ROME, N.Y. – Microdrones, a developer of professional unmanned aerial vehicle systems, this week announced three new integrated UAV systems based on the heavy lifting power, resilience, and efficiency of its manned aircraft. It also announced it has updated one of its systems with an aerial methane inspection sensor.

The mdMapper3000DuoG VHR, the mdMapper3000DuoG, and the mdMapper3000 PPK systems are engineered and built for professional mapping and photogrammetry (making measurements from photos) applications.

“We’re packaging manned aircraft aviation quality technology into a UAV system so that Microdrones can serve customers who have a need for wide area mapping with unparalleled accuracy and deliverables,” said Vivien Heriard-Dubreuil, president of Microdrones. “Our mdMapper3000DuoG VHR can fly higher altitudes and provide ultra-high-resolution for the most accurate and dense data for mapping service providers.”

The 3000DuoG VHR model combines the Microdrones md4-3000 aircraft platform with an integrated Phase One camera and the power of direct georeferencing, which results in one-pixel mapping accuracy from a 1,000-foot drone flight height, Microdrones said. The 100-megapixel Phase One iXM-100 camera includes a custom, lightweight, vibration-free and quick connect mount for the drones.

 

Better images, less the time

“This system is a game-changer for Microdrones, as now we can compete in some of the same arenas that photogrammetry professionals relied on manned aircraft for,” said Dr. Mohamed Mostafa, director of mdSolutions at Microdrones. “You can flight the mdMapper3000DuoG VHR at a height of 1,000 feet and achieve triple the image quality and double the direct geofreferencing in just half the time, without all of the traditional manned aircraft expenses.”

The second system, the mdMapper3000DuoG, includes direct georeferencing and a 42.4-megapixel Sony RX1R II camera paired with a lightweight, vibration-free, nadir mount. Microdrones said the system can acquire highly dense and accurate data in about half the time of PPK-based systems, and can be upgraded to VHR or LiDAR by purchasing the payload and related firmware and software subscriptions.

The third system, the mdMapper3000 PPK, can acquire dense and accurate data with just one to three ground control points, Microdrones said. Also featuring the Sony RX1R II camera and nadir mount, this system is DuoG ready and can be upgraded via firmware to direct georeferencing.

“All of these systems are designed, engineered, and built for professional mappers to build professional grade mapping products,” said Vincent LeGrande, the vice president of global sales for Microdrones. “Furthermore, these systems can grow with you. So if you start with the PPK, it’s upgradeable to add Direct Georeferencing or expand further to incorporate VHR or LiDAR. These packages are all about resilience, convenience, and geomatics performance.”

Detecting methane

The company also announced updating its mdTector1000CH4 LR, which is integrated with a Pegram Laser Methane Falcon sensor for detecting methane (CH4) and methane-containing gases from the sky. The upgraded sensor “offers a significant weight reduction by drawing on the drone power source and removing the display on previous generation detectors,” Microdrones said.

Additional information on the company and its drones can be viewed at its website.