Photogrammetry

Aerial drone imagery is changing the way professionals carry out inspections and surveying. Photogrammetry techniques are used to process images collected by UAVs to create 2D and 3D models. These digital twins allow our customers to plan maintenance. 

4G gives an unprecedented robustness to the drone data link. Our customers can operate their drone in large areas, near metallic structures, buildings, without losing the connection.

When Ai meets visual inspection 

By combining the artificial intelligence of our drone with that of PIX4Dinspect online platform, our users will perform inspections faster and more efficiently than ever. Machine learning algorithms recognize antennas on cell towers, and extract their dimensions, height, downtilt, azimuth and plumb.

Click the images below to explore demo 3D models.

Best in-class sensor

ANAFI Ai embeds a 48 MP 1/2'' CMOS sensor. Equipped with a Quad Bayer color filter pattern, specifically suited for inspection and photogrammetry. Our sensor allows to capture highly detailed images with a wide dynamic range.

High resolution stills

ANAFI Ai generates 48 MP still photos, so customers can capture all details in high definition and generate high density point clouds.

Great sharpness

Inspection missions require the ability to identify minute details, such as serial numbers, connectors, rust spots, and incipient cracks.

Wide dynamic range

10 stops of dynamic range in Standard mode, 14 stops in HDR mode. Optimal gradation of your images is essential to generate consistent point clouds and high quality 2D or 3D reconstructions.

55% more details than 1’’ sensors

The 1/2'' Quad Bayer 48 MP sensor outperforms in sharpness the 1'' 20 MP sensors embedded in several professional drones.

The following images taken from a roof inspection mission taken at the same altitude illustrate that well.

Ideal for inspection

The ANAFI Ai gimbal embeds a 6-axis hybrid (mechanical + electronic) stabilization system, which compensates the flight vibrations and guarantees sharp images.

ANAFI Ai’s camera has a controllable range of -90° to +90°, making it the ideal aerial tool for inspecting the underside of a bridge deck.

Survey-grade accuracy

ANAFI Ai allows users to reach a 0.46 cm/px GSD at 30 m, meaning a relative accuracy in planimetry to within 0.92 cm.

For comparison, at the same altitude, the DJI Phantom 4 Pro v2 only delivers a GSD of 0.82 cm/px. In other words, ANAFI Ai can map the same target while flying more than 1.5 times higher than a Phantom, with an equivalent level of detail.

One app. Any flight plan.

Launch all your surveying, inspection and photogrammetry missions all from FreeFlight 7.

Photogrammetry flight modes available in FreeFlight 7.

Grid, double-grid and Orbit missions from the PIX4Dcapture flight planning app are now integrated into the ANAFI Ai flight app.

1-Click flight plan creation

A click on FreeFlight 3D interactive map is all it takes to generate a quick building scanning. Artificial Intelligence automatically defines optimum flight parameters and trajectory. The 48 MP images precisely geotagged by ANAFI Ai sensors (IMU, GNSS & Time of Flight) allow an accurate 3D reconstruction.

FreeFlight 7’s mapping background comes from ArcGIS. 3D buildings representation is based on OpenStreetMap data, which covers cities all over the world.

Perception systems ensure the safety of the flight plan: users don't need to worry about obstacles. ANAFI Ai avoids them autonomously.

Autonomous flight

ANAFI Ai’s omnidirectional sensing system, based on stereoscopic vision, is automatically oriented in the direction of movement.

The drone detects obstacles located at 30 m (100 ft). While performing a flight plan, Artificial Intelligence technology continuously builds and updates an occupancy grid. It represents the drone’s environment in voxels.

Algorithms determine the best trajectory to avoid obstacles, while the drone stays focused on its objective: the flight mission.

4G connectivity

ANAFI Ai is the first commercial micro-drone equipped with a 4G module. It covers more than 98% of the frequencies used worldwide.

The drone seamlessly switches from Wi-Fi to 4G, and vice versa, favoring the strongest connection. This guarantees:

• Ability to conduct BVLOS flight operations
• Stable connection, even when flying in environments cluttered with obstacles and buildings
• Safe flights in interference-rich environments
• 1080p 30 fps live streaming
• Direct images upload to cloud servers

Flight time optimization

Achieve significant time efficiency thanks to ANAFI Ai’s imaging specifications:

• The 48 MP allows the drone to fly more than 1.5 times higher than drones with 1’’ 20 MP sensors, while reaching the same GSD. Higher altitude and faster mission go hand in hand.
• Photo capture at 1 fps: ANAFI Ai shoots twice faster than Autel EVO 2 and DJI Phantom 4 Pro v2.

In-flight 4G transfer to PIX4Dcloud

In the process of creating a digital twin from UAV aerial imagery, file transfer and photo processing are two time-consuming tasks.
ANAFI Ai helps our customers speed up their workflow and:

• Transfer images to secure servers during the flight, leveraging the drone’s 4G connectivity
• Immediately start computing objects when flight ends: orthomosaic maps, point clouds, elevation models and textured mesh
• Easily share survey-grade 2D maps and 3D models with collaborators and clients

Compatible with the PIX4D Suite

A unique suite of mobile, desktop and cloud Photogrammetry applications, consisting of:

Why you should choose Photogrammetry for surveying and inspections

Aside from its affordability and ease of use, aerial photogrammetry is your best choice when a visual interpretation of data is needed.

Photogrammetry indeed:

• Provides multiple renderings: orthomosaic maps, colored point clouds, textured mesh
• Generates higher density point clouds, each containing a significant amount of information (elevation, texture, color)
• Outperforms LIDAR in the accuracy of 2D and 3D renderings, which are photorealistic – LIDAR does not provide a high level of contextual detail

LIDAR cons

• Costs up to 100 times more than a UAV with an RGB sensor
• Complexity of data processing and potential errors of interpretation
• Adding color information is possible, but it makes the process even more complex
• Reserved for specific use cases and situations, LIDAR generates only point clouds