Drone technology has become quite advanced lately. From aerial reconnaissance missions to terrain mapping and fertiliser spraying, these drones can do it all. However, in order to control the flight of these unmanned flying vehicles, you need good ground control software. There are several such software on the horizon now. Apart from UgCS, you have a range of applications from DJI.
Drone Software: Features and Prices
If you are looking for the best software package for your drone, this article will help you form a good idea. We’ll compare the industry leader UgCS (Universal Ground Control Software) with DJI’s own list of software applications. You can compare the UgCS prices and its features with these software applications to decide what suits you best.
UgCS
UgCS is designed for automated flight operations of UAVs. It offers a wide range of features that facilitate mission planning, real-time control, and data management.
- Mission Planning: UgCS for DJI allows users to plan missions by defining waypoints, flight paths, and actions for the drone. It supports 2D and 3D mission planning, enabling operators to create complex routes, adjust altitudes, and set camera parameters.
- Real-time Flight Control: With UgCS, you can monitor and control your drone in real-time during the mission. The software provides a user-friendly interface with live telemetry data, such as altitude, speed, battery status, and GPS signal strength. It also supports manual control options for takeoff, landing, and emergency situations.
- GIS Data Integration: The software seamlessly integrates with geographic information system (GIS) data, allowing you to import and overlay maps, terrain data, and other relevant information. This integration enhances mission planning and provides valuable context for your drone operations.
- Obstacle Avoidance: UgCS includes advanced obstacle avoidance capabilities to ensure the safety of your drone. It can generate virtual 3D models of the environment based on imported GIS data and warn operators of potential obstacles along the planned flight path.
- Automated Photogrammetry: For applications such as aerial mapping and surveying, UgCS offers automated photogrammetry features. It enables precise and efficient image capture, automatic camera triggering, and seamless integration with photogrammetry software for accurate 3D model generation.
- Telemetry and Data Logging: The software records telemetry data from each mission, including sensor readings, flight parameters, and actions performed by the drone. This information can be used for post-mission analysis, troubleshooting, and optimizing future missions.
These features make UgCS a powerful and versatile ground control software for UAVs, offering comprehensive mission planning, real-time control, and data management capabilities. UgCS is available in three different versions – Pro, Expert, and Enterprise. These are prices at €790, €1490, and €2190 respectively.
Pix4Dcloud
It is a cloud-based photogrammetry and mapping software offered by Pix4D, a leading provider of drone mapping and modelling solutions.
Pix4Dcloud allows you to process and analyse aerial imagery and drone data entirely in the cloud, eliminating the need for powerful local hardware or specialised software. This feature enables users to access and work with their data from anywhere with an internet connection.
It enables the generation of highly accurate and detailed 2D orthomosaic maps and 3D models. By processing images captured by drones or other cameras, it stitches them together to create a single, georeferenced map or model.
The software provides georeferencing capabilities, allowing you to accurately position your maps and models in geographic space. It supports various coordinate systems and can integrate with global navigation satellite systems (GNSS) for precise positioning.
Pix4Dcloud Advanced software has an annual subscription rate of $2000 or about €1800.
DJI Terra
Apart from UgCS for DJI, there is also DJI Terra, a powerful software solution designed for drone mapping and modelling. It allows professionals in industries like construction, agriculture, and mining to capture aerial imagery and convert it into 2D maps or 3D models. With advanced photogrammetry algorithms, DJI Terra simplifies the mapping process, enabling users to generate accurate data for analysis, visualisation, and decision-making.
DJI Terra allows users to create high-resolution 2D orthomosaic maps and realistic 3D models of landscapes and structures. By stitching together a large number of aerial images captured by DJI drones, the software generates detailed maps that can be used for surveying, inspection, and visualisation purposes.
The software incorporates advanced algorithms for object detection and classification. It can automatically identify and categorise various objects such as buildings, roads, vegetation, and water bodies in the captured imagery.
Conclusion
If you need a drone for advanced research purposes, it must also be equipped with the best drone control and mapping software. UgCS by SPH Engineering, Pix4Dcloud, and DJI Terra are three of the best drone mapping software out there. These software have plenty of advanced features like photogrammetry and LiDAR toolset to generate accurate datasets. You should choose the software that best suits your needs and budget. You can compare the UgCS prices with other software and choose which one fits you best.