Introduction and Overview

Introduction and Overview

Introduction

The DatuFly User Guide will help you:

  1.  Understand the principles of operation of the mobile application.
  1. Plan and execute your image taking tasks based on the best practice requirements of DatuBIM or DatuSurvey.

Within this document, you will find comments, tips, and answers to frequently asked questions. These are indicated by icons as listed below:

   
This icon signifies comments that are important for the user. They will help you to make maximum use of the DatuBIM or DatuSurvey software.

This icon signifies operational tips that may help you optimize your work in the field and in the office.


This icon signifies warnings that are important for the user.

Overview of DatuFly

Background

DatuFly is a simple and intuitive plan-and-fly mobile application used to control specific models of drones. The application is used to define flight missions around an area of interest allowing the user to customize image-taking parameters based on the type of area to be photographed and the type of output the user wishes to obtain.

DatuFly is specifically designed for professional surveying, construction and infrastructure mapping. The DatuFly tablet app optimizes flight and image capturing per job type. The image-taking plan is executed based on DatuBIM or DatuSurvey best practice requirements, for easy linkage, geo-referencing and 3D models creation.

Principles of Operation

For each image to be taken, DatuFly automatically calculates the 3D coordinates of the position of the drone, hence the camera mounted on the drone, and it also calculates the gimbal pitch angle. Based on the number of images needed to cover the area of interest, DatuFly automatically calculates the time needed to complete the mission, as well as the number of drone batteries needed. When the planned mission is executed, the application detects and reports the battery charge levels of the drone and the controller, and automatically returns to the home point when a battery is about to expire. This allows the user to replace the battery and continue the flight mission from where it left off.

As a result, DatuFly streamlines and accelerates the field work process needed for capturing the necessary images.

Working with DatuFly

Working with DatuFly is as easy as 1-2-3.


Figure 1: Working with DatuFly

Plan the Mission

Planning the mission can be done in the office, but can also be rapidly performed in the field. To be able to plan a mission over a map, Internet access is necessary. In the field, your tablet must have internet access, or alternatively you can use a portable Wi-Fi hotspot from any cellular phone. If the plan is done in the office the area map is also saved with the plan eliminating the need for Internet access in the field.

Execute the Mission

In the field simply open the saved planned mission and, if needed, make necessary adjustments to the plan. Then connect to the drone, push the button to execute the plan, and sit and watch the drone do the work for you.

Offload Images

Back in the office extract the memory card from the drone, copy the images to your computer, and then upload them to Datumate’s cloud or use DatuBIM or DatuSurvey to associate them and continue your mapping work.


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