic arena, what about people working in urban construction, who are not archaeologists but who, particularly in Europe, may be required to undertake an archaeological survey before they can break ground in a potentially sensitive area? They can go out and buy a drone too, and learn how to fly it. But will they know what to look for when it comes to their ground survey? "At MOLA, we can fly drones, but, increasingly, so can anyone else," said Rauxloh. Therefore, he said, in the future, the business model is go- ing to be less about 'we can fly drones', and more about 'we know what to do with the data'. "In our case we have skills in the post-survey manipulation of 2- and 3D data sets within GIS and CAD systems," he said, "exploiting the raw deliverables to derive new diagnostic products. "But perhaps even more important than this is having an expertise with respect to the thing being surveyed. So again, in our case it is our special- ization as heritage professionals that allows us to understand, interpret and advise clients and research partners. This I think gives our aerial ser- vice its edge and I hope will ensure its longevity." Photos courtesy of DJI and BaySpec DJI Phantom 2 • Mfr: DJI • Size: 29 x 29 x 18 cm • Weight: 1,000 grams • Flight time: 25 minutes • Other: Requires DJI Lightbridge, iOSD mini or iOSD MK II, video downlink and monitor. • The newest model from DJI, the Phantom 4, has the DJI Lightbridge Video Downlink built in. BaySpec OCI™ UAV Airborne Hyperspectral Camera • Mfr: BaySpec • Size Camera Head: 8 x 3 x 3 cm • Size Computer: 10 x 7.5 x 3 cm • Weight: approximately 0.6lb ~272g • Data Transfer Rate: Up to 120 fps • Operation: Automatic operation requires minimal human intervention. • Data: Acquires VIS-NIR hyperspec- tral data with continuous spectral and spatial coverage. • Other: Made specif cally for un- manned aircraft, the camera has a high- performance, miniature, single-board computer. Includes USB interface. GEAR