Using the DJI Spark for mapping

[AH-1G]

I'd just like to point out the irony of you calling out me for calling out others for "non-appropriate" posts. Isn't the internet wonderful?

People keep telling me to not be offended for multiple posts harping on the same argument (that the Spark wasn't built for this so why bother) so then they too can not be offended when I tell them that this point of view (and redundancy) is not helpful for the discussion. The main problem right now is that this forum is brand new and therefore there aren't that many topics (plus a contest that has people vying for higher post counts), this seems to make people just comment on what they see even if they don't really need to say it.

I'd like to be an active member of this budding industry that is of interest to me and my job so hopefully people won't completely write me off for voicing my opinion of their opinion.

I really had no idea that higher post count is a plus for the contest, where was that information posted?

 

[AH-1G]

So if you agree with that then that would mean you disagree with the entire premise of this thread. To that I just ask, why are you here?

 

[UAV_Mapper]

@jefferson3 Another option to try is to extract still frames from video and try to fly a grid pattern like that. Pix4D has the ability to import video files and we've had good success in terrestrial tests with that method. The resolution won't be as good, but you'll be certain to have a lot of overlap for point cloud creation. The biggest areas of degradation between video and stills were observed to be in places without a lot of detail, such as in fresh concrete and asphalt; areas with abundant texture came out fine.

 

[Jammer]

Its easy to do GIS with a Spark. The PIX4D Capture app will fly an excellent grid flight plan and then you can use lots of different software or services to stitch all the photos into an Ortho.

No problem at all...

 

[UAV_Mapper]

The PIX4D Capture app will fly an excellent grid flight plan

As far as I've seen, the DJI Spark does not support waypoint flights. You can free-fly it and capture imagery, but that's pretty tricky for mapping over even moderately sized areas.

 

[ArrUnTuS]

As far as I've seen, Pix4D Capture does not support waypoint flights. You can free-fly it and capture imagery, but that's pretty tricky for mapping over even moderately sized areas.

No waypoint flight plans are used for mapping. They're two different things. Waypoints are used to make routes and repeat them but not to map.

 

[UAV_Mapper]

Waypoints are used to make routes and repeat them but not to map.

Sorry, I meant to say that the Spark does not support waypoint flights, so Pix4D Capture cannot plan mapping missions, at least from what I can tell. Edited my comment to reflect that.

 

[Jammer]

In the settings page of the PIX4D app it has Spark on the list. It’s free to download and try....

 

[UAV_Mapper]

PIX4D app it has Spark on the list

According to Pix4D, only the freeflight method is supported. The Spark will take pictures, but you'll have to manually fly your mapping grid or area.

 

[Jammer]

My apologies. When I saw it on the menu selection I wrongly assumed it was fully functional. Maybe a future firmware upgrade or the “Spark 2” will accomodate this function.
I think the Spark would be perfect for a quick ortho of a small area where the weight of the aircraft significantly reduces the risk.

 

[TAZimmer]

I'm definitely interested in seeing how your experiment with the Spark turns out. Like you we've been running Phantom 4 Pros and RTK ground control to generate our orthomosaics. But a P4P can be just too darn bulky at times, so I've also been thinking about how useful it would be to for our field guys to use a Spark to map small areas with 'good enough' precision. Just throw it in your backpack or in the box on the quad and if you need a quick field shot it's there for you.

Reading the stats in the manual, though, it looks like the gimble only goes to 85°, not true vertical. Not sure if our orthosoftware can adjust sufficiently for that much obliqueness in the imagery. I was thinking of running a grid myself this week and running the pix through both AgriSoft Pro and Pix4D. If I do I'll post what I learn.

 

[UAV_Mapper]

Not sure if our orthosoftware can adjust sufficiently for that much obliqueness in the imagery.

Pix4D can handle angles like that and they even have a maximum of ~70 degrees (don't quote me on that) set when you select their 3D mapping grid option in the Pix4DCapture app. In fact, that mode won't even allow for true nadir imagery, so the program is fine with it. We've done a few tests with it and the models came out just fine.

 

[TAZimmer]

Pix4D can handle angles like that and they even have a maximum of ~70 degrees (don't quote me on that) set when you select their 3D mapping grid option in the Pix4DCapture app. In fact, that mode won't even allow for true nadir imagery, so the program is fine with it. We've done a few tests with it and the models came out just fine.

Excellent. Thanks for the clarification.

I'm going to try and run a small grid over one of our test areas. Comparison test between my Spark and one of our Phantom 4 Pros, see how much of a difference there will be. Should be interesting.

 

[Dave Pitman]

The Mavic Air has a better camera and folds smaller than a Spark. It can also fly autonomously and will most likely be supported by the grid apps.

 

[jjkowals]

Hi all!

TL : DR - I am looking into using a "selfie" drone to do GIS mapping (not surveying). Follow along with my adventures if you so choose! ***EDIT*** Just want to add, this thread is not a discussion on if there are better options than a Spark (of course there are) so you can keep those comments to yourself. I have seen people use a ballon for mapping, so a Spark is way ahead of that.

Long version:

As mentioned in my introduction to the site I am new to drones but not to the data created by them. Over the years I have spent many hours processing and utilizing aerial and satellite photographs, many of those hours dedicated to extracting information for analysis.

That said, I know a lot of the commercial mapping drones have been the larger and higher end models (like the DJI Inspire or even the Phantom 4 Pro), but what about the new crop of small drones that are still packed with sensors?

I got a DJI Spark for Christmas and because I am a GIS nerd the first thing that went through my mind was, "can I collect data to view in GIS"? After some research it seemed as though it should be technically possible but there are definitely some pros and cons and I just wanted to document my journey here.

Pros:

• Super small
• Portable
• Inexpensive (comparatively)
• Easy* to fly (this is subjective of course, but the bar is lower than many professional quads)

Cons:

• Doesn't support way point flights (through DJI apps at least)
• Lack of redundant sensors
• Shorter flight times
• Shorter transmission distance (than the newer drones like the Mavic)

After putting the Pro/Con list together it looks like the Pros make it a potential candidate for people that might not have deep pockets or want to capture small amounts of data in remote places where size is essential. Next I decided to see if the Cons could be addressed.

1. Doesn't Support way point flights.

While this is technically true, I did find that an iOS app called Autopilot (from Hangar) does support way point flights on the Spark. For this to work though it requires that the aircraft be connected to the RC for the entirety of the flight or else it will RTH without finishing the mission.

2. Lack of redundant sensors

While there really isn't any way to address this by adding more hardware (I don't think this thing could take much of a payload at all seeing as how it only weighs around 300 grams) there is the ability to be conscious of this and pay more attention to your logs and errors to make sure you don't push your luck and one of the sensors goes out while you are in a bad place.

3. Shorter flight times

This one is a bit of a pain, but the easy answer is to just buy more batteries. If you need to fly a longer mission it looks like the Autopilot software will enable to you start and stop at "checkpoints" throughout the campaign. Breaking up a larger mission will allow you to change batteries, allow things to cool down (or heat up depending on climate), and readjust your ground position if needed.

4. Shorter transmission distance

Short transmission distance in this case means 1.2 miles (in ideal conditions), so in reality this will probably never really be an issue since the short battery life will dictate that you can't fly that far away to begin with. But if it does every become an issue then there are ways to boost your signal. I have heard that people get fairly good results with a simple parabolic reflector on the RC. That is on my list of things to test if I ever run into signal issues.


So, where do I go from here? Right now it is freezing outside and I am still in the research phase. I plan on creating missions in Autopilot to collect photographs with a high level of overlap and then feed the images into Drone2Map from Esri. From there I will see what kind of outputs I can get, from just normal orthophotographs to point clouds and 3D models. Just will have to wait and see.

Let me know if you have any (relevant) thoughts, questions, or suggestions.

Jeff

Jeff-

Less talk, more flying. [emoji12]

I originally overlooked this thread because I have no intention of ever owning a spark. And we all know there are much better options for mapping (for honestly not that much more; P4P $1500. Drones are an expensive hobby. Wait till you get into building FPV quads and fixed wings...so addictive!)

But I came back after seeing all of this negative chatter. What does anyone have to lose? I fully support you spending your time in the name of experimentation! In fact, I would love to help. Feel free to send me your imagery. I could run it through Pix4D. And happy to help with any technical and logistical questions. I think we should all be experimenting all the time.

 

[Peter Wilson-Kelly]

Hi all!

TL : DR - I am looking into using a "selfie" drone to do GIS mapping (not surveying). Follow along with my adventures if you so choose! ***EDIT*** Just want to add, this thread is not a discussion on if there are better options than a Spark (of course there are) so you can keep those comments to yourself. I have seen people use a ballon for mapping, so a Spark is way ahead of that.

Long version:

As mentioned in my introduction to the site I am new to drones but not to the data created by them. Over the years I have spent many hours processing and utilizing aerial and satellite photographs, many of those hours dedicated to extracting information for analysis.

That said, I know a lot of the commercial mapping drones have been the larger and higher end models (like the DJI Inspire or even the Phantom 4 Pro), but what about the new crop of small drones that are still packed with sensors?

I got a DJI Spark for Christmas and because I am a GIS nerd the first thing that went through my mind was, "can I collect data to view in GIS"? After some research it seemed as though it should be technically possible but there are definitely some pros and cons and I just wanted to document my journey here.

Pros:

• Super small
• Portable
• Inexpensive (comparatively)
• Easy* to fly (this is subjective of course, but the bar is lower than many professional quads)

Cons:

• Doesn't support way point flights (through DJI apps at least)
• Lack of redundant sensors
• Shorter flight times
• Shorter transmission distance (than the newer drones like the Mavic)

After putting the Pro/Con list together it looks like the Pros make it a potential candidate for people that might not have deep pockets or want to capture small amounts of data in remote places where size is essential. Next I decided to see if the Cons could be addressed.

1. Doesn't Support way point flights.

While this is technically true, I did find that an iOS app called Autopilot (from Hangar) does support way point flights on the Spark. For this to work though it requires that the aircraft be connected to the RC for the entirety of the flight or else it will RTH without finishing the mission.

2. Lack of redundant sensors

While there really isn't any way to address this by adding more hardware (I don't think this thing could take much of a payload at all seeing as how it only weighs around 300 grams) there is the ability to be conscious of this and pay more attention to your logs and errors to make sure you don't push your luck and one of the sensors goes out while you are in a bad place.

3. Shorter flight times

This one is a bit of a pain, but the easy answer is to just buy more batteries. If you need to fly a longer mission it looks like the Autopilot software will enable to you start and stop at "checkpoints" throughout the campaign. Breaking up a larger mission will allow you to change batteries, allow things to cool down (or heat up depending on climate), and readjust your ground position if needed.

4. Shorter transmission distance

Short transmission distance in this case means 1.2 miles (in ideal conditions), so in reality this will probably never really be an issue since the short battery life will dictate that you can't fly that far away to begin with. But if it does every become an issue then there are ways to boost your signal. I have heard that people get fairly good results with a simple parabolic reflector on the RC. That is on my list of things to test if I ever run into signal issues.


So, where do I go from here? Right now it is freezing outside and I am still in the research phase. I plan on creating missions in Autopilot to collect photographs with a high level of overlap and then feed the images into Drone2Map from Esri. From there I will see what kind of outputs I can get, from just normal orthophotographs to point clouds and 3D models. Just will have to wait and see.

Let me know if you have any (relevant) thoughts, questions, or suggestions.

Jeff

Did you do the tests? I use GIS in my trade as a terrestrial/marine environmental impact mitigation specialist. I acquired a Spark in March. I bought it to fly more often (its size allows that quite easily) and because it is more portable than the Phantom 2 that I started aerial imaging with. I too am interested in determining whether or not the Spark could be used for mapping......because I have it and because my data productions do not require survey grade accuracy.

 

[SpatialProf]

I'm a specialist in geomatic survey, having started out with old school (manned) aerial survey and photogrammetry "back in the day" (analogue, analytical and finally digital). I'm now also a SUAS user and hold a CAA PfCO ticket. I survey in some very remote places around the world, which either require a helicopter/bush plane to get to (more expensive), or back-backing in and out again (cheaper). Carrying a tent, food and water is heavy and bulky enough, but a large commercial UAS is a killer. Therefore I have also been investigating the Spark for very remote, but also very small surveys. This is all about cost and being "fit for purpose". The endurance and camera of the Spark certainly are in such cases. I'm already successfully using one for full 3D modelling of objects in the built environment, but I'd like to use it for 2.5D modelling (i.e. DEM) and orthophoto mosaic generation. I'd like to hear from anyone who has successfully flown an autonomous survey flight with the Spark (perhaps using hacked code/apps, given the limitations of the Spark out-of-the-box). I'd love to learn how please... Many thanks in advance!

 

[UAV_Mapper]

I'd like to hear from anyone who has successfully flown an autonomous survey flight with the Spark

I know you're looking for information on the Spark, but you might also consider the Mavic Pro. It has a really small form factor, can be collapsed for packing, and I know people mapping with them as their daily UAV.

 

[R.Perry]

My thought is to give it a try, see if you can produce what you want, and if it works for you great.
As for mapping software I know Drone Deploy will allow you to break off a mission to change batteries then continue on where it left off.
I do mapping with the I2 and need to change batteries during the mapping.

Good luck, always like to see people explore new ideas.

 

[LUIS MARTINEZ]

My thought is to give it a try, see if you can produce what you want, and if it works for you great.
As for mapping software I know Drone Deploy will allow you to break off a mission to change batteries then continue on where it left off.
I do mapping with the I2 and need to change batteries during the mapping.

Good luck, always like to see people explore new ideas.

"break off a mission to change batteries then continue on where it left off." So will Maps Made Easy's Map Pilot.