Matrice 4E in practice - drone test for 3D infrastructure modeling
In our latest test, we took a look at the DJI Matrice 4E, who was tasked with making an accurate 3D model of the viaduct. Why it's important? These types of models are used m.in. at planning routes for large-volume cargoes - such as wind farm components. Precision is key, and we checked whether the Matrice 4E actually delivers it in the package.
A flight that makes a difference
The biggest change from previous models is that the the drone takes pictures from five directions in one pass - not two, not three - one. This is a huge time and logistics saver in the field. What's more, the camera can dynamically position itself, which further reduces the operation time. Even after the first few minutes of operation, you could feel that this equipment was designed with efficiency in mind.
Step by step - what the test looked like?
- Mission planning - In the application DJI Pilot 2 we marked the mapping area. The system automatically recalculated the area and prepared a preliminary flight plan.
- Flight settings - We have defined a ceiling (approx. 30 m), accuracy of images, speed and direction of flight. We adjusted the direction to the photographed viaduct.
- Mission record and takeoff - After approving the settings, we launched. The drone worked quietly and smoothly, taking 2 pictures per second. He was impressed not only by the sound of the shutter, but also by how smoothly he accelerated at the end of the lane.
- Completion of the mission - After completing the flight, the Matrice 4E automatically returned to the takeoff point, positioning itself exactly as at the beginning.
The entire drone flight DJI Matrice 4E, from takeoff to landing, covering an area of approx. 1500 m², took only 4 minutes. Impressive is not only the time, but also the precision with which the drone performs the task in such a short time.
Maneuvering under the overpass
We also wanted to test the possibility of automatically flying under the viaduct, but due to limited space and the presence of bystanders, we performed this section manually. Probably using the Waypoints it would be possible to automate the entire mission, but we have not tested this. Importantly - all the images taken have recorded precise location data (geotags), so with more advanced software it would be possible to combine the material from both flights into one coherent 3D model. This opens the door to even more accurate reconstructions even with non-standard missions.
Data processing - DJI Terra
After the flight was completed, we ripped the photogrammetric data into the DJI Terra. In order to process the material, a a computer with a dedicated NVIDIA graphics card - it is worth taking this into account when planning the project. The 3D modeling process itself took about 20 minutes, and the end result was more than satisfactory.
The model came out precise and legible - with the ability to measure the distance, volume or area of any section. Moving elements, such as people, are visible in a few places (natural for this type of reconstruction), but this does not affect the quality of the data relevant to the project.
Summary
The Matrice 4E test confirmed one thing - it it's equipment that speeds up work without compromising on quality. The ability to take a complete set of images in a single pass and seamless integration with DJI Terra make it an ideal tool for engineering, infrastructure planning and site analysis applications.
For us? Mega technological advances, which realistically translates into better performance on the ground. And that's exactly the point.
