Hey guys,

I recently met a guy (friend of a friend of a friend!) who consults for mining operations. Someone mentioned 'drones' to him and my friend mentioned my name...

Now I am well aware that this is beyond my current capability, but I have been hitting google and wiki pretty hard in an attempt to give a good account of myself, and provide accurate and up to date information... Which is probably already out of date since yesterday!

I suggested fixed a wing platform to cover larger areas in the shortest time, but they are considering using multi-rotors equipped with LIDAR. In addition to the capability they bring to inspecting difficult to reach areas, they want to provide better supervision and safety. I have looked but I can't seem to find a platform that would handle the dusty environment on a daily basis without constant repair / replacement.

Before my wonderful ability to over-complicate and re-invent the wheel kicks in, I thought I'd ask if anyone has any suggestions for an 'off the shelf' solution?

Not sure if this is what meets your requirements, but I recently seen video about DJI's platform designing to something that sounds like what you are saying https://www.dji.com/matrice600-pro

First thing is first.......What kind of information do they need, how accurate, in what format, what are they planning on doing with it, how are they going to present it?   All this is going to drive cost including any special requirements the have for the drone due to environmental conditions.  Some folks don't need the level of accuracy or type of data that LIDAR provides.  It may be all they need is some level of photogrammetry or just infrared or thermal data.  The type of equipment and accuracy level they require needs to be ironed out, then find a drone (or build one) that meets their requirements and will work within the environment they have to operate in.  They can have it fast, accurate,cheap....pick any two.  Good luck!

To be honest, a hobbyist forum isn't the kind of place to look for commercial advice.

If the guy who asked you is a consultant, then I'm sure he's being paid enough to spend some money talking to real experts in the UAV surveying business and pass that cost on to his customer.

Personally, I don't mind sharing knowledge with other hobbyists but I've always disliked working for free. Consulting isn't free and neither should it be.

(16-Nov-2017, 10:13 PM)unseen Wrote: To be honest, a hobbyist forum isn't the kind of place to look for commercial advice.

Personally, I don't mind sharing knowledge with other hobbyists but I've always disliked working for free. Consulting isn't free and neither should it be.

Fair point..! If you choose to remain 'unseen' in this thread I won't take offence!

Personally, it doesn't feel much like work to me, I sit researching 'drone' stuff in the mornings anyway. 
When my addiction 1st manifested, I set myself the target of obtaining my RPL within 5 years. Now almost 2 years on I have gained a massive amount of knowledge and a small amount of experience (not nearly enough of either, and very little actual wisdom   ), but I don't feel like I have actually moved a millimeter closer to this goal. This is at least giving my focus a bit of direction!

Quote:Not sure if this is what meets your requirements, but I recently seen video about DJI's platform designing to something that sounds like what you are saying...

The Matrice 600 looks good, but despite the 'dust proof' motors and massive payload capacity I don't see it lasting long working day in, day out in these conditions. The 600mm chassis is a bit bigger than what I am aiming for working in confined areas, the tolerances of something this size worry me a bit too.

I found a product from 'SenseFly' who are a subsidiary of Parrot, they have a quad called the Albris which has video, still and thermal imaging, close but no LiDAR! 

Quote:What kind of information do they need, how accurate, in what format, what are they planning on doing with it, how are they going to present it?

They have expressed their desire to use LiDAR on a multi rotor platform, I assume they also want real time HD video too.

The goal is to provide improved safety from better supervision using mobile aerial cameras to oversee the operations of heavy machinery in the quarry, also the functionality of conducting inspections will be a useful benefit. Obviously the longest possible flight time is  quite high on the list of priorities.

I think that to survey wide tracts of land, a separate fixed wing platform would be better suited, this could then be used in conjunction with multi rotors to cover any steep cliffs and other areas a fixed wing may have difficulty collecting accurate data.

I have come across the Velodyne 'LiDAR Puck' it only weighs about 800g, with 100m LiDAR range, better for inspections than surveys...

Quote: They can have it fast, accurate,cheap....pick any two.  Good luck! 

 
I think accuracy trumps speed, and cheap is out the window..! I think the LiDAR Puck is priced at about $8000, the connex Pro-sight HD FPV  VTX is another $1500 plus the cost of the camera, we are at $10,000 USD and we haven't even started yet!!!

(17-Nov-2017, 05:30 PM)Tom BD Bad Wrote: Fair point..! If you choose to remain 'unseen' in this thread I won't take offence!

Personally, it doesn't feel much like work to me, I sit researching 'drone' stuff in the mornings anyway. 
When my addiction 1st manifested, I set myself the target of obtaining my RPL within 5 years. Now almost 2 years on I have gained a massive amount of knowledge and a small amount of experience (not nearly enough of either, and very little actual wisdom   ), but I don't feel like I have actually moved a millimeter closer to this goal. This is at least giving my focus a bit of direction!



The Matrice 600 looks good, but despite the 'dust proof' motors and massive payload capacity I don't see it lasting long working day in, day out in these conditions. The 600mm chassis is a bit bigger than what I am aiming for working in confined areas, the tolerances of something this size worry me a bit too.

I found a product from 'SenseFly' who are a subsidiary of Parrot, they have a quad called the Albris which has video, still and thermal imaging, close but no LiDAR! 



They have expressed their desire to use LiDAR on a multi rotor platform, I assume they also want real time HD video too.

The goal is to provide improved safety from better supervision using mobile aerial cameras to oversee the operations of heavy machinery in the quarry, also the functionality of conducting inspections will be a useful benefit. Obviously the longest possible flight time is  quite high on the list of priorities.

I think that to survey wide tracts of land, a separate fixed wing platform would be better suited, this could then be used in conjunction with multi rotors to cover any steep cliffs and other areas a fixed wing may have difficulty collecting accurate data.

I have come across the Velodyne 'LiDAR Puck' it only weighs about 800g, with 100m LiDAR range, better for inspections than surveys...



 
I think accuracy trumps speed, and cheap is out the window..! I think the LiDAR Puck is priced at about $8000, the connex Pro-sight HD FPV  VTX is another $1500 plus the cost of the camera, we are at $10,000 USD and we haven't even started yet!!!

You're correct...you haven't started yet.  You'll need survey quality GPS (L1&L2)if you're going to be using LIDAR, you'll need heave pitch and roll sensors as well.  You need a computer with some serious beans to process LIDAR data and the software to do it.  IF you want it accurate and fast, cheap is out the window, if you want it fast and cheap, accuracy goes out the window, cheap and accurate, fast goes out the window.  All about balance.  Enjoy!