Data Collection with the Skydio 2

 Date: 9/19/2024

The Skydio S2 features several visual scanning options using the enterprise software. The purpose of this exercise is to demonstrate and gain familiarity with the scanning function of this platform. In this lab we are specifically looking at the map capture, 2D scan, and 3D scan features and flying one of each in scenarios which replicate potential real-world applications.

The chosen site for this exercise was the William H. Daniel Turfgrass Research and Diagnostic Center (Figure 1). The turfgrass research center provides ample space for conducting flights in the form of grass research plots. Additionally, there is a parking lot which provides a space to scan vehicles and even simulate scenarios such as car accidents. On this particular day, conditions were near optimal for flying scanning missions. The conditions were 80 degrees with light breezes, but more importantly overcast skies which minimized reflections from the sun interfering with the visual scans. The most important hazard to be aware of was the presence of employees and moving vehicles maintaining the research center.

Figure 1

Map Capture

            The first mission flown was a 2D map capture of the building and parking lot at the turfgrass center (Figure 2). In this mission we programmed the S2 to fly the pictured red box in a lawn mower pattern. The settings used were 200 ft altitude, 80% overlap and side lap, and lens at 90 degrees yielding a GSD of 1.01in. The S2 performed this scan in a total of 62 pictures (Figure 3). We did not use strict geofence for this scan as there was no real hazard of collision at this altitude.

Figure 2

Figure 3

3D Capture

        After landing and allowing the platform to save the data, we proceeded to the 3D scan portion of the exercise. For this, we used a trailer parked in the lot as the subject. The settings of this scan were 80% over and side lap, and strict geofences as there were vehicles parked nearby. The settings yielded 206 photos, 4 minutes of flight, and a GSD of 2.5mm (Figure 4). While the scan has not yet been processed, the Skydio preview indicates good coverage of the trailer and ground surrounding it (Figure 5).

Figure 4

Figure 5

 

 

2D Capture

            Finally, to gain another perspective and compare the quality of different captures, we performed a 2D capture of the trailer. We flew this scan at 60ft, with 80% side and frontal overlap, 75-degree bevel on the lens, and both crosshatch and perimeter enabled yielding a GSD of .308in. The bevel on the lens was chosen at an angle so that the gimble would capture the target, and not over or under shoot it. The scan was completed in 65 images, and the Skydio preview shows overall coverage of the trailer (Figure 6). 

Figure 6

 

Metadata

Time
Time to drive to field/set up	45 minutes
Flight 1 (map capture)	6 minutes
Flight 2 (2D/3D capture)	25 minutes
Total	1hr 16 minutes

 

Images
Map capture	62
2D capture	65
3D capture	206
Total	333