Sensors
FLIR Cameras
There is a wide range of thermal imaging FLIR cameras that are developed specifically for drones. See this link for available models.
Still photograph camera
Conservation Drones have been equipped with Canon’s IXUS 220 HS, Powershot SX230 HS, Powershot SX260 HS and Powershot S100 cameras. The latter three cameras have a built-in GPS. We replaced the original firmware of these Canon cameras with a Canon Hack Development Kit (chdk.wikia.com). This ‘hacked’ firmware allows us to implement a customized intervalometer script (click to download) to command the camera to take photographs at 1-second time intervals. We suggest the following settings in the camera’s menu:
GPS Settings (camera’s ‘native’ menu)
GPS: ON
GPS Logger: OFF
GPS-Settings (CHDK menu)
GPS-CHDK: OFF
To compensate for movement of the drone in flight, we recommend setting the camera for ‘shutter priority‘ (Tv) and at a speed of > f 1/1000. Under this setting, our test photographs effectively avoided motion blur.
Documentation of camera set-up by Dronemapper.com:
- Detailed CHDK firmware installation instructions (Link)
- Detailed graphical instructions on optimal CHDK settings (Link)
- Guidelines on aerial data collection and flight planning (Link)
See more high resolution photographs here: Flickr link
Video camera
The Conservation Drone can also be equipped with a video camera. We have been using the GoPro series of cameras for our drones. In our opinion, the latest GoPro Hero 3 Black Edition has the best video quality of all the action cameras we have tested so far. It even has a wifi feature that allows ‘live’ preview on an iOS device. The GoPro camera can be attached to the drones in various placements.
Other video cameras
We have also used a ContourGPS video camera, which has similar specifications as the GoPro. The ContourGPS also allow for video mapping using its built-in GPS.
Thermal imaging camera
We have been testing themal imaging cameras on some of our drones. This is a test of a FLIR HS-324 thermal camera (320 x 240 resolution) carried by a Maja drone.
This is another FLIR model, a PS-32, carried by a quadcopter.
This next video demonstrates the ability of the FLIR PS-32 to pick up animals from a distance of about 10-15 meters.
I was wondering what you recommend for shooting near-infrared imagery that can be used for vegetation mapping?
Hi Matthew, check out PublicLab’s NIR information. Very rich website there.
do you have any way to geotag photos taken with the Gopro? is there a suggested way to do this?
Yes, we use geosetter to do this. I find that easier than using mission planner to do this. Basically you make a gpx file from the tlog in the mission planner and then use that to sync images with the gpx file. The simple alternative is not to use a gopro, but a video camera with a GPS built-in (contour, sony, etc). I hope this helps.
Hi, can someone on here please help me in ideas on attaching a Flir scout to a quadcopter, with this DVR concept? I watched the video above with the Flir PS32, and would love to do something similar.
thanks,
eli
ejoquinn@gmail.com
7068338505
Hi,
I suggest you look into the FLIR Vue cameras. They have a recorder on them which makes things easier than with a system in which you have to add a DVR.
Best,
Serge