Propeller Aero’s ground-control points aim for UAV accuracy

Propeller Aero has introduced AeroPoints — smart ground-control points designed to make it easy to capture survey­accurate mapping using drones.

The patent-­pending technology provides a simple solution to a major roadblock to widespread commercial drone adoption: accuracy.

Typical ground control requires establishing precise geolocation position using surveying equipment, and then securing a visible ground marker exactly on the pre­-marked GPS point.

AeroPoints are portable ground-control markers, visible from the air and capable of quickly capturing their own positions down to 2-centimeter absolute accuracy.

AeroPoints work with any camera or drone, and integrate seamlessly with Propeller’s cloud­-based data platform and processing engine (see above story). They’re solar­-powered, durable and weather­ resistant, and they don’t require any on­site connection.

To use AeroPoints, customers simply lay them down, fly their drone, and then pick them up again. They automatically connect to a wireless or mobile hotspot when back in range to upload captured positional data — and precision georeferencing is done.

See also DJI joins Propeller Aero on turnkey solutions.