Intellishoot L1L2 PPK Geotagging System Now Available

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The Intellishoot L1L2 PPK Geotagging System is now available as a stand-alone module for integration with Event 38, Pixhawk and DJI powered unmanned aircraft. This PPK GPS system is built in-house by Event 38 and is powered by the Piksi Multi core. Currently, it supports GPS L1/L2C, Glonass G1/G2 and SBAS. It is hardware ready for Galileo E1/E5b, BeiDou B1/B2, and QZSS L1/L2 via firmware update in the future. The primary advantages of working with a dual frequency setup are a faster time to fix, more reliable fix holding, and single solution post-processing. By using two frequencies from each satellite, dual frequency receivers are able to more quickly determine ionospheric conditions and calculate a high accuracy fix faster. This also allows them to recover from a loss of fix and pick up new satellites as they come into view more quickly. With single frequency PPK, there can be multiple solutions produced when post-processing the GPS data. This means that the solution can be affected by, for example, where in the GPS string you clip the data to start and stop processing. L1L2 produces only a single solution, making post-processing easier and more consistent.

The accuracy produced by an L1L2 system in good conditions is typically not higher than with an L1-only system. However, in marginal conditions where a Q1 solution may be intermittently lost, L1L2 is better at maintaining Q1 solutions for longer and re-acquiring them more quickly when lost. In our case study, we produced results with horizontal and vertical RMSE of 2.82cm and 3.62cm respectively from 100m AGL flying height. To learn more, see the full case study.

The Intellishoot System from Event 38 consists of an enclosed module with external GPS antenna and precision geotagging softare which extracts event markers from the RINEX file and performs additional adjustments to the geotags to improve accuracy depending on the parameters of your sensor and setup. Systems are available for purchase both individually and for integration with Event 38 aircraft. Please contact us for further information.

FLIR Vue Pro Radiometric Sample Data Now Available

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Thermal imagery, with its lower resolution and contrast, can be particularly challenging to collect at high quality and even more challenging to stitch into an orthomosaic. With a radiometric sensor, it usually makes sense to perform the actual image analysis individually for each image. For visualization purposes though, creating an orthomosaic does help provide a better big picture view. With the FLIR Vue Pro line of cameras, images are automatically geotagged in flight when purchased or otherwise integrated with an Event 38 aircraft. The operator must then collect data at an appropriate altitude and time of day depending on the application, and collect imagery with enough overlap to be stitched. Here we have a scene with mixed vegetation, pavement, buildings and cars, making stitching relatively easy. Still, we planned for 70% overlap and sidelap to be safe. Higher overlaps may be needed in areas with less distinct features. We also recommend planning to leave at least 2.5 seconds between image captures and to use a class 10 SD card. FLIR cameras can sometimes get behind while trying to save imagery to memory, and then subsequently start missing images. This can be particularly tricky with FLIR cameras because they can usually handle the higher trigger rate for dozens to hundreds of images before falling behind and then missing every other shot for the rest of the mission. Remember to keep winds in mind if you must plan to fly any down-wind segments. If possible, fly crosswind and advance flight lines into the wind so the apparent groundspeed is always less than standard cruise speed.

If you’d like to download the full set of images, you can get access here. This is radiometric data, so be sure to also download a trial of FLIR Tools to get started analyzing in depth. See the annotations below for some interesting features to inspect.

1. Human standing at corner of pavement as seen from FLIR Vue Pro R 640, 9mm from 140m AGL
2. Bare metal roof reflects low temperature of sky
3. Section of grass field damaged by persistent standing water

E384-Heavy Configuration Now Available

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The E384-Heavy is a special configuration of the E384 that is built to meet user specifications. Using flaps to increase lift at low speeds, the E384-Heavy can take off and land at up to 9 pounds MTOW. Even at this high weight, it is possible to hand launch and belly-land the aircraft, so you don’t need to carry bulky launch or recovery equipment to the flying site. The larger fuselage volume allows it to carry even the largest cameras in landscape orientation, for the maximum mapping efficiency. The E384-Heavy can cover as much as 1,900 acres (770Ha) at 400′ (120m) AGL or 4,200 acres (1,700Ha) at 3.9cm/pixel with the Sony RX1R II.

The E384-Heavy can be modified to carry other payloads like the FLIR Duo Pro R for security applications, or even small parcels for delivery to remote locations. Founder of Event 38, Jeff Taylor, says, “The Heavy configuration addresses the needs of serious UAS operations that are now taking on the kinds of mapping work previously reserved for light aircraft. It is now conceivable to map dozens of square kilometers a day with a portable drone, or to perform surveys of remote sites 10km or more from the nearest launch site.”

The E384-Heavy can be tailored to each type of mission for best performance. Contact us to discuss your project.

42MP Full Frame Sony RX1R II Now Available

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After extensive testing, Event 38 is releasing another all-new camera option for E384/6 users. The Sony RX1R II is a 42 Megapixel, full frame camera that produces the highest quality imagery ever from an Event 38 aircraft.

The RX1R II is able to produce ground resolutions of 1.35cm/pixel at 100m AGL flying height. It can be used to produce particularly detailed orthomosaics and elevation models.  Alternatively, the extreme resolution could allow the ability to fly higher and cover much larger areas at moderate resolution very efficiently. Contact us to learn more about the best aircraft configuration for each situation.

The high resolution imagery also improves PPK GPS results, and the RX1R II is compatible with PPK GPS on certain aircraft configurations. The high resolution makes it easier to identify the location of GCPs more accurately.

The RX1R II is ready to ship now with new Event 38 aircraft and can be added to existing E384 units with certain upgrades. Please contact us for more information or to see sample imagery.

Event 38 Adds Sony R10C Sensor

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Event 38 is proud to announce the addition to our lineup of our smartest and most integrated imaging sensor ever, the Sony R10C.

The R10C is Sony’s camera made specifically for embedded applications. Sony grants Event 38 access to the full camera controls available to the internal software. This allows us an unprecedented level of control over the camera in flight. With the R10C, we are able to ensure that the camera maintains its configuration to obtain the best quality images for every flight – no more concerns about setting the shutter speed or power timeouts for long transits. When paired with the companion computer, we can also geotag the images in real time and save them to a conveniently located thumb drive. If you plan to primarily map with the R10C and companion computer, you may never need to take out the camera or SD card at all.

The R10C remains compatible with our PPK GPS systems and its specs are identical to the Sony QX-1 in weight and resolution. It is available now as an option for new E384/E386 aircraft. We are also making it available stand-alone for users wishing to integrate it into their own aircraft. Please contact us for further information.

E384-LR Adds Two New Custom Software Features

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All new E384-LR Aircraft will now feature the addition of two new features designed to make them even more reliable and consistent for mapping large areas.


Wind Resist – Automatically optimizes flight speed to balance efficiency and ground coverage when headwinds reduce forward progress. Speeds up progress on windy days and improves the area that can be covered in each flight. Also improves safety for flying at high altitudes or in windy areas where wind speed may overcome the standard E384’s max cruise speed.

Terrain Follow – Loads in terrain altitude from global SRTM data or can accept custom DEMs. Automatically follows the terrain of the land to ensure a consistent ground sampling distance and to avoid crashing into hills or mountains.

These features will ship on all new E384-LR aircraft ordered from Event 38. Upgrades to existing E384-LR’s are possible with factory testing and refurbishment. Please contact us for more information.

All New Scout Drone Now Available

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The much anticipated Scout drone is now available from Event 38 and worldwide partners. The Scout is designed to be a small, lightweight and transportable drone that falls under the 2kg exception several countries have made for flying UAS with fewer restrictions. Its small size also makes it easy for beginner drone users to approach as it requires little configuration and no flying skills. The extremely durable airframe is also forgiving of landings on or in a wide variety of surfaces and vegetation.

Despite its small size and 1.37kg weight, the Scout is still a workhorse. Its 60 minute endurance allows it to fly over 240Ha (600 acres) per flight at 120m (400ft) AGL. Its high wing loading makes it less susceptible to turbulence than similarly sized light drones. It also makes it better able to pierce through strong headwinds with its 48kph (30mph) cruise speed. It can also make its landing approach at a 20% gradient without picking up excess speed in any wind conditions, for more convenient auto-landings near obstacles.

The Scout will begin shipping on November 1st starting with standard payloads of Sony WX500 and Canon S110s. Micasense RedEdge and Parrot Sequoia will be made available soon after. The starting price of the package including radios, a battery and charger is USD $2,190.

Sample Orthomosaic Created by Scout

PPK GPS Now Available

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PPK GPS receivers are now available for integration with the E384/6 family of aircraft. See how the accuracy stacks up in our comprehensive case study.

Learn more about upgrading or adding PPK to a new aircraft.

Major Drone Data Management System™ Update

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Major new features to the Drone Data Management System™ and new pricing are effective immediately for Pro and Advanced tier subscribers. To learn more, see our release notes on Droneyard or visit the DDMS™ page to sign up.

We Robotics uses E384 to Deliver Anti-Venom in Amazon

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Non-profit organization We Robotics has achieved a world first by delivering anti-venom to a small village in the Peruvian Amazon. The area is densely forested and most transportation is on the water. As a result, transporting medical supplies from the nearest city can take up to 6 hours for a 35km trip. We Robotics has modified an E384, developed procedures and successfully navigated regulations in order to make the same delivery in just 35 minutes. For a region that reports 45 snakebites per year, their accomplishment may mean the difference between life and death.

Read more about the project here.