• DroneLife
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Could Drones Come Jump Start Your Car When You’re Stranded? Ford’s New Patent

Ford Publishes Patent for Multiple Drones That Could Jump Start Vehicles

by DRONELIFE Staff Writer Ian M. Crosby

A patent originally filed on April 12th, 2017 by Ford Motor Company for multiple drones which could be used to jump start future Ford vehicles has been published and assigned serial number 11614063, as reported by Ford Authority.

Continue reading below, or listen:

Ford has filed several recent drone-related patents, including a jump start system using drones to charge Ford vehicles, as well as external jump start battery terminal hookups. Building upon these prior filings, the new patent details multiple drones for use in jump starting future Ford vehicles with dead batteries.

This new patent seeks to deploy the unmanned aircraft to assist motorists who are stranded with a dead battery, and who may lack access to a jump cable or another vehicle. Ford vehicles would have the ability to transmit a jump start request along with the vehicle’s current location, which would be received by one or more drones. Upon navigating to the location, the drones would then open the hood, form a connection with the vehicle’s battery, and provide a boost, allowing the motorist to continue their journey.

This application of drone technology could prove especially beneficial for motorists traveling in more rural locations, where contact with other vehicles is less frequent.

Read more:

Ian attended Dominican University of California, where he received a BA in English in 2019. With a lifelong passion for writing and storytelling and a keen interest in technology, he is now contributing to DroneLife as a staff writer.

Miriam McNabb is the Editor-in-Chief of DRONELIFE and CEO of JobForDrones, a professional drone services marketplace, and a fascinated observer of the emerging drone industry and the regulatory environment for drones. Miriam has penned over 3,000 articles focused on the commercial drone space and is an international speaker and recognized figure in the industry.  Miriam has a degree from the University of Chicago and over 20 years of experience in high tech sales and marketing for new technologies.
For drone industry consulting or writing, Email Miriam.

TWITTER:@spaldingbarker

Subscribe to DroneLife here.

• TheDroneBlog
• Posted By

How to Record on the DJI Avata (Step-by-Step Guide)

Do FPV drones have cinematic recording capabilities? Well, the DJI Avata does. This drone camera can record videos in an ultra-high resolution providing beautiful footage without editing.

How to record on the DJI Avata?

On the Goggles 2 touch panel, swipe down with one finger from the top to access the shortcut menu. Tap the video camera icon, and the drone will start recording. The DJI Avata has an auto-record function enabled by default. If you don’t disable this before takeoff, it will start recording.

In this article, we’ll clarify how to record videos with your DJI Avata in detail. We’ll explain when you should use each recording option.

So let’s start!

Recording with the DJI Avata: Step-by-step

Capturing video with this drone is simple, and you can do it in two ways.

You can either record with the drone camera or with the Goggles.

The Goggles will screen record so you’ll see the home screen parameters like speed, height, and battery life in the final video.

By default, the drone comes with the camera recording function enabled. The reason is that the DJI Avata has 20GB of internal storage, but the Goggles don’t.

We’ll explain how to record from the camera, the Goggles, and both.

Notice you must have already paired the Goggles with your drone and RC.

Method 1: Record from the Avata camera

Before recording with the drone camera, please verify the auto-recording feature status.

1. Put on your Goggles 2.
2. Find the touch panel on the right side of the Goggles 2.
3. Swipe your finger from the forward edge to the center to access the menu.
4. Swipe your finger down from the top edge until you highlight in yellow the Settings icon. Tap it.
5. Swipe your finger down from the top edge until you highlight in yellow the Camera option. Tap it.
6. Swipe your finger down from the top edge until you highlight the Advanced Settings option in yellow. Tap it.
7. Find the auto-recording on takeoff feature. It should be enabled in green.
8. If you want to disable it, tap this option once. The green button changes to grey, indicating the function is off.

You can also use the FPV Goggles V2 with the Avata. The process differs slightly, using a joystick instead of a touchpad.

1. Put on your FPV Goggles V2.
2. Find the 5D joystick on the right side of the FPV Goggles V2.
3. Press this button once to access the menu.
4. Move the joystick down until you highlight in yellow the Settings icon. Press it.
5. Move the joystick down until you highlight in yellow the Camera option. Press it.
6. Move the joystick down until you highlight in yellow the Advanced Settings option. Press it.
7. Find the auto-recording on takeoff feature. It should be enabled in green.
8. If you want to disable it, press the joystick once. The green button changes to grey, indicating the function is off.

Auto-recording enabled

After you ensure this function is on when using the motion controller:

1. Press the red lock button twice to start the engines.
2. Now hold down the red lock button to hover the Avata.
3. The camera starts recording immediately after these steps.

Or, if you are using the DJI FVP Remote Controller 2:

1. Push both RC joysticks diagonally to the center down. After two seconds, the engines start.
2. Push the left joystick up to hover the Avata.
3. The camera starts recording immediately after these steps.

Auto-recording disabled

You can start recording with the auto-recording feature disabled with the motion controller, FPV Remote Controller 2, Goggles 2, or FPV Goggles V2.

After you ensure this function is off and using the motion controller:

1. Press the red lock button twice to start the engines.
2. Now hold down the red lock button to hover the Avata.
3. Ensure your drone is in recording mode. The video camera icon must be in red. If the camera is in photo mode, change it to video by holding down the grey with a red dot button with your thumb. You can locate this shutter/record button on the right side of the controller while holding it.
4. Then press the shutter/record button once to start recording.

If you’re using the DJI FVP Remote Controller 2:

1. Push both RC joysticks diagonally to the center down. After two seconds, the engines start.
2. Push the left joystick up to hover the Avata.
3. Ensure your drone is in recording mode.
4. Hold down the forward right trigger to change between photo and video mode. Choose video mode.
5. Press the forward right trigger or shutter/record button to start recording.

Or you can start the camera recording with the Goggles.

When using Goggles 2, follow these steps:

1. Find the touch panel on the right side of the Goggles 2.
2. Swipe your finger from the top edge to the center to access the shortcut menu.
3. By default, the first option is the video recorder highlighted in red.
4. Tap it once, and the camera starts recording.

If you use the FVP Goggles V2, follow these steps:

1. Find the shutter/record button on the right-top side of the FVP Goggles V2. It is grey with a red dot button.
2. Hold it down to change from photo to video mode if necessary.
3. Press the shutter/record button, and the camera starts recording.

Method 2: Record the Goggles screen

To record the camera view with the Goggles, first install a compatible microSD card. On both units, the microSD card slot is on the right lower side.

Only insert the microSD when the Goggles are off.

Now it’s time to enable the Goggle screen recording function with the Goggles 2. Here’s how:

1. Find the touch panel on the right side of the Goggles 2.
2. Swipe your finger from the forward edge to the center to access the menu.
3. Swipe your finger down from the top edge until you highlight in yellow the Settings icon. Tap it.
4. Swipe your finger down from the top edge until you highlight in yellow the Camera option. Tap it.
5. Swipe your finger down from the top edge until you highlight the Advanced Settings option in yellow. Tap it.
6. Tap the Record With option. Then swipe down through the list and tap the Goggles option.
7. If you want to quit the parameters from the recorded video, tap the Camera View Recording once. It will change from green to grey, stating the function is now disabled.

Now you can start recording the screen view with all parameters or without them as follows:

1. Find the touch panel on the right side of the Goggles 2.
2. Swipe your finger from the top edge to the center to access the shortcut menu.
3. By default, the first option is the video recorder highlighted in red.
4. Tap it once, and the camera starts recording.

Or if you use the FVP Goggles V2:

1. Put on your FPV Goggles V2.
2. Find the 5D joystick on the right side of the FPV Goggles V2.
3. Press this button once to access the menu.
4. Move the joystick down until you highlight in yellow the Settings icon. Press it.
5. Move the joystick down until you highlight in yellow the Camera option. Press it.
6. Move the joystick down until you highlight in yellow the Advanced Settings option. Press it.
7. Press the joystick to enter the Record With option. Move the joystick down and press it when in the Goggles option.
8. If you want to quit the parameters from the recorded video, press the Camera View Recording once. It will change from green to grey, stating the function is now disabled.

To start recording, you only need to follow these steps:

1. Find the shutter/record button on the right-top side of the FVP Goggles V2.
2. Hold it down to change from photo to video mode.
3. Press the shutter/record button, and the camera starts recording.

Should I record with the camera or Goggles?

Now that you know how to record with your DJI Avata and Goggles, let’s clarify the scenarios you can use each.

Goggles recording

Record the Goggles camera view to check your flight parameters, which can be helpful for warranty purposes or other situations.

Knowing the distance and altitude from the home point, you can locate your drone quickly if it crashes into a tree.

It’s also valuable for video tutorials that don’t need impressive resolutions, as you should consider that the recorded video is max 1080p60.

Aircraft recording

For capturing stunning cinematics, the drone camera option is the way.

You can consider the DJI Avata a Cinewhoop drone thanks to the impressive 4K@60 video recording with no perceived lag or visible frames.

While using this option, you can capture films using FPV maneuvers without worrying about blurring and lack of fidelity. You can follow and record a Dakar bike in the dunes while showing the breathtaking sunset.

You can also record video footage at 2.7K@100. This combo is ideal for high-fidelity cinematics in slow motion. You can shoot cars drifting and skateboarders doing tricks, making these scenes more exciting.

Ultimately, the DJI Avata can help you record cinematics you thought were only realistic in your dreams!

• TheDroneBlog
• Posted By

How to Activate the DJI Avata (Step-by-Step Guide)

As much as DJI tried to simplify FPV drones with their newest release, the Avata, setting it up may still be challenging, especially if you’ve never used drones before or are used to Mavics.

You get three components: a controller, drone, and goggles (unlike the Mavic, where you get the controller and the drone, which are often bound together during shipping).

How do you activate the DJI Avata?

You will get a prompt to log in when you first connect your drone to the goggles and controller. After that, the device will ask you to activate it. You can’t use the drone without activation, so follow all the setup steps correctly.

Keep reading for a detailed process of setting up and activating your new drone, taking your first flight, and some tips on getting the most out of the DJI Avata.

Unboxing the DJI Avata

In the package, you should find the following items (depending on the package you got):

• Motion controller (if you want the DJI FPV controller, you have to purchase it separately)
• DJI Goggles 2 or Goggles V2
• Three pairs of propellers
• A gimbal cover
• Screwdriver
• A battery for the goggles
• Screws
• Eyeglass frames for the goggles
• Power adapter
• Type C to Type C cable
• Headband, OTG cable, screen protector, and power cable for the goggles
• Screws

Charging the batteries

To activate the Avata, you need to power it on, but when you try that for the first time, it won’t work since the batteries are in hibernation mode. You have to charge them first.

Plug in the controller, drone battery (using the power adapter), and goggles’ battery to a power source and give them some time to charge.

The drone and goggles’ batteries should take at least 50 minutes to charge to 100 percent, but the motion controller can take up to 2.5 hours.

The DJI Fly App

The Avata uses a newer version of the DJI Fly App. If you don’t already have the app, you can download it from DJI’s official website in the downloads section.

If you use other DJI drones and already have the DJI Fly App, it would be better to uninstall and reinstall it to ensure you have the latest version that will support the Avata.

The DJI Avata activation process

The DJI Avata and the Goggles 2 must be activated before you can fly. Luckily, you can activate them simultaneously.

1. Connect the goggles’ battery to the goggles using the cables provided.
2. Connect your smartphone to the goggles using the OTG and USB-C cable.
3. Power up the goggles by pressing once, then a second time, and hold.
4. You may get a prompt to set the USB device to transfer files.
5. Power up your drone by pressing once, hold for a few seconds, and do the same for the controller you will use.
6. Open the DJI Fly App.
7. You will be asked to create one if you don’t already have a DJI account. If you already have one, you will be asked to log in. Ensure to check your email for the activation of the account.
8. Once logged in, if the app detects the goggles, you will get a prompt to activate the device. The activation process should take a few seconds, and it will update all the devices together.
9. If you have the DJI Care Refresh, bind and activate it after the activation process or within 48 hours.

Connecting the DJI Avata

Once you power up the drone and open the app for the first time, you will see a Connection Guide at the bottom left.

Click on it and scroll to your drone model. It should guide you to connect to your drone as it searches for it at the bottom.

If it doesn’t find it, you will get the notification “Unable to connect to aircraft.” Click on this notification, then tap “Pair” to reattempt the connection and follow the prompts.

Below is how you manually pair your Avata to the controller and goggles.

1. Tap the Unable to Connect the Aircraft notification.
2. Tap and hold the drone’s power button for four seconds, then click on Pair.
3. Once it’s done, a screen with the controllers will pop up. Select the controller you’re using.
4. For the Motion controller, press the Power button and hold and tap and hold on the drone for four seconds and tap Pair on the screen.
5. Do the same for the goggles. The connection button for the DJI Goggles 2 is in the goggles between the lenses, but in the Goggles V2, it’s on the lower right section.

Firmware updates for the DJI Avata

Before you go flying, updating your drone’s firmware to the latest version is always advisable. After connecting, the app will prompt you to update the firmware if there are any inconsistencies with the firmware versions between the drone, controller, and goggles.

It’s best to always update the DJI Avata’s firmware within 10 minutes of powering the drone up. The drone will shut down or go into power-saving mode if you wait too long to prevent overheating.

If you don’t get any prompt to update the firmware, you can check for any new versions and update using the DJI Assistant 2.

Ensure all devices are fully charged before starting the update, and do not power any off before the update process is complete.

DJI Avata flight preparations

Below is how to get started flying the DJI Avata.

• Make sure the SD card and USB ports on the drone are covered.
• Detach the gimbal cover and insert the drone battery.
• Confirm the battery is fully charged and power up the drone.
• Check the battery level of the controller and power it up.
• Ensure the goggles’ battery is fully charged, connect it to the goggles, and switch them on.

Prepare the goggles:

1. Unfold the goggles, remove the protector, add the head strap, and adjust it so it fits comfortably.
2. You should also adjust the dials to make sure you can see the live footage clearly.
3. The goggles have an adjustable diopter range from -8 to +2.0 to accommodate nearsighted or farsighted people.
4. To adjust the distance between the lenses, twist them slightly to the left, then toggle them until you achieve an aligned image.
5. Next, adjust the diopter knob with each eye closed at a time.
6. To avoid visual fatigue, after achieving the ideal setting, turn the knobs in reverse slightly to achieve a slight blur.
7. After you’re done, press the knobs back and twist them to lock them.
8. On the right edge of the goggles is the touch panel that allows you to access and scroll through the available settings.
9. Check for any notifications or errors on the screen. If there aren’t any, you should be able to take off.

DJI Avata flight safety tips

The Avata comes with a Motion Controller, which has an intuitive and immersive design and a learning curve since it’s different from other controllers.

The main features include the following:

• Lock button – This is the red button on the front. It’s the button to arm the drone, disarm, take off, and land.

• Brake – The large black button to the right of the lock button makes the aircraft stop and hover immediately.

• Mode button – It’s below the lock button and allows you to switch between Normal and Sport Modes.

• Accelerator – This is the large button that looks like a trigger on the back of the controller. You’ll use it to increase or decrease the drone’s speed.

• Tilt – The button to adjust the gimbal’s tilt is on the left.

• Shutter button – Below the Tilt button is the Shutter record button.

• On the right is the Power button.

Below is how you fly the DJI Avata with the Motion Controller.

1. Press the Lock button twice to arm the drone, then press and hold, and the drone will take off and hover at about three feet from the ground.
2. To pitch forward, press the accelerator button. To turn sideways or up and down, turn the motion controller with your hand. Look for a circle dot in the goggles; that guides you in directing the drone where to go.
3. When pressing the accelerator, lift your arm, and the drone will ascend, and when you lower your arm, the drone will descend.
4. You can stop the drone by releasing the accelerator or pressing the brake button.
5. Pressing and holding the Brake button initiates RTH. Pressing it once will cancel the RTH.
6. After every flight, clean the drone of any dirt or debris to prevent blockages in the vent.

• TheDroneBlog
• Posted By

DJI Mini 3 / Mini 3 Pro: How to Register (Video)

One of the appealing things about the Mini 3 and Mini 3 Pro is that they are both sub-250g drones. This is great for countries that might require hobbyists to fly drones in this weight class.

In the United States, sub-250g drones are wildly popular because it means hobbyists do not need to register them. If the Mini 3/ Mini 3 Pro is being used commercially, it must be registered.

This article and the included YouTube video will serve as a step-by-step guide, going through the entire drone registration process, for both recreational flyers and commercial drone operators.

When to Register

As mentioned, the Mini 3 and Mini 3 Pro do not need to be registered if you are flying them for recreational purposes only, as many hobbyists do.

However, there are those that choose to register their Mini drones, regardless if registration is needed or not.

Then there are those that must register the Mini 3 Pro. These are those individuals that are planning to use the Mini 3 for commercial purposes:

• All drones must be registered, except those that weigh 0.55 pounds or less (less than 250 grams) and are flown exclusively under the Exception for Recreational Flyers.
• Drones registered under part 107 may be flown for recreational purposes as well as under part 107.
• Drones registered under the Exception for Recreational Flyers cannot be flown for Part 107 operations.

Federal Aviation Authority (FAA)

In short, if the Mini 3 or Mini 3 Pro is going to be flown commercially or for the furtherance of business, it will need to be registered under the umbrella of the owner’s Part 107 certificate.

» MORE: FAA Part 107 for Commercial Drone Pilots (Step-by-Step Guide)

» MORE: Can the DJI Mini 3 Pro Be Used Professionally?

How to Register the Mini 3 / Mini 3 Pro

Step 1: On a PC or Mac, open an internet browser (Edge, Chrome, Firefox).

Step 2: In your web browser’s search bar, type in FAA Drone Zone and choose FAADroneZone Access – Home. You will be brought to the FAAs drone-related page.

STEP 3: On the left side of the screen you will see Register Your Drone, click on Create Account.

STEP 4: After being brought to the Create Account screen, enter all of your pertinent personal information, including a working email (as this will be used for login purposes) and a strong password for the account.

You will be sent a verification email to the email address used to create the Drone Zone account.

STEP 5: Log in to the email account you used to open your DroneZone account, then open the email from UAS.FAADroneZone@faa.gov. Click on Verify Account. You will be brought back to the FAA Drone Zone site.

STEP 6: After verification is successful, click on Back to Login.

STEP 7: Log in to the FAA Drone Zone site, using the verified account credentials you set up earlier. You’ll now be brought to the FAADroneZone Services page, where you can select various services.

STEP 8: Press +Add a Service, then select the Drone Owners and Pilots Service button. Now press the Add Service button at the bottom of the screen.

You’ll be brought back to the main FAADroneZone Services screen, with the Drone Owners and Pilots service populating your Service box.

STEP 9: Press the Launch Drone Owners and Pilots Dashboard button.

You’ll be brought to the Account Types area, where you can register your drone under either a Part 107 or Recreational Flyer account.

For Part 107 Registration

STEP 10: If you will be registering your Mini 3 or Pro under a Part 107 account, choose Set Up Part 107 account. You will be asked to fill in your Part 107 Profile. If you are registering as a hobbyist, scroll down for the For Recreational Flying instructions.

After the Part 107 profile section is completely filled out, select Proceed to Dashboard at the bottom of the page.

STEP 11: On the Dashboard, select Manage Device Inventory on the Inventory portion of the dashboard on the left-hand side of the screen.

You’ll see your Shopping Cart and Registered Inventory are both empty.

STEP 12: Press Add Device on the upper right-hand side of the page. Here you will input all of the information for your Mini 3. After this is entered, press Add Device.

You’ll then get a message that the device has been added to your shopping cart and you’ll be brought back to your shopping cart.

STEP 13: At the Shopping Cart screen, Press Checkout.

STEP 14: On the next screen, Acknowledgement of FAA Requirements, check the small box at the bottom and hit Next.

This will send you through the steps to make your payment for the registration, which is $5 and is valid for three years.

For Recreational Flying

If you are registering as a hobbyist, choose Set Up Recreational Flyer Account.

STEP 11: Completely fill out the Recreational Flyers Profile and press Proceed to Checkout.

STEP 12: On the next screen, Acknowledgement of FAA Requirements, check the small box at the bottom and hit Next.

STEP 13: You’ll now be brought to an Inventory page. You’ll see your Inventory is empty. Press Add Device.

STEP 14: Input all of the information for your Mini 3. After this is entered, press Add Device.

You’ll receive an acknowledgment that a device has been added to your inventory.

STEP 15: Press Next while on the Inventory Page.

This will send you through the steps to make your payment for the registration, which is $5 and is valid for three years.

After these steps have been taken, whether as Part 107 or as a Recreational flyer, you can freely go into the FAADroneZone site dashboard and manage, add/or delete drones as you buy and sell them, as well as view lots of other drone-related information tied to your specific account.

• SUASNews
• Posted By

One hundred drones now used across IKEA retail for stock inventory

One hundred autonomous drones are now flying in IKEA stores – the latest in IKEA Zaventem, Belgium – with Ingka Group being the first retailer to use such solution successfully at scale for stock inventory.

IKEA is constantly looking for new opportunities to innovate and create an even better experience for customers across channels. Two years ago, Ingka Group and the Supply Chain Development Team at Inter IKEA Group, together with Verity, a provider of indoor drone systems, started developing a fully autonomous drone solution to track inventory and improve the well-being of its co-workers on the floor.

• DroneLife
• Posted By

EASA High Level Conference on Drones: Drone Strategy Makes Europe “A Safe and Attractive Place” for Investment

The EASA High Level Conference on Drones opened today in Amsterdam.  Over the next several days, regulators and stakeholders from Europe and around the world will discuss what comes next for European drone regulations.

Continue reading below, or listen:

This year’s theme for the conference is “Back to the Future of Safe UAS Regulations:” EASA Executive Director Patrick Ky says the theme points to the value of keeping sight of the progress made in drone regulations so far. “It’s good to have a look back at what we did – so that we can look forward to what we plan to do in the future.”

The publication of the European Drone Strategy 2.o: “A Drone Strategy 2.0 for a Smart and Sustainable Unmanned Aircraft Eco-System in Europe” was a major milestone for EASA in 2023.  Henrik Hololei, European Commission, Director General for Mobility and Transport says that the document’s 19 flagship recommendations and risk-based operational approach were developed with two objectives: to develop a predictable regulation environment that supports development and investment in the drone industry, and to strengthen Europe’s defense network.

Regulation development means working to achieve “the highest level of safety, with the lowest level of obstacles,” Hololei said.  “You have to get the balance right… by overregulation, we could actually put a stop to development.”

The focus on creating a strong drone ecosystem in Europe is evident in Hololei’s remarks.  “The European Union will stay at the forefront of the development of the drone industry,” Hololei said.  “…Europe will be an attractive and safe place for drone startups and investment.”

2030: the Future Vision

EASA expects to meet major milestones over the next 2 years: including the development of Innovative Air Mobility (IAM) transportation solutions and the regulations and infrastructure – such as vertiports – to support new aircraft.  Europe expects to issue the first airworthiness certificates for eVTOLs in 2023, and the development of an online hub accessible to city planners, aviation stakeholders, and citizens.

The plan for fully integrating both small and large drones into the airspace is focused on 2030, when regulators say that drones will be an aspect of the lives of most European citizens; and the drone industry will employ more than 145,000 people in the EU.

“I’m more than optimistic that this will happen,” said Holelei.  And, referring to the development of regulations that will support the industry: “You can count on the full support of the European Commission.”

With the Drone Strategy 2.0 to serve as a compass for future regulation development, Hololei says that Europe has the tools to be a leader in the industry.

“This framework puts Europe in front of the rest of the world,”  Hololein. “The EU has taken the global lead in developing regulations for all kinds of drone operations… it’s now very much in the hands of our member states.”

“This strategy is a great achievement, a design for our tasks going forward,” says Ky.  “We hope we’ve fulfilled the needs of the drone community, and can help the drone industry develop moving forward,” Ky said.

Read more:

Miriam McNabb is the Editor-in-Chief of DRONELIFE and CEO of JobForDrones, a professional drone services marketplace, and a fascinated observer of the emerging drone industry and the regulatory environment for drones. Miriam has penned over 3,000 articles focused on the commercial drone space and is an international speaker and recognized figure in the industry.  Miriam has a degree from the University of Chicago and over 20 years of experience in high tech sales and marketing for new technologies.
For drone industry consulting or writing, Email Miriam.

TWITTER:@spaldingbarker

Subscribe to DroneLife here.

• TheDroneBlog
• Posted By

DJI Avata for Real Estate (Explained)

Drones have revolutionized the real estate industry, but one aspect that many real estate videographers wanted was the ability to do interior shots with a drone.

Those with Mavics are afraid of crashing the drone into walls, and the only viable option is using Cinewhoop FPV drones with a steep learning curve.

But the newest FPV drone from DJI, the Avata, seeks to bridge that gap.

So, what makes the DJI Avata suitable for real estate?

While the DJI Avata may not replace other drones or gear you may use to create videos for real estate, it makes interior shots easier and faster, even for people who have never flown an FPV drone.

Make sure you keep reading to learn how to use Avata for real estate.

Why the DJI Avata is suitable for real estate

Below are some reasons to add Avata to your arsenal as a real estate videographer.

Ease of use

As mentioned earlier, many real estate videographers wish to use a drone for indoor shots, but you don’t just take a Cinewhoop or FPV drone and start flying it on the same day.

Unlike regular photography drones with GPS, altitude hold, obstacle avoidance, and other sensors, traditional FPV drones tend to be more complex.

They often can’t maintain their altitude, and the pilot has to keep balancing the height with the controls.

The Avata eliminates that since it has a position-hold feature in Normal and Sport Modes. This gives a beginner enough time to figure out the controls.

The rates are also pre-set, and the drone will be good to fly right out of the box, unlike traditional FPV drones that need assembling, customizing, and setting the rates, all of which take time and aren’t always easy to do.

Durability

Drones like the DJI Mavic 3, the ultimate professional photography and videography drone, are not meant to fly indoors.

The size, sensors, and design make it difficult for them to do so, increasing the chances of crashing.

You could get a smaller drone, like the DJI Mini 2, but it may not give you the quality footage you want, and propeller guards aren’t always reliable.

The Avata features a compact design with enclosed propeller guards. Unless you fly too fast, if you bump into anything, the guards keep the props intact, and you get to keep going.

Its weight and compact design allow it to fit in tight spaces and minimize the impact in case of a crash, reducing the chances of damage.

Convenience

One thing about the Avata is that it’s conveniently designed to work in the real estate setting, mainly for giving interior virtual tours.

Why? For starters, it lacks obstacle avoidance sensors. While the lack of sensors may be bad for a photography drone, it’s actually good for an FPV drone.

Obstacle avoidance and vision sensors prevent the drone from crashing into something, but houses are filled with things you can bump into, making the flight jerky, and the footage may not be usable.

Good quality video

The Avata shoots at 4K at 60 fps, which is good enough to get you started, and you can take quality footage to add to the videos from other cameras.

It also comes with RockSteady and HorizonSteady image stabilization, and DJI has also made it possible to run the footage through Gyroflow for better stabilization.

Further, the camera has an AUTO setting if you are unsure which settings to use.

However, a GoPro camera has some benefits over Avata’s built-in camera.

For instance, you get more customization settings, such as adjusting the frame rates, bitrates, resolution, and more options for stabilizing the footage.

So, to get professional-looking footage, you may need to add another camera.

Luckily, mounts are now available, allowing you to mount an extra camera without adding too much weight to the drone.

You can also get a stripped-down version of the GoPro, like the ones designed by FlyWoo.

They design an ultralight camera based on the GoPro version you are looking for, which is perfect for FPV and won’t weigh down your drone.

Having two cameras, the one on the Avata and the GoPro, also allows you to have two aspect ratios to use as you wish.

Battery management

Dealing with batteries in traditional FPV is a scary venture. You must know how to charge, discharge, and even unplug them when fully charged.

LiPos are very sensitive, and one slight mistake and the batteries could burn down your or the client’s house.

DJI makes it easy by building intelligent batteries that will stop charging if they are fully charged and auto-discharge if left fully charged for a long time.

If you’re not experienced in dealing with FPV drone batteries but still want a drone in your gear, the DJI Avata is a perfect choice.

Excellent range and image transmission

While traditional FPV drones allow you to choose the flight system to use and extend the range and transmission, the Avata has a robust transmission system right out of the box, the latest OcuSync 03+.

This gives a range of up to 6.2 miles in FCC regions.

While you don’t need that much range for FPV flights, you will require a powerful connection touring a house where walls will come between you and your drone, allowing you to film most of the house in one place.

Longer flight time

Most FPV drones will give you a maximum of 10 minutes of flight time, but the Avata comes with 16 to 18 minutes in the air.

With at least three batteries, proper flight planning, and 50 minutes of charging time, you will rarely run out of batteries.

Drawbacks of using the DJI Avata for real estate

Below are some reasons the DJI Avata may not be the best for your drone real estate ventures.

Video resolution

As I mentioned earlier, while the Avata has a good camera, it’s not the best, and you can get better with a GoPro mounted on a cheaper Cinewhoop.

This means you will incur extra costs for better cameras to mount on an already expensive drone.

Geofencing

Besides not having the best video resolution quality, the Geofencing in the DJI Avata is also quite annoying.

While it keeps you out of trouble by not flying in restricted areas, when you have the authorization, it may take time to get approval from DJI, wasting time you could be flying.

How can you use the DJI Avata for real estate?

As mentioned, the Avata will not replace your other cameras or drones. However, it’s pretty good at making virtual tours of homes look more cinematic.

You can fly in and out of the house, showing great views, the home’s interior, the backyard, and the surrounding scenery all in one flight.

With that in mind, below are some tips to get the most out of the DJI Avata when creating real estate videos.

• Plan your flight – Before you start flying, survey the house, and plan your shots so that you can produce cinematic footage.

  When planning, also find the area with the least interference where you will get a consistent, high-quality transmission from any point in the house.

• Use ND filters – These may not always be necessary, but they can be helpful when it’s too bright, or there is too much reflection. In most cases, an ND4 will suffice.

• Get a battery lock – One of the DJI Avata’s flaws is the battery seems secure but could easily come off. You can get a battery lock device to firmly secure the battery, especially during rigorous flights.

• Spare batteries – Get several batteries so that you are not always rushing to create footage as fast as possible, afraid you will run out of time before recharging the battery.

• SUASNews
• Posted By

HoverUAV – Australian Drone Noise Approvals

Drones have become increasingly popular in Australia, with more and more people using them for various purposes. However, this rise in drone usage has also raised concerns about the noise they create. The Australian Government has established regulations for drone noise, and in some cases, individuals or organisations can apply for an exemption to these regulations. Australian Drone Noise Approvals can be found here

If you’re a drone operator in Australia, it’s important to know that you must apply for approval under the Noise Regulations. The grace period for adjusting to the new regulatory framework ended on July 1st, 2022. However, most drone operators will likely be exempt or automatically granted approval. For complex or large operations, operators may need to undergo a more detailed assessment before obtaining approval from the department on the Drones.gov.au website. Dones.gov.au is an official website of the Australian Government created to provide information and guidelines related to the use of drones or remotely piloted aircraft systems (RPAS) in Australia. The website aims to educate and inform drone operators about the regulations on safe and lawful drone operations, privacy, and noise. 

Applying for Australian Drone Noise approvals?

You may need to seek approval under the Noise Regulations if:

• You are flying for a commercial purpose and/or you have been issued a remotely piloted aircraft operator’s certificate (ReOC) (visit CASA’s website).

You do not need to seek approval under the Noise Regulations if:

• You are flying for fun or recreation

• You are flying for a commercial purpose in the ‘Excluded RPA’ category (please see CASA’s Plain English Guide for Micro and Excluded RPA operations for more information)

• You only fly drones that weigh 250 grams or less

• You only fly drones under standard operating conditions (visit CASA’s website)

• You only fly drones for one or more of the following purposes:

• Agricultural operations

• Environmental operations

• Fire-fighting, medical, emergency, or policing purposes

It is recommended you fill out the Self-assessment application form for Australian Drone Noise Approvals located at https://www.drones.gov.au/recreational/noise. You only need to complete this form once to cover your expected and typical drone operations over the next 12 months. If you are not sure about the details of the operations you may be conducting over the next year, answer the questions to the best of your knowledge. If the nature of your operations changes significantly over the next 12 months, you should complete the form again or provide additional information to the department to maintain a valid approval. Details of your obligations will be provided as part of your approval. During the self-assessment form, you will be asked a series of questions on the sort of operations and if your drone operations will impact noise-sensitive areas.

The Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communication, and the Arts defines noise-sensitive sites and impacts as:

Noise-sensitive sites are locations that are used for purposes sensitive to noise. This includes:

• Residential buildings

• Schools and places of education including preschools and childcare centers

• Hospitals, aged care facilities, and other health-related facilities

• Places of worship

• Places of temporary residence including hotels and motels

• Cultural sites

• Public recreational buildings and places, e.g., open theatres and amphitheaters.

In determining whether your drone operations are likely to have an impact on noise-sensitive sites, you should take into account the following factors:

• If noise from your drone operation can be clearly heard at the noise-sensitive site, then it can be considered to have an impact. 

Example: A drone operator is inspecting construction works that are next to some apartments. If the drone operator is only flying during the day while construction work is occurring, the drone is unlikely to impact the surrounding residences due to the background construction noise you should answer no it does not have an impact however. If the drone is flying at night, the drone operation would likely have an impact on the surrounding residences as there would be no background construction noise you should answer yes it would have an impact.

However, even if you are operating in a noise-sensitive area and will have a noise impact, it does not necessarily mean that you will be exempt from the noise regulations. You will need to determine if your drone operation will have a noise impact on the same noise-sensitive site(s) on an ongoing basis. To determine this, you need to base it on your typical operations or current plans for the next 12 months.

Drone operations should be considered to have an impact on an ongoing basis if they impact the same sensitive site at least four times per week on average over a period of at least 1 month. 

For example, a drone delivery service regularly operates in the same suburb. Some properties in this suburb will likely be affected by drones flying overhead or providing deliveries to their neighbors on a regular basis. This operator will then have an impact on an ongoing basis. However, a commercial real-estate photographer takes photographs of different houses on a regular basis. The drone operations will impact different sites each day but will not impact the same site on an ongoing basis.

Once you have completed the required form, you will receive a notification about your exemption status. As previously mentioned, the majority of drone operations in Australia will be exempt from noise regulations. An exemption email will be sent to you, which should be kept on file or included in your CASA operation manual (in approvals/exemptions) and renewed annually or if your assessment changes.

Furthermore, the Australian Government is developing a comprehensive outcomes-based Noise Framework for emerging aviation technologies. This framework will incorporate consistent procedures for measuring the noise output of new technologies, noise impact modeling at ground level, noise-based regulations, standard noise threshold settings developed through consultation with local, state, and territorial governments, and the consideration of noise impacts associated with drones and electric vertical take-off and landing vehicles as part of the Infrastructure Planning Framework.

In conclusion, complying with drone noise regulations is crucial for safe and lawful drone operations in Australia. By understanding the regulations, monitoring noise emissions, and applying for an exemption if necessary, drone operators can ensure they are operating within the law and minimising the impact of their drones on the public and wildlife.

About the author

Hover UAV is a leading drone consulting company based in Australia. With years of experience in the industry, we specialise in providing expert advice and support to drone operators of all levels, from beginners to advanced professionals. Our team of experienced and certified drone pilots has a passion for helping our clients achieve their goals safely and efficiently. We are committed to staying up-to-date with the latest drone regulations and technologies, and we take pride in providing exceptional customer service to our clients. If you have any questions or need assistance with drone operations, don’t hesitate to contact us at Hover UAV.

• SUASNews
• Posted By

Hydrogen power for delivery drones: Wingcopter and ZAL GmbH start joint development

Weiterstadt/Hamburg, Germany — Wingcopter, the German developer and operator of delivery drones, and Hamburg-based ZAL Center of Applied Aeronautical Research GmbH have announced a development partnership. Together, they intend to explore the potential of green hydrogen to power Wingcopter’s drones, which are already purely electric, and develop a sustainable, hydrogen-based propulsion system. The propulsion system will later be produced by Wingcopter itself and installed in its delivery drones.

By refitting the battery-powered Wingcopter 198 to run on hydrogen, the plan is for the drone to not only continue to fly emission-free in the future, but to become even more powerful. The Wingcopter already achieves higher ranges and speeds than most competitors’ models thanks to the added lift of its wings and its aerodynamic design. However, hydrogen propulsion could ensure even longer flight times and thus enable correspondingly greater distances for different delivery applications.

The project-related modification of the Wingcopter will take place at ZAL‘s Fuel Cell Lab in Hamburg. As part of the development partnership, a solution is being developed that will fit into the existing technical ecosystem of the Wingcopter delivery drone while preserving the characteristic flight capabilities of the Wingcopter. In the past, ZAL engineers have already been able to achieve a flight duration of over two hours with the company’s own ZALbatros hydrogen drone. This was achieved using compressed gaseous hydrogen in combination with a fuel cell. A comparable technology will also be used in the Wingcopter.

“We are very excited about the collaboration and are confident that together we can develop an even more efficient propulsion solution that benefits nature at the same time. We have always wanted the Wingcopter to be able to fly even further. However, we categorically ruled out the installation of a conventional combustion engine right from the start with a view to the environment and climate change. We are happy to now explore technical possibilities in the field of hydrogen propulsion together with the ZAL experts and then put the best concept into practice,” explains Wingcopter co-founder and CEO Tom Plümmer.

Roland Gerhards, CEO of ZAL GmbH, adds: “Our mission is to bring hydrogen into the air and create innovative solutions for sustainable aviation. With Wingcopter as our partner, we’re not only impressed by their drones’ flight performance, but also by their clear vision of how urban air mobility and especially drone delivery can help improve people’s lives. This aligns perfectly with ZAL’s values. With our expertise, we want to convert the Wingcopter to hydrogen and thus strengthen the Hamburg UAM network Windrove with another flagship project.”

About Wingcopter

Wingcopter is a German manufacturer of unmanned, all-electric delivery drones and provider of drone delivery services, specializing in improving medical supply chains and the logistics of urgently needed goods. The 150-strong team is dedicated to improving and saving lives worldwide through meaningful commercial and humanitarian applications. Wingcopter is a World Economic Forum Technology Pioneer.

Thanks to its patented tilt-rotor mechanism and proprietary software algorithms, the Wingcopter 198 can take off and land vertically like a multicopter, while flying long distances as efficiently and quickly as a fixed-wing aircraft, even in rain and wind.

Wingcopter’s investors include REWE Group, Salvia, XAI technologies, Xplorer Capital, Futury Capital, ITOCHU, DRONE FUND, SYNERJET, Expa, Hessen Kapital III, and Corecam Capital Partners.

About ZAL GmbH

The ZAL Center for Applied Aeronautical Research in Hamburg is one of the world’s most modern research facilities for aviation. On a total area of more than 26,000 m², the research center offers 600 employees from over thirty industrial and scientific organizations the most advanced infrastructures for joint research and development.

The heart of the research center is the ZAL GmbH team of about 60 people. Its task is to create the ideal conditions for applied aviation research. This includes the operation of the ZAL TechCenter as well as the provision of research facilities or events. In addition, a dedicated Research & Technology team of 40 scientists and engineers work on research and innovation projects and support partners to develop technological solutions.

• DroneLife
• Posted By

BRINC Drones on the Drone Radio Show Podcast

BRINC Drones on the Drone Radio Show Podcast, with BRINC CEO Blake Resnick and host Randy Goers.   Resnick talks about the company’s revolutionary LEMUR drone and he provides insights into how the company has become successful in supporting the mission of hundreds of public safety organizations around the world.

“An armed and dangerous person hiding out in a house, refusing to come out and resisting arrest – these are the wildly dangerous situations for everyone involved.  It’s very dangerous for public safety, very dangerous for the suspect, and dangerous for the general public that happens to live next door.” – Blake Resnick

Listen here:

Blake Resnick is CEO and Founder of BRINC.  BRINC designs, manufactures and sells sUAS systems to public safety departments worldwide. The company’s flagship product, the LEMUR, employs innovative solutions designed specifically for public safety and emergency situations.  Using lidar technology, the drone flies indoors with precision and unprecedented agility, and its two-way communication system allows first responders to hear and see through the drone. But this only scratches the surface of the drone’s capabilities.

Blake has the innate ability to define a problem, imagine a new approach and create a technology-based solution.   He started taking college courses at the age of 14, and then attended Northwestern’s McCormick School of Engineering. Before launching BRINC, Blake worked at McLaren Automotive, Tesla Motors, and DJI. He’s a member of the Thiel Fellowship’s class of 2020. Under Blake’s leadership, in just 2 ½ years, BRINC has become a leader of public safety UAS solutions worldwide.

He is currently working on an sUAS mesh system designed to respond to gunshot detections and 911 calls within seconds. When not enveloped in product development, he actively engages in recruiting, strategy development, internal communication, and fundraising.

Missed the last episode?  Catch up here:

Miriam McNabb is the Editor-in-Chief of DRONELIFE and CEO of JobForDrones, a professional drone services marketplace, and a fascinated observer of the emerging drone industry and the regulatory environment for drones. Miriam has penned over 3,000 articles focused on the commercial drone space and is an international speaker and recognized figure in the industry.  Miriam has a degree from the University of Chicago and over 20 years of experience in high tech sales and marketing for new technologies.
For drone industry consulting or writing, Email Miriam.

TWITTER:@spaldingbarker

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