Archive for 2009

The Draganflyer X4 UAV helicopter can be equipped with a state of the art FLIR (forward looking infra red) Tau camera. The Flir Tau can see in the dark and is sensitive to the infra red (heat) radiation given off by every day objects. Because different materials absorb heat at varying efficiencies, their unique thermal signatures are registered on the FLIR camera and displayed in false color. This allows the user to see hot and cold spots on the ground, and distinguish between the sky, plants, animals and artificial objects in any lighting conditions.

The unique ability to see a temperature gradient on the ground makes the Draganflyer X4 and FLIR Tau perfect for agricultural applications. The camera can tell the difference between healthy plants and dry regions, allowing users to get a quick overview of how a field is progressing and plan accordingly. Being able to see the difference between a healthy field and an unhealthy one allows you to take corrective action helping to increase farm productivity.

The FLIR Tau can also be used to sense the location of livestock and other animals. The heat signature of each animal shows up as a clear red spot relative to the cool ground, allowing easy counts and other statistics to be recorded. See where your livestock is at all times, even during the night. Large animals emit significant body heat, making them easy to track with our infra red camera.

Unlike conventional thermal infra red cameras, the FLIR Tau weighs only 70 grams. A low power consumption allow for extremely long flight times with no performance compromise. The FLIR Tau features both a 2x and 4x user selectable digital zoom; and transmits live video to the handheld controller and video base station. Our built in DVR keeps a pristine interference free copy of all the infra red video you take, giving you a perfect record to analyze or archive.

See the following video, which shows the Draganflyer X4 and FLIR Tau camera being used to do an aerial vineyard inspection. The video shows dry regions that need more water, and detects irrigation system leaks. The flyover was done at an altitude of 50 feet, giving a large field of view.

You see the various camera options available for the Draganflyer X4 on our website.

The following sites have linked to Draganfly.com or have written original content on our Draganflyer X4:

• www.stumbleupon.com – StumbleUpon.com is a massive web directory, showing visitors some of the coolest new pictures and websites in a variety of categories.
• www.gizmodo.com – Gizmodo is a popular blog showing off the latest gadgets to hit the market.
• www.engadget.com – Engadget is a multilingual technology blog about consumer electronics.
• www.imaging-resource.com – Imaging-resource.com is an information site about digital cameras and accessories.
• www.pdnpulse.com - pdnpulse.com is a photography blog written by the editors of photo district news.
• www.docma.info – docma.info is a site about digital photography (german). [10]
• slashcool.com – slashcool.com is a blog about gadgets and technology.
• gpsmagazine.com – gpsmagazine is a blog about consumer GPS units and their applications.
• www.coolest-gadgets.com – coolest-gadgets.com is a blog about new and innovative consumer electronics.
• www.slashdot.org – slashdot is a technology site, mainly focusing on consumer electronics.[15]

August 12 and 13, 2009 – Draganfly Innovations Inc. has completed the first-ever indoor, live flight demonstrations hosted at the AUVSI (Association of Unmanned Vehicle Systems International) conference in Washington, DC. With a 20×20-foot exhibit (booth #856), both the recently launched Draganflyer X4 UAV and the larger Draganflyer X6 UAV were flown in a 10-foot octagonal cage so that visitors could see each UAVs flight performance and features.

The AUVSI was founded in 1972 when the use of unmanned target drones sparked the interest of a group of U.S. Air Force officers. By the end of the Vietnam War, technology had become advanced enough to allow for the design of the first primitive UAVs for aerial photography. Because of the economical and tactical usefulness of this technology, UAVs have continued to evolve. New developments in UAV technology are featured annually at the AUVSI conference, helping to promote UAV awareness and education.

Unlike conventional UAVs, both the Draganflyer X4 and X6 can be flown indoors and outdoors. Featuring a low weight and nearly silent electric power, our helicopters can be transported and used almost anywhere.

The Draganflyer X6 is currently our largest and most sophisticated UAV helicopter. Featuring a six-rotor design and a GPS autopilot, the X6 is the best helicopter for large projects and government organizations requiring aerial photography. A choice of five different cameras allows the X6 to be customized for a particular project and the quick change camera mount allows for cameras to be swapped at the field. A wireless video transmitter is included with each of the available cameras allowing you to see, in real-time, what the camera is seeing.

The Draganflyer X4 is a smaller UAV helicopter designed for projects with tight budgets or users who do not require all the features that the X6 has to offer. Although it lacks a GPS enabled autopilot, the Draganflyer X4 features barometric altitude hold and uses the same SteadyFlight technology as the X6. Able to carry five different cameras, including a thermal infra-red and a low-light sensitive model, the X4 is the perfect UAV for smaller projects and organizations who need aerial photography and videography.

Check out this  video, which shows the Draganflyer X4 UAV flying at the AUVSI conference:

We are pleased to announce the release of our latest UAV helicopter, the Draganflyer X4. Several hundred hours of development went into its design, bringing about the sleek, sophisticated UAV. The Draganflyer X4 features much of the same technology as the Draganflyer X6, but can be purchased at a fraction of the cost. Designed for commercial, government, and military applications, the Draganflyer X4 provides affordable aerial photographs and video surveillance.

Diverging from our larger 6 rotor design, the Draganflyer X4 features the same quad rotor design used by our older helicopters. Four brushless motors independently drive four carbon fiber rotor blades, all controlled by an advanced flight computer.

The flight computer uses SteadyFlight technology to process the inputs of seven individual sensors, including:

• A barometric pressure sensor
• Three accelerometers
• Three gyroscopes

The flight computer reads sensor outputs and precisely determines the motor outputs required to keep the helicopter flying straight and level. If selected by the pilot, the barometric pressure sensor is used by the helicopter to maintain altitude. Properly trimmed and balanced, the helicopter will hold its position in the air allowing you to get excellent aerial photographs and video.

Four different cameras have been customized to work with our UAV, including:

• A 12.1 MP digital still and video camera
• A micro color video camera
• low-light black and white video camera
• A FLIR (Forward Looking Infra Red) video camera

All of these cameras transmit wireless video via a 5.8 GHz transmitter built into the mount. Wireless video can be received using either the handheld controller (which includes its own flat patch video antenna) or the optional base station. Video glasses plug directly into the handheld transmitter, allowing you to see what the helicopter is seeing and get perfectly aimed aerial photographs and video. The optional base station is compatible with any modern PC running Windows and features three standard RCA output jacks. This allows you to use your own recording equipment with the cameras or even re-transmit the video stream if needed.

Because all wireless communication is subject to interference, all of our cameras now feature a built-in DVR that records a pristine, interference-free copy of your aerial video to an SD card. After you finish flying, plug the SD card into your computer and edit the video using the software of your choice. Each camera also features a custom designed mount with a remote tilt feature. Designed to give you the best quality video possible, each camera mount features balanced, oil-filled shock absorbers. The shock absorbers keep the recorded video free from vibration, guaranteeing that you get the best possible results.

The Draganflyer X4 features an innovative case system that makes transporting the helicopter easier than ever. The entire Draganflyer X4 helicopter presses neatly into its pre-cut slot in the case. Each part and accessory fits into molded high-density foam inserts for safekeeping during transport. The transport case features a dual layer design with flight accessories in the top layer and the base station in the bottom layer. A patented, load-bearing system clips on to the transport case allowing it to be worn like a backpack. Made from flexible Cordura™ nylon, the load-bearing system is securely attached using Fastex™ hardware and adjustable straps.

The entire transport case fits neatly into an ATA (Airline Transport Association) certified hard case, rated to last over 100 flights as airline baggage. The padlockable, all-metal, carpet-lined ATA case allows you to safely transport the helicopter anywhere in the world without worrying about damage caused by the rigors of airline travel.

Designed for small enterprises and projects on a budget, the Draganflyer X4 is our most affordable UAV ever. Use the power of a full featured UAV helicopter for your project – the Draganflyer X4 makes professional quality aerial photographs and video easier to obtain than ever before.

The AUVSI (Association of Unmanned Vehicle Systems International) will be featuring its first ever live UAV demonstrations from August 10 to 12, with both the recently launched Draganflyer X4 and Draganflyer X6 flying in a 10×10 foot octagonal cage

Founded in 1972, the AUVSI is dedicated to promoting the application of UAVs through education, communication, and leadership. Their annual conference in Washington DC has created a global community of UAV developers, manufacturers, and enthusiasts. Both private enterprises and military organizations from many different countries attend each year, to keep advised of the latest developments in the UAV field.

Unlike conventional VTOL UAVs, the Draganflyer X4 and X6 have the ability to be flown indoors. Their small size and zero emission, electric power system allows them to be operated almost everywhere.

This year we will be demonstrating the recently developed Draganflyer X4 UAV helicopter. Designed for smaller projects with budget limitations, the Draganflyer X4 shares many features with the Draganflyer X6, but at a fraction of the cost.), The Draganflyer X4 has the same advanced flight stability as the Draganflyer X4. Pilots can use their laptops with an improved and slim base station to control the helicopter and receive streaming aerial video. A unique transport case design and load bearing system, that converts the case into a back pack, makes the Draganflyer X4 one of our most portable helicopters ever.

This year, Draganfly Innovations is hosting a 20×20 foot exhibit, including the live flight demonstration. Our booth number is 856, and can be found on the events floor plan.  As always, we will be happy to answer any questions about our innovative UAV products. The conference starts on August 10, and ends on August 13 2009. Be sure to see our live flight demonstrations, held from10:00 am to 6:00 pm on August 11, 8:00 am to 4:00 pm on August 12, and 8:00 am to 2:00 pm on August 13. We look forward to seeing you there!

For the past several years, Mark Sharpe of the Ontario Provincial Police force has been using aerial pictures and video to help with law enforcement. From homemade devices made from commercial electronics to hobby aircraft with cameras, he has saved the police department approximately $20,000 in aircraft charter costs. Working with makeshift equipment helped the OPP greatly, but with today’s world issues and a vast area to patrol, they began looking for something more.

The OPP found a solution with the Draganflyer helicopter, North America’s first commercially available UAV legalized for law enforcement applications. Fast deployment and an advanced autopilot make the Draganflyer UAV the perfect choice for police departments who need aerial pictures and video.

So why would a police force based out of a small city need aerial surveillance? For one thing, the Ontario police need to cover a huge area ranging all the way from the U.S border to Hudson Bay. It is hoped that using remotely operated vehicles can help reduce charter costs to remote areas. Aerial pictures and video are also very useful in court, helping judges and juries to visualize crime scenes effectively.

Featured on www.canada.com, the Winnipeg Free Press, and the Saskatoon Star Phoenix, it’s clear that there is definitely a market for UAVs in law enforcement applications.

UAV aerial photography has many applications, and each requires a different type of picture. Aerial photography is very flexible, you have complete control over the angle, lighting, and overall appearance of the images you are taking. This flexibility allows it to be used for a variety of projects, from aerial surveying to making inspections of equipment, or even promoting real estate. All of these projects should be approached differently – listed below are the general approaches suitable for each.

UAV Aerial Inspection of Equipment

UAV’s are excellent tools for inspecting industrial equipment. In many cases, the area that you need to look at is inaccessible or hazardous. Sending in a UAV gets you the pictures you need, without any risk to staff members or property.

So how do you get an adequate image of equipment? Your goal is simply to capture as much information about the target object as possible, ideally, in several images or in a video. Choosing between still pictures and video can be difficult, but in general, still pictures are better for the inspection of equipment. Video cameras increase the chances of you getting what you want to see in the image, but the resolution of each frame is much smaller than with a comparable still camera.

If you are using a still camera to do the inspection, the best strategy is to get as many pictures as possible. Even though the Draganflyer X6 wireless video receiver will give you a general idea of how to position the helicopter, vibrations, wind gusts, and other movement will make affect each image. By taking as many as possible during a flight, you are guaranteeing that at least a few of them will be suitable for your purposes. The objective is not to obtain perfectly aligned or tilted images, but to get a sharp and well focused picture, that contains everything you are interested in inspecting.

The unprocessed digital image of a natural gas compression station taken with the Draganflyer X6 UAV

In many cases, the images you obtain using this “shotgun” effect will not be perfectly horizontal. There is nothing wrong with this. If your objective is to get visual information about the overall state of your subject, then you can do so without worrying about the camera angle. If you need to publish pictures that are not completely horizontal, your best option is to crop them digitally, using software such as Adobe Photoshop®.

The picture on the left was used for the aerial inspection of a stack where natural gas is compressed (click for a larger version). When the image was obtained, winds were gusting in excess of 30 kilometers per hour (18 miles per hour). The autopilot was able to hold off most of the wind’s interference with the image, but it was left with approximately a 5 degree tilt from the horizontal. This is of no consequence, because cropping the image yields the following:

A cropped image of the same tower taken with the Draganflyer X6 UAV

We can clearly see the top of the pipe in this image, and everything that is occurring around it. This is more than sufficient for a quick visual inspection.

UAV Orthophotography and Aerial Surveying

Orthophotography is aerial photography done with the camera facing straight downwards. This creates an image where the scale is constant through out. Because the scale does not change with position on the image, you can make accurate measurements of angles, areas, and distances using relatively simple methods. When doing orthophotography, make sure that the camera is as close as 90 degrees to the ground as possible. We have written an in-depth how to for doing orthophotography with the Draganflyer X6 UAV, feel free to read it if you want to learn more.

UAV Aerial Photography for Aesthetics and Real Estate Promotion

When taking aerial pictures for real estate promotion, the aesthetics of the image matter more than anything else. Your goal is to take a single picture, that at a glance, shows potential customers the entire property in a very positive way. People should be able to look at the completed image and be pleased by its beauty, elegance, or simplicity. How do you do this? There is not a really simple answer, but here are few general rules to follow when taking pictures for aesthetic purposes:

• The Rule Of Thirds – Generally, people find pictures of an odd number of objects more pleasing than pictures of an even number of objects. When presented with an even number of objects in a group, the brain tends to look for asymmetries in the image, decreasing it’s aesthetic appeal. The same problem occurs when the primary focus is placed in the direct center of an image – your mind assumes that it’s perfectly centered, and looks for misalignment’s. You can avoid these problems by putting the focus of your image near the first or last third of the field of view. Doing this removes the sense of symmetry, and improves how the overall image appears.
• Level and Well Focused – Keep your images level, and be sure to allow the camera time to focus before moving. Ensuring that all of your aerial pictures are level is difficult, so take many of them while in the air. Out of all the ones that you obtain, at least a few will be excellent.
• Distracting Objects and Highlights – The last thing you want in promotional images is distractions that take away from the images main focus. Try to avoid including objects that stand out to much, such as reflections, highlights, and those that are brightly colored.
• Lead the Eye – One technique used by photographers is called “leading the eye”. By arranging visual cues in the image, you can guide the viewer to the main focus. This makes the image both more aesthetically pleasing, and more interesting for the person looking at it. Rivers leading to mountains, highways leading to houses, and green lawn leading to a house are all examples of this technique.

If you’re interested in learning more about aerial photography, or photography in general, we highly recommend reading www.photography-basics.com.