A drone controlled by FlightOps software conducts a record-breaking medical equipment delivery flight. Photo courtesy of FlightOps.
HERZLIYA, Israel—An autonomous drone, controlled by FlightOps’ multi-drone operating system, recently performed Israel’s longest autonomous medical equipment delivery via air, the company announced. The drone, which operated beyond visual line of sight, successfully carried blood units over approximately 15.5 miles (25 kilometers).
In partnership with the Israeli Ministry of Health’s Medical Centers Division, the Galilee Medical Center used the FlightOps drone operating system to safely deliver medical equipment without compromising the quality of the samples. The drone, operated by DownWind, one of Israel’s largest commercial drone operating companies, transported blood units from the Rambam Medical Center Haifa to the heliport of the Galilee Medical Center. This is the longest distance any medical equipment has been transported by an unmanned aircraft in Israel.
According to Prof. Masaad Barhoum, director of the Galilee Medical Center, “Progress and technology are an integral part of our values. Within this framework, we place special emphasis on projects that combine innovation and bring value to the residents of the area.”
FlightOps’ co-founder, Ofer Haruvi, said, “The route from the Rambam Medical Center to the Galilee Medical Center in Nahariya constitutes a new record for a drone flight licensed by the Civil Aviation Authority for a distance of 25 kilometers in an urban area. We are happy that the technology developed by the company will be used to positively impact public health and supports a viable commercial business model.”
The FlightOps drone operating system was also used for a record-breaking flight for the second time in a public health mission within the last six months. In July 2022, the FlightOps system safely transported medical laboratory tests, including blood counts, urine tests and coagulation tests, between Hillel Yaffe Medical Center and Sha’ar Menashe Mental Health Center, over a distance of 9.7 miles (15.6 kilometers).
FlightOps OS is robotic software that can be installed on drones of any type, replacing human pilots with artificial intelligence. This enables enhanced onboard decision-making and lowers reliance on communication, reducing the exposure to human errors, the company said.
The FlightOps technology allows for automated mission planning and creates smart flight routes that avoid no-fly zones and ground and air obstacles. This allows for massive scalability in both the number and range of missions while reducing operating costs. FlightOps is a cloud-based software that enables drone and air mobility service providers to scale up their operations in terms of range and number of missions.
Montreux, Switzerland – TOPODRONE, a Swiss-based designer and manufacturer of high-precision surveying equipment, has synchronized airborne photogrammetry, and LiDAR and bathymetric surveying methods which was used to study a floating solar farm. The synchronization was performed upon a request from the Israeli drone service provider ERELIS to conduct a pilot project of reservoir surveying with a UAV for ETZ HADEKEL Ltd. in Northern Israel. The surface of the reservoir is covered by solar panels, which made it difficult to carry out work using standard methods of surveying from a boat.
ERELIS performed two-stage drone surveying to deliver a high-precision 3D model of the reservoir. First, aerial photogrammetry and LiDAR surveys were performed using a DJI M300 drone equipped with a TOPODRONE camera P61 and a LiDAR HI-RES system to determine the location of possible obstacles. LiDAR scanning provided accurate detection of cables in the water.
Second, an underwater bathymetric survey using a TOPODRONE AQUAMAPPER mounted to the same drone was conducted avoiding detected obstacles (cables, solar panels and other objects). The flight mission was planned and executed with the UgCS software by SPH Engineering.
The collected LiDAR & bathymetry data was processed by TOPODRONE Post Processing software. As a result, a georeferenced orthophoto map, a 3D model of the relief and objects, a 3D model of the bottom of the reservoir, contour lines and isobaths were generated. Such 3D models can be used for high-precision assessment of sediment volumes, general monitoring of reservoir banks and visual monitoring. In addition, surveying with a TOPODRONE AQUAMAPPER made it possible to estimate sludge deposits of the reservoir.
“Our company has been performing drone-based bathymetric surveying services for water reservoirs/basins and coastal waters since 2021. The unique ability to use the same UAV (DJI M300) with different kinds of TOPODRONE equipment, LiDAR HI-RES systems, a high resolution camera and AQUAMAPPER, makes it possible to unify equipment use, thereby reducing costs and eliminating the need for additional tools. The aerial and echo-sounding data synchronization at the post-processing stage helps to obtain the full geo-data package that could be used for survey and data digitization, modeling, mapping, aerial photogrammetry, quantities calculation or other output products by client demand,” commented Roman Kirsanov, CEO of ERELIS.
“Back in autumn 2022 we had our first AQUAMAPPER client that used the device together with TOPODRONE LiDAR ULTRA for an EU road construction project to build a highway in one of the toughest terrains with a river component in Romania, EU. We are proud to see clients developing new application areas of our equipment, including reservoir characterization and modeling,” added Maxim Baklykov, CEO of TOPODRONE.
TOPODRONE (https://topodrone.com/) is a Swiss based designer and manufacturer of high-precision surveying equipment for installation on UAVs, vehicles and backpacks. TOPODRONE’s hardware (LiDARs, high resolution cameras and PPK) are used for mapping and 3D modeling. Application areas include but are not limited to forest and agricultural monitoring, construction and urban planning, and bathymetry. TOPODRONE’s advanced post-processing software provides users with easy-to-use innovative data processing workflows for automatic data generation, georeferencing and alignment using GNSS and IMU data post processing, and SLAM algorithms.
My quadcopter is always my go-to equipment when I want to document memorable adventures with the glamorous aerial photos and videos drone cams can take. Throughout my travels, I have experienced varying regulations from country to country, with some not allowing drone use entirely.
Is Kenya one of them? Let’s find out.
You can bring an Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) or drone to Kenya if you’re a Kenyan citizen, resident, or company registered in a Kenyan county or national government. But some restrictions exist under the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA).
For a foreigner, it’s prohibited to bring a drone to Kenya. However, you can lease drones after acquiring a 30-day permit.
If you plan to fly a drone in Kenyan airspace, you should enlighten yourself with the rules and regulations before you take off.
Owning and operating a drone in Kenya
According to KCAA, you can only bring a drone to Kenya if you’re a Kenyan citizen. Foreigners are not allowed but can lease one locally with a permit. They must follow KCAA regulations, such as keeping off airports, parks, and other sensitive installations.
Furthermore, there are qualifications set for drone pilots and rules they should follow when flying a UAS.
There was a ban on the use of drones before March 2020, but it was lifted after the Kenyan parliament passed the Unmanned Aircraft Systems Regulations 2020.
Even though flying is allowed, the rules for importing and using drones are challenging.
This is understandable since the rules are still new. However, there’s hope the Kenyan government will loosen some regulations to allow easy importation and let foreigners bring drones to Kenya.
What are the general rules for drone flying in Kenya?
Kenya categorizes Unmanned Aircraft System operations into three different categories:
Category A (Low risk): A drone of this category can be operated with little to no threat to people, property, or manned aircraft. Here, you’ll need a registration and permit and follow the rules and regulations. These drones are mostly for personal or recreational purposes.
Category B (medium risk/regulated lower risk). The public, property, and manned aviation are all at medium risk from operations falling under this category. Foreigners use this category and are expected to pay a fee of Sh2,500 daily. Pilots flying drones in this operation category should have Remote Aircraft Operators Certificate (ROC).
Category C (high risk/regulated): The safety of people, property, and manned aviation are highly in danger from this operations category. The pilot should obtain a ROC for them to operate in category C.
You will need to follow some general rules if you’re looking to enjoy some aerial views in Kenya. As mentioned above, you will first need to lease a drone if you are a foreigner and apply for a permit.
Here are some basic regulations for drones and drone pilots you should keep in mind:
Without the authority’s permission, no one should operate a UAS.
Do not operate a drone at more than 400m above ground level.
You should not fly a UAS within 50 meters of any structure, vessel, vehicle, or structure that is not part of your operation (except with authorization.)
A drone operator should be at least 18 years old.
Operate the drone within visual line-of-sight at all times. Do not use aided visuals such as binoculars or First-person view (FPV.)
Do not operate your drone in non-Visual Meteorological Conditions (VMC), such as when the weather is poor.
Never use a drone at night.
Do not operate a drone near an airport. Ensure a 7-kilometer distance for category A and B aerodromes and 10 kilometers for category C, D, E, and F.
You should never reproduce, process, share, or publish any information you get from areas beyond the prescribed scope of operation.
Avoid flying over places of worship, schools, hospitals, prisons, and crime scenes unless you have permission from the authorities.
Do not fly across the international border.
You shall not operate a UAS recklessly, such as endangering other aircraft or people or flying the craft in restricted and dangerous areas.
Do not fly an Unmanned Aircraft System over high-tension cables, air navigation services, and military installations.
Drone pilots should have a safety management system that includes safety risk management, safety policy and objectives, safety assurance, and promotion.
An Unmanned Aircraft System operator should not use an imaging device to survey privately owned or any other property without the owner’s authority.
Every Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) registered in Kenya must have an identifying plate etched, stamped, or engraved with its registration identifier.
The authority, in collaboration with the Cabinet Secretary, may explicitly forbid the deployment of drone operations in any given situation for the country’s security.
Do you need permission to use a drone in Kenya?
KCAA is the agency in place to ensure that drones are flown safely for the security of the nation. UAS can pose significant safety and security challenges, thus the need for the government to control and manage them.
You agree to abide by the KCAA rules and regulations by getting a permit. This helps keep everyone safe while still preventing potential accidents.
What will customs do if you bring a drone to Kenya?
Customs will confiscate your drone if you try to bring it to Kenya. Chances are high that you might not get the drone back by the time you leave due to bureaucratic delays. However, you can start the process of getting it back early once the time to leave the country approaches.
Additionally, if your drone remains in customs custody for over 7 days, they may start to charge you a daily storage fee.
Finally, remember that it’s illegal for foreigners to bring drones into Kenya, so don’t be tempted to hide a drone in your luggage. You don’t want to have issues and be on the wrong side of the Kenyan government.
For Kenyan nationals, bringing a drone to Kenya without informing KCAA could cause it to be confiscated by customs.
Keep in mind that importing or exporting drones from Kenya can be done with the approval of the KCAA. You can do this through their portal before you fly into the country.
The process of getting back your drone is exhausting. First, you’ll visit the KCAA offices to explain why you came with a drone. Then, you have to apply for registration and approval from the aviation authority.
All Unmanned Aircraft System operators must show proof of training to have a valid license. Failing to do this, you risk a jail term or hefty fines.
What do I risk by flying a drone illegally in Kenya?
Flying a UAS in Kenya without authorization might lead to fines, land you in a Kenyan prison, or both. The fine amount and length of imprisonment highly depend on the severity of the infringement. For example, illegal use of a drone can lead to a fine of at least Ksh. 2 million and a jail term of not less than six months.
It’s best to leave your drone back at home and lease one once you arrive in Kenya. There will certainly be an excellent choice for you to provide you with the thrilling experience you’re looking forward to.
How to retrieve my drone at Kenyan airport customs?
As mentioned earlier, to avoid your drone being confiscated at the airport by customs officials, it’s better to leave it behind. However, there are some situations where it’s impossible to leave the UAS behind. For instance, if you’re traveling to multiple nations that allow drones before visiting Kenya.
In this case, it’s advisable to plan your trip to avoid inconveniences with your drone.
First, refrain from smuggling your drone in since this could result in major legal issues. Instead, inform the customs officers that you have a drone. Tell them you’re aware of the drone restrictions in the country and explain why you have it.
Your drone will be left with the customs, who might refer you to the RCAA for clearance.
Begin the process of getting your drone early enough to give time for the completion of relevant procedures and clearance.
Follow up the process by calling customs or RCAA to ensure no delays will happen when you’re flying out.
How much is a temporary drone permit?
The Kenyan drone permit issued to travelers costs Sh20,000. In addition to the license, you should also get an airworthiness certificate that costs Sh5,000.
You might also incur some other charges for service and certifications.
How do you get a permit to fly a drone in Kenya?
This applies to Kenyan nationals wanting to gain permission to fly a drone in Kenya.
Application for a drone permit and registration can be made online through the KCAA website. Once your application is approved, you’ll receive your permit and be all set to fly your drone in Kenya. Just follow all the rules and regulations (link) set forth by the KCAA, and you’ll be good to go.
Since the process can be slow, apply for the drone a few weeks before you plan to use it. The following documents should accompany your application:
Identification document (passport)
A clear color photograph of the drone and its serial number
Copy of drone pilot license
Safety management system documentation
How to register a drone in Kenya?
Again, this only applies to Kenyan nationals, as foreigners can not bring a drone into Kenya.
The first thing is to fill out the online registration form. You’ll need to provide your personal contact, type, and drone model. You’ll also need to pay a registration fee of Kenya shillings (Kshs) 3,000 (about $30) for the certificate of registration and the same amount for its copy.
The initial fee for a Remote Air Operator Certificate (ROC) for:
Commercial purposes: Kshs 80,000 (about $800)
Renewal: Kshs 50,000 (about $500),
Any amendments: Kshs 5,000 (about $50).
Here are all the other major costs for Unmanned Aircraft Systems operations in Kenya. You’ll also need these documents:
Identification documents
A clear photo of the UAS
Police clearance certificate
Circuit diagram of the UAS (if applicable)
Company registration document (if it’s for commercial purposes)
Type Certificate of the UAS (if applicable)
Are drones allowed in the Maasai Mara National Reserve?
The Masai Mara National Reserve is among Kenya’s unique and popular tourist destinations. It’s located in the South Western part of Kenya. Thousands of people travel to the Mara yearly to see the great wildlife that calls this place home.
The Mara is home to lions, elephants, zebras, and iconic wildebeests that migrate yearly from the Serengeti National Park in neighboring Tanzania to the Maasai Mara in breathtaking numbers. It’s the perfect place to go on a safari.
You may be tempted to visit the Mara with your drone. Bad news! Drones are not allowed in the park.
Generally, drones are not allowed in animal parks and reserves in Kenya. That’s because drones cause panic and stress in animals. It can also lead to accidents that could otherwise be avoided.
Amazing places to fly drones in Kenya include:
The Great Rift Valley (excluding the parks and protected areas)
The sandy beaches of Mombasa (a coastal town on the Indian Ocean)
The great city of Nairobi (one of the iconic cities of Africa)
The mountainous terrains of Mount Kenya (the second tallest mountain in Africa)
Understanding every provision is the best way to be on the positive side of the Unmanned Aircraft Systems Regulations 2020. Good research is an excellent way to start, and I have given you a head start.
If you need more information or clarifications for special situations, be sure to contact the KCAA at +254 020 6827470-5 or +254 728 606 570. You can also email them at [email protected].
References: Unmanned Aircraft Systems Regulations (link) Training Fees & Fines For Drones Operations (link) Manual of Implementing Standards (link) Costs for Unmanned Aircraft Systems (link)
Montreux, Switzerland – TOPODRONE, a Swiss based designer and manufacturer of high-precision LiDAR equipment for installation on drones, vehicles and backpacks, launches AQUAMAPPER, a UAV-based solution for bathymetric surveying and marine construction. The new multitasking data collecting device and TOPODRONE LiDAR ULTRA equipment have been successfully used together for airborne surveying at a highway construction project in Romania, EU to deliver a full digital twin of a studied area.
AQUAMAPPER is a brand new hardware developed in-house by TOPODRONE and contributes to a complete set of photogrammetry, LiDAR and bathymetry surveying solutions. This new product mounted on a UAV provides a combination of high speed efficiency (up to 14 km/h) and accuracy. It is a PPK ready solution, compatible with DJI Matrice 300 RTK. The application areas include but are not limited to an open sea bathymetric survey up to 100m depth, quantity survey and calculation of sediments, periodic maintenance survey of storage pools.
TOPODRONE AQUAMAPPER and LIDAR ULTRA have been used for airborne surveying at “Autostrada Sibiu – Pitești, Secțiunea 2: Boița – Cornetu”, a European road construction project. It aims at building a highway in one of the toughest terrain in Romania and includes 7 tunnels, 24 bridges and 18 viaducts. The drone LiDAR corridor and bathymetric survey was performed by Romanian GRAPHEIN TOPO SA company to provide accurate maps and up-to-date information about terrain level, buildings, roads, power line networks, cadastral boundaries etc as well as rivers. TOPODRPONE LIDAR ULTRA on board DJI M300 drone was used to capture laser scanning data from 100 – 120 meters altitude over rugged terrain forest area to cover 32 km long and 400 meters width corridor within 14 flights while AQUAMAPPER connected to the same DJI M300 drone performed bathymetry survey over 6 river crossing.
“The key advantage of the new bathymetric equipment from TOPODRONE is the ability to capture a riverbed with centimeters level accuracy with high speed in fully automatic mode and without using any boat. It allows us to work in hard to access and shallow water areas. The same drone carrier can be used for both LiDAR & bathymetry surveys. The combination of an echosounder, GNSS and Inertial measurement system helps to get accurate results after data post processing,” Andrei Sueran, GRAPHEIN TOPO SA, explains.
AQUAMAPPER is showcased at INTERGEO 2022. To learn more about the solution visit stand #F2.029 in Hall 2, October, 18-20, Essen or visit the website https://topodrone.com/product/bathymetry/213/
About TOPODRONE
TOPODRONE (topodrone.com) is a Swiss based designer and manufacturer of high-precision lidar equipment for installation on drones, vehicles and backpacks. TOPODRONE’s lidar solutions are used for mapping and 3D modeling as well as forest and agricultural monitoring. Their advanced post-processing software provides users with easy-to-use innovative data processing workflows for automatic data generation, georeferencing and alignment using GNSS and IMU data post processing, and SLAM algorithms.
Montreux, Switzerland – TOPODRONE, a Swiss based designer and manufacturer of high-precision lidar equipment for installation on drones, vehicles and backpacks, has announced the synchronization of LiDAR PRIME scanner and aOrion Heli-E UAV enabled by Velodyne’s Alpha Prime sensor. This new mapping solution fills the gap between heavyweight and expensive manned aerial lidar systems and lightweight drone lidar systems. It allows users to expand their applications to survey large areas that were previously only possible to survey using manned airplanes or helicopters.
LiDAR PRIME is TOPODRONE’s most advanced lidar system, with a working range up to 300 meters covering a 500-meter corridor width and more than 20 km2 per flight with the aOrion helicopter. LiDAR PRIME + aOrion Heli-E system is enabled by the Alpha Prime sensor, Velodyne’s world-class, long-range lidar sensor. ‘The system provides users the opportunity to capture tens of kilometers of power lines, dozens or even hundreds of square kilometers of a surveying area when a manual inspection, piloted helicopter or a multicopter bring too much risk, high expenses, or can not meet the challenge’, Maxim Baklykov, CEO at TOPODRONE, explains.
Velodyne’s lidar provides TOPODRONE the outstanding quality, working range and capabilities for mapping solutions. The partnership with Velodyne has helped TOPODRONE to substantially increase the number of products for the surveying and mapping markets. TOPODRONE’s coming models based on Velodyne’s sensors can continue to help provide game-changing technology for the market over the next year.
Your gimbal is an essential piece of equipment to operate your drone with purpose. Gimbal failure is a frequent issue for drones, even the state-of-the-art DJI Mavic Air 2S.
You’ll first need to diagnose the issue with your drone and afterward, take action.
In this article, we’ll explain the reasons why the DJI Air 2S model has this issue and the best way to solve it.
How to avoid damage to your DJI Air 2S gimbal
The DJI Air 2S gives continuous updates on the speed of wind and objects that are to be avoided.
Part 107 pilots shouldn’t fly in cloudy or rainy weather in the first place. It’s a good idea to adhere to the DJI suggestions as well as FAA guidelines.
This is an excellent rule of thumb to ensure the life of your drone, as well as your safety and the health and well-being of your DJI Air 2S’s gimbal.
Use good maintenance practices
Gimbals may be damaged, jammed, or even broken when they’re not properly maintained. While it isn’t easy to remove and put on the gimbal cover after every flight, it is an extra layer of protection.
Be gentle when attaching your gimbal cover.
While the gimbal is fragile, it’s made to move. Adjusting it when attaching the gimbal cover will not hurt it as long as you are not forcing it.
If you did force it, this could be your problem.
It may be helpful to watch videos or read the manual to understand how to correctly place the gimbal cover on your gimbal.
Press the notch to remove the gimbal protector before running the device
Always remember to remove your drone’s gimbal cover before turning the drone on. If you do not, the gimbal will attempt to perform its initial test, and the motor will become overloaded due to it being restrained by the gimbal cover.
This can damage the gimbal if action is not taken quickly enough.
Avoid crash landings
A crash landing could cause the drone’s camera and gimbal system to be damaged or even broken off.
While the crash doesn’t necessarily have to be catastrophic for the drone, the gimbal is the most susceptible and vulnerable part of the UAV.
If your drone gimbal is limp while powered on, askew while powered on, or unresponsive while powered on after a crash, you’ll need to assess the severity of the damage.
While it may not seem severe, a landing with anything more than a slow descent can cause damage to your drone’s gimbal.
You must place the DJI Air 2S in your hands or on the landing pad to launch and land safely.
Use a landing pad
If an object less than a half inch away from the ground is right under the gimbal upon landing, it may block the camera, scratch it or even cause the gimbal to crack.
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09/01/2022 03:17 pm GMT
Avoid jarring during flight
The gimbal may also be damaged or jammed due to the fact that it was jarred during flight.
A collision, massive gusts of wind, rain, or droplets can cause disturbances during flight, which could cause your gimbal to become damaged or jammed.
How to fix your DJI Air 2S gimbal
Recalibrate and readjust- for non-severe impacts and disturbances
Sometimes, fixing your gimbal is as easy as recalibration. It could only require one minor adjustment to bring the normal operations back on track.
How to recalibrate your Air 2S:
Turn on the drone.
Connect your DJI controller to the drone.
Launch the flight application.
Go to camera control settings and select advanced.
Click “calibrate the gimbal“.
If the gimbal isn’t damaged detrimentally, it will alter and update as long as the DJI Air 2S is on a level and flat surface.
It is also possible to reboot your DJI Air 2S to fix any issues.
Note: DJI Air2S GIMBAL ERROR 40021 may fall under this fix. If not, you may need to send your drone back to DJI support. Give them a call to discuss the situation, and if they feel you need to send it in, understand that they use proprietary software to reconfigure and recalibrate the software. It will run you around $100 to have this fixed.
How to readjust your Air 2S gimbal:
It might sound easy; however, you may be trying to launch your DJI Air 2S using an unsuitable launch location.
To ensure the longevity of your gimbal, it’s crucial to launch and land in an area that is safe.
It’s equally important to make sure you have a secure launch platform that minimizes disruptions for the drone. The DJI Mavic models evolved over time, and the gimbal moved closer to the ground.
This can cause issues with the gimbal’s performance during DJI Air 2S boot-up.
The camera appears to be looking upwards, then will change into a 90° angle straight down, then another 20° further backward.
If the launchpad/area isn’t flat, the camera will not be capable of completing its test. It’ll get stuck in a loop, then turn up, drop, and repeat this process until damage in the yaw motor has occurred.
It’s hard to overstate the importance of having a secure launch zone.
Fix your hardware and software – for moderately-severe impacts and disturbances.
There are many moving parts within your Gimbal. Read on to find out how to fix it.
Examine the gimble
If there are loose parts or cables, this could cause your camera to stop recording videos or restrict the motion of the gimbal. If your gimbal pieces are loose, gently push them back into place.
Downgrade software
Remove the current program and downgrade the software. While this might sound like a flimsy idea, numerous users have found that it is effective.
The DJI Forum will help you navigate the procedure of downgrading.
Clean your yaw arm or motor
It may be necessary to clean your yaw arm or motor if you’re at the very extreme of moderately serious impacts and disturbances. Error messages such as Gimbal Stuck: 40002 Error may appear.
The problem may be due to sediment getting stuck in motors or the arms. To determine if this is the cause, you must take apart the gimbal.
This can happen if you’re not using a launch pad or aren’t hand launching/landing.
Watch this video to visualize the process of gimbal disassembly. This video is of the Mavic Air 2, but the build is nearly identical.
Clean the sediment out if any is present, and reconstruct the gimbal. If none is found, move on to the next step.
If sediment is found, DO NOT remove the sediment by hand. You’ll more than likely cause more damage. Use a hand air pump to blow air into the compartment containing the sediment.
Replace your hardware – For severe impacts and disturbances.
As we’ve already discussed, the yaw motor and the swing arm are weak links. This is a possibility in the event that there is no dust on the motors and the arm is in great condition. It could be a more severe issue. Keep reading.
Replace yaw arm
Your gimbal may be reporting that it’s “overloaded.” If the gimbal isn’t moving, the yaw control does not function, or the gimbal is moving quickly upwards and downwards or sideways, you may need to buy new parts.
When replacing your yaw arm, ensure that you test every option.
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09/02/2022 01:08 am GMT
Watch this video to visualize the process of deconstruction and reconstruction. This video is of the Mavic Air 2, but the build is nearly identical.
Replace the entire gimbal
This is the only option at this point. But, it’s not the riskiest thing. The DJI Air 2S is advanced equipment, including its sensors, camera unit, GNSS locator, propulsion technology motors, and receiver.
The gimbal is among the most affordable components of the drone.
It is important to take care of the DJI Air 2S. When it is not in use, put it back in the case and cover it with the gimbal protector. Don’t take off or land on rough or uneven terrain. Fly in safe conditions. Avoid crashing or hard landings.
If you do crash or experience any gimbal issues with the new DJI Air 2S, this article can aid you in identifying the issue and correcting it.
If you are still able to use your warranty to repair the drone, do it. If, however, your warranty is expired, this article can assist you in repairing the DJI Air 2S.
AgEagle ventures into military equipment, advanced robotics fields
By DRONELIFE Features Editor Jim Magill
AgEagle (NYSE:UAVS), a company that started its commercial life producing drones and software for the agricultural market, has evolved into a company that produces “flying robots,” across a broad spectrum of applications, both civilian and military.
Recently, the company announced that sales of its NDAA-compliant eBee TAC Unmanned Aerial System have increased substantially with shipments to both U.S. and NATO forces in the United States and Europe. The news follows the March announcement by the Department of Defense’s Defense Innovation Unit that it was adding the eBee TAC to its list of drones approved for DOD use, the first drone to be added as part of the Blue sUAS 2.0 project.
In another recent announcement, AgEagle said it was adding enhanced technological features and capabilities to its Measure Ground Control software package, designed to automate flight management systems and manage drone programs regardless of the manufacturer or model of drone used.
“AgEagle has a long history in the drone space … particularly in the agricultural drone space,” said Barrett Mooney, AgEagle’s CEO. “It has really grown into something that’s much, much bigger than that. It’s grown into an actual robotics play.”
Mooney said that in recent months, AgEagle has assembled a team of 70- plus engineers, about half its employee base, to develop a wide variety of software products, both drone-based and non-drone based, that provide solutions across a wide area of potential applications.
“We’ve made these things into flying robots,” he said. “And a lot of the skills we’ve learned translate to ground robots, and translate to fixed-position robots.”
In the case of its eBee TAC system, Mooney said the military version, developed by AgEagle subsidiary senseFly, sprang from design ideas originally developed for the commercial market.
“We optimized a drone for price sensitivity, for commercial functionality and for resilience so that it was robust,” he said. This experience proved invaluable in designing a system that fit within the parameter set by the Defense Department for its drone system needs.
“We actually worked backwards into the government offering and said, ‘Oh, well actually what you need is something that is robust, that can be rebuilt on site, and that has a closed-loop drone-guidance and control system,’” Mooney said,
The eBee TAC system, which is currently being tested and deployed by U.S. and NATO forces, could ultimately play a part in the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, although Mooney was quick to establish some ambiguity on that point.
“To my knowledge, I can’t speak and say yes or no for security reasons,” he said. The software that enables the eBee TAC drones to function is designed to be less penetrable to potential adversaries than that of standard commercial drones.
“I don’t want to expose the information that I do have. That would put in jeopardy the forces that are using the tools,” Mooney said. “But the idea behind it is, those NATO forces are deploying in the forward areas and conflict zones where they can be the most useful.”
Brand-agnostic software
Mooney said the development of AgEagle’s Measure Ground Control system represents another example of the strides the company has made in developing advanced robotics systems. The software system is built to provide drones with the mapping parameters under which they fly, regardless of the make or model of drone.
“The Measure Ground Control platform is AgEagle’s answer to that market need for commercial enterprises that have a variety of drone hardware; whether you’re flying a senseFly eBee, or whether you’re flying a Parrot Anafi, or whether you’re flying a DJI Matrice 300,” he said. “We want to have a control platform that handles all of those drone flight hardware components and their associated payloads.”
Regardless of what drone hardware they’re employing, users of the Measure Ground Control system are able to use the platform to set the parameters for how they want to capture their data.
For example, Mooney said, the Measure Ground Control system can be used in conjunction with hardware developed by AgEagle’s subsidiaries, such as MicaSense multispectral sensors, to capture and interpret data. The sensors can capture images registering in several bands across the light spectrum, including thermal and near-infrared.
“We’re actually getting a feed that is telling us information that we can’t see with the naked eye by varying these wavelengths of light,” he said. “The Measure Ground Control software actually interprets that data and creates vegetation indices, creates different metrics that can be used on the software processing platform, stitches it all together, and then presents that information back to the user.”
With forays into the military space and into the software development and advanced robotics arenas, AgEagle may seem to be straying far from its agricultural roots, but Moony said the company’s journey parallels that of the greater drone industry as it matures and becomes more vertically integrated.
“These things may seem a bit divergent, but really they all stem from the same multifunctional core,” he said.
AgEagle [NYSE:UAVS] is one of the holdings in the AdvisorShares Drone Technology ETF [NYSE ARCA:UAV], the only ETF dedicated to the drone economy. The AdvisorShares Drone Technology ETF is a thematic investment strategy seeking to capture the growth opportunities in drones and autonomous vehicles (AV).
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Read more about AgEagle:
Jim Magill is a Houston-based writer with almost a quarter-century of experience covering technical and economic developments in the oil and gas industry. After retiring in December 2019 as a senior editor with S&P Global Platts, Jim began writing about emerging technologies, such as artificial intelligence, robots and drones, and the ways in which they’re contributing to our society. In addition to DroneLife, Jim is a contributor to Forbes.com and his work has appeared in the Houston Chronicle, U.S. News & World Report, and Unmanned Systems, a publication of the Association for Unmanned Vehicle Systems International.
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.
FlyFive33, the leading brand in FPV racing equipment, and Orqa d.o.o., one of the top vendors and manufacturers of FPV headsets, officially entered into a partnership on May 27th with the aim of collaboration on design, development, manufacturing and implementation of mission critical drone components and First Person View headsets for visual command and control of FlyFive33 portfolio of drones.
Ivan Jelušić, one of the Orqa’s founders and its CSO, says:
“It is undeniable that FPV racing generates a lot of heat nowadays, and it’s becoming more and more of a thing, both as a hobby and sport. At Orqa, we’ve always strived to work with the best, and looking at this from the perspective of advancing the standards of the FPV racing world, there’s no one better to become partners with on this rising sport than FlyFive33.”
Moreover, Evan Turner, a professional FPV Drone Pilot, two-time world champion and Co Owner of FlyFive33 also made a comment on this new partnership:
“Orqa’s never ending innovation, manufacturing capacity, and expertise are exactly the qualities we were looking for in a partner to bring Five33 and FPV racing around the world to the next level. The newest racing model of the goggles we did in collaboration with Orqa has blown us and our customers away, and has been stated by many to be the best racing headset on the market. We are so proud to announce Orqa as the amazing new hosts of the Five33 EU warehouse located in Croatia, now allowing the EU shop to be filled with more products than ever AND immediate access to all the newest products with no waiting 🙂 It’s the first step to a much bigger relationship with Orqa, and myself, Armando and the rest of the team at Five33 are shaking with excitement.”
The successful beginning of this mutually beneficial partnership sets the basis for future collaboration, with the main goal of exclusive distribution of FlyFive33 products in Europe. Ivan Jelušić says:
“We plan to stock all of FlyFive33’s hot products and distribute them to EU customers in the next month or so, and we’re truly excited to be in partnership on this ambitious endeavor with both Evan Turner and FlyFive33.”
GeoCue, a leader in LiDAR and photogrammetry equipment and software, recently appointed Rodney Cope as their new Senior Vice President of Federal Programs. In this new role, Rodney will be responsible for expanding the company’s sales into federal government sectors.
Rodney brings more than 23 years of geospatial industry experience to GeoCue in various management positions, including sales, marketing, and program management. Throughout his career, Rodney has focused on developing sales into federal government sectors across a range of applications. According to GeoCue CEO Frank Darmayan, “We are expanding the GeoCue sales footprint; our collaboration and work with government agencies is critical to that. We welcome Rodney to lead our efforts with federal government agencies throughout the U.S.”
Rodney explains, “GeoCue has built a strong foundation with geospatial data processing software over the past twenty years. Continuous improvement derived from customer feedback has always been the culture.” He adds, “I’m excited to build on that foundation as we expand our core offerings and further develop the company’s national federal presence. This company shows employee passion, industry leadership, and potential for growth.”
About GeoCue
GeoCue Group Inc. is a U.S. LiDAR data technology company offering software, hardware, training, support and consulting services for high accuracy LiDAR and drone mapping to help civil engineering and surveying professionals achieve successful data collection, processing, and management. With its TrueView drone LiDAR/Imaging sensors and EVO/LP360 point cloud data processing software, GeoCue is the leader in LiDAR mapping processing in North America.
mdGroup provides technology to enable aerial digital twin making for industrial applications. It operates through its portfolio companies Microdrones and GeoCue. To learn more about mdGroup, visit www.group-md.com
The Federal Office of Bundeswehr Equipment, Information Technology and In-Service Support (BAAINBw) has concluded a contract with ESG Elektroniksystem- und Logistik-GmbH as the main contractor for the procurement of three Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS), introduced in the Bundeswehr under the name “Sea Falcon”, for the K130 corvettes of the German Navy.
With the implementation of the project “Reconnaissance and Identification in the Maritime Operational Area (AImEG)”, the corvettes’ capabilities for imaging reconnaissance will be significantly expanded: in future, objects can be detected and identified with the Sea Falcon far beyond the on-board sensor system.
One UAS consists of two Skeldar V-200 unmanned aerial vehicles, a ground control station integrated on the corvette from which the aircraft is controlled, and equipment with tools and spare parts.
The Sea Falcon is based on the type Skeldar V-200 from the Swedish manufacturer UMS Skeldar AB and can operate for up to 5 hours with a maximum take-off weight of 235kg, a maximum speed of 75 knots and a payload of up to 40kg. It can take off and land automatically on the deck of the corvette in up to 20 knots of wind speed and “Sea State 3”. An integrated sensor transmits real time optical and infrared images to the ground control station.
The AImEG project, which has now been contracted, comprises over a period of 4 years
in the pilot phase, the development and certification with regard to the adaptation requirements of the German Armed Forces; the delivery of one UAS including integration into a corvette; initial training of the German Armed Forces personnel as well as comprehensive logistic services;
in the series production phase, the delivery of two further systems, one of which will also be integrated into a corvette and the other used for land-based training. In addition, three armament sets will be delivered for the future pre-fitting of further corvettes to accommodate a UAS.
A special feature within the scope of the adaptation developments is the extension of the so-called “safety critical chain” with further functionalities, which will be concluded with a military approval. The safety-critical chain ensures that the aircraft cannot leave an intended area of operation.
In the AImEG project, ESG assumes overall responsibility on the industry side as general contractor and in-service support company. The overall service is provided in cooperation with ESG´s highly committed industrial partners of ESG: UMS Skeldar AB as manufacturer and supplier of the aircraft, NVL B.V. & Co. KG (formerly Fr. Lürssen Werft GmbH & Co. KG) as the manufacturer of the corvette and UAS integrator, and CUONICS GmbH as the aviation electronics parts developer and manufacturer.
ESG has been one of the leading German providers of design, integration, operation and in-service support of complex, security-related electronic and IT systems for more than five decades. In Germany and internationally, ESG provides propducts and services for customers from government authorities, the fields of defence and public security and industry.
ESG is a certified aviation company for aircraft and aviation equipment for the Bundeswehr (German Federal Armed Forces) and an aviation engineering company in line with EASA Parts 21J/G and EASA Part 145. As a special systems company for mission avionics, simulation and training, as well as special deployment systems, ESG offers customised solutions.
Independent process and technology consulting is one of ESG’s key competencies. Technology transfer between markets is what makes a significant contribution to our customers’ added value.
About UMS Skeldar: UMS Skeldar, a joint venture between Saab and UMS AERO Group, is Europe’s leading provider of Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS) including the unmatched NATO-adapted rotary Skeldar V-200 and the flexible high-performance V-150 UAS. Incorporating and capable of carrying a wide selection of sensors, the UMS Skeldar RPAS provides solutions to a wide variety of defense, civil security, and maritime sectors globally. The company is headquartered near Basel in Switzerland, with twin manufacturing facilities in Switzerland (Möhlin) and Sweden (Linköping) and offers a comprehensive unmanned aerial systems (UAS) solutions portfolio. The company provides total solutions to customers across the globe, including development, manufacture, testing, training, consultancy, maintenance, and managed services.
AgEagle ventures into military equipment, advanced robotics fields
Jim Magill is a Houston-based writer with almost a quarter-century of experience covering technical and economic developments in the oil and gas industry. After retiring in December 2019 as a senior editor with S&P Global Platts, Jim began writing about emerging technologies, such as artificial intelligence, robots and drones, and the ways in which they’re contributing to our society. In addition to DroneLife, Jim is a contributor to Forbes.com and his work has appeared in the Houston Chronicle, U.S. News & World Report, and Unmanned Systems, a publication of the Association for Unmanned Vehicle Systems International.
