Drone Deploy Mapping Demo Tutorial | DJI Mavic Pro

Summary

In this video, viewers learn how to use DroneDeploy to map and analyze agricultural fields, specifically corn and soybean fields. The tutorial covers setting up the software, planning a flight, capturing images, uploading and processing data, and analyzing results through various features such as 2D maps, 3D models, plant health analysis, and elevation maps. The video also provides helpful tips for measuring field areas, distance, and volume, and addresses pricing for DroneDeploy's Pro version. For those in need of assistance, the creator offers field scanning services and troubleshooting support.

Takeaways

• 😀 Set up your DroneDeploy mission by selecting your field location and adjusting the flight parameters like altitude and overlap.
• 😀 Ensure that your flight plan avoids flying over other people's property to maintain privacy and safety.
• 😀 Make sure to select a square corner to define the boundaries of your field for accurate mapping in DroneDeploy.
• 😀 Adjust flight altitude for optimal image quality and consistency, with 300 feet recommended for most cases.
• 😀 Use DroneDeploy’s software to upload images captured during flight, and process them for analysis.
• 😀 DroneDeploy's free version provides basic ortho-mosaic maps, but for full features like crop health analysis, a paid version is required.
• 😀 Plant health analysis is done through an RGB camera to generate NDVI imagery, which highlights areas of crop stress.
• 😀 Elevation analysis helps identify low and high spots in fields, which can be critical for understanding drainage and irrigation needs.
• 😀 The software allows users to drop pins on areas of interest to access specific images for better field diagnostics.
• 😀 DroneDeploy users can measure distances and areas directly on the map to estimate the impact of problem zones or plan for remediation.
• 😀 A 14-day free trial is available for new users, allowing them to test DroneDeploy’s capabilities before committing to the paid version.

Q & A

What is DroneDeploy and how is it useful for agricultural mapping?

DroneDeploy is a software that allows farmers and agricultural professionals to use drones for mapping their fields. It helps in analyzing crop health, identifying issues like plant stress or uneven terrain, and provides data that can guide better farming decisions. It's especially useful for creating high-resolution maps of fields and processing those images into actionable insights.

Do I need to create an account to use DroneDeploy?

Yes, you need to sign up for a DroneDeploy account. If you don’t have one, you can take advantage of a 14-day free trial to explore the features of the software before committing to a subscription.

How do I plan a flight for mapping a field using DroneDeploy?

To plan a flight, log into your DroneDeploy account, navigate to your dashboard, and click on 'Plan a Map Flight.' From there, you drag the map marker to the location of your field and adjust the map boundaries by dragging the corners of the field. It’s important to ensure the flight path covers the entire field, including any necessary overlaps for image stitching.

What is the importance of overlap in a drone flight plan?

Overlap in a flight plan is crucial for ensuring that the images captured by the drone can be stitched together seamlessly. The more overlap there is, the better the resulting map will be. However, too much overlap may waste time and battery power, so it’s essential to find a balance, particularly for the edge of the field where details might be missed.

What is the recommended altitude for flying a drone for agricultural mapping?

A flight altitude of 300 feet is recommended as it tends to provide more consistent photo quality for mapping purposes. Lower altitudes might result in more detailed images but can lead to image distortion, while higher altitudes may reduce image clarity.

What are the key settings I should check before starting the drone flight?

Before starting your flight, ensure that the drone is connected, the camera is functioning properly, and the controller is calibrated. Also, check the pre-flight checklist in the app to confirm that you're flying in a safe location and that all settings, including flight plan and permissions, are correct.

What should I do if the drone flight path goes over someone else's property?

If the drone flight path overlaps with private property, adjust the flight plan by dragging the map boundaries to avoid flying over those areas. It’s essential to be mindful of privacy concerns and avoid flying over sensitive locations whenever possible.

How long does it take to process the images from the drone flight?

The time to process the images can vary depending on the number of images taken and the complexity of the field. Generally, it takes about 2-3 hours for DroneDeploy to process the images and generate the map, although the time may be longer for larger fields or higher resolution settings.

What features are available in DroneDeploy after processing the flight data?

After processing, DroneDeploy offers several features such as 2D ortho-mosaic maps, 3D models, plant health analysis (using NDVI), elevation models, and the ability to drop pins on problem areas. These tools help analyze field conditions, detect issues, and make data-driven decisions to improve crop management.

What are ground control points (GCPs), and do I need them for my field mapping?

Ground control points (GCPs) are physical markers placed in the field that allow for more precise georeferencing of the drone’s images. These points are used to improve the accuracy of the map. While GCPs are not required, they can significantly enhance the quality and precision of the final map, especially for large or complex fields.

How can I measure specific areas or distances in the processed map?

In DroneDeploy, you can use the measurement tools to measure distances between points or areas of interest. By selecting the 'Distance' or 'Area' tool, you can click on two points to measure distance or draw a box around a problem area to calculate its size in acres or square feet.