Fixed-Wing vs. Multirotor Drone LiDAR

In this video, I explore the intricate differences between Fixed Wing ✈️ and Multirotor Drones 🚁 in the context of LiDAR data capture.

Discover how the design and functionality of fixed wing versus multirotor drones influence LiDAR data quality, coverage, and operational efficiency. From explaining the basics of LiDAR technology to analyzing flight patterns and environmental factors, this video covers essential knowledge for professionals and enthusiasts alike. Whether you're intrigued by the technical details of LiDAR scanning or seeking practical advice on drone selection for your projects, join us for a comprehensive examination of these cutting-edge aerial survey technologies.

Expect to learn about:

✅ The latest advancements in Drone LiDAR.
✅ Comparative analysis of fixed wing and multi rotor drones for LiDAR.
✅ Real-world applications and challenges in LiDAR data capture.
✅ Expert tips on optimizing LiDAR surveys with drones.

This video is a must-watch for anyone interested in drone technology, aerial surveying, or LiDAR mapping. If you have questions or want to dive deeper into the world of drone-based LiDAR, leave your comments below 💬.

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#LiDAR #Drones #FixedWingVsMultiRotor #AerialSurvey #DroneTechnology #3DMapping #DJI #Wingtra #ROCKRobotic #dronepilot #dronelife

[jet_flyer]

I completely see where you're coming from comparing fixed wing vs multi rotor in all the experience you have. But a lot of the issues you presented about lack of consistency in the data could be fixed by certain parameters you can adjust (at least with the autopolit software I use) and any accuracy issues I feel like would be resolved by being able to take a lot more passes thanks to the significantly longer flight times. Not doubting your experience and I agree with the issues you presented, just saying it seems like there are solutions to a lot of the issues you mentioned. Sure it would take more work to get it done with a fixed wing and those issues in mind, but you would be able to get a lot more data per flight.

[RamiTamimi]

Thanks for the video! I definitely see how the fix wing system has some draw backs, it really should be used for certain jobs and not all jobs. Seems like a great drone type for larger projects.

[Erdal_Gumus]

Hello, Knoll.
Based on my RGB photogrammetry experience, the performance and capabilities of fixed-wing drones (gliders) are highly topography-dependent. For example, in one of my research projects, I used Ebee Sensefly to model hydrothermal chimneys in a valley. Because of the collision avoidance, the drone flew so high that the results were marginally better than Google Earth imagery. As a result, gliders work best in relatively flat or uniform topographies, for the rest, a multirotor drone such as DJI Mavic or Matrice series would be more convenient.

[VictoriaKean]

This is very informative Harrison. Thanks for sharing your experience with some of the differences between fixed wing and multirotor drones!

[bzdrone]

Spot on simple video with even more simple examples, nice sound effects lol, No but thank you for explaining this, hearing and seeing this does indeed put a lot of clarity on the major differences between the two Lidar platforms. Windcocking and overlap nightmares, never crossed my mind, and thats just one of the scenarios. Nice work!

[arhidrona]

Thank you for the informative insight on Fixed-Wing VS Multirotor Drone LiDAR. This is a helpful video and I hope you won't stop making this kind of educative funny graphics videos. Keep up the good work, mate! Let us know if you return to Romania, some of us would like to meet you :)

[MDFire]

All good points. As with all UAS missions, there's not going to be a one-size-fits-all solution. Having a few different types of UAS in your 'hanger' will allow you to pick the best tool for the specific job. Keep up the good work!!

[ryan]

Well done. Great detail and it makes great sense. Thanks for taking the time to prepare and present this video.

[aaron]

This was a wonderful comparison of fixed wing vs multirotor. Thanks for putting this together!

[bowen]

So glad you made this video, keep it up!

[flowerpt]

Wow, I learned a lot, especially scenarios I'd never considered.
Assuming fixed-wing is called for, why not use a gimbal to do automatic slew compensation?
Or dynamically adjust air speed plus gimbal elevation to compensate for terrain/flightpath discrepancies?
Seems like some algorithmic work could improves the workability of some tricky scenarios if you've gotta use fixed wing for other reasons.

[thiagoamaralf]

Amazing video, I think fixed wings are good for areas which does not give you flexibility on reaching by land, so you can cover a huge area without the need to move on land and find a spot to park and take off from, which with the mult rotor depending of the distance you are not able to fly because you would spend your battery on the way and you still need to come back.... etc and considering that you cannot reach the spot by land...

[VictoriaKean]

I'd love to see videos in the future comparing processing software - speed, classification and noise cleanup, pricing

[nunosantos]

Not to mention, that most of the fixed wing drones only update the flight line height at the end of the line, not following the terrain.

[X]

It seems like it would be trivial, in fact I am sure it can be done in even hobbyist autopilots, to have the fixed wing plane fly at a fixed ground speed (obviously within reason depending on the windspeed and the power of the aircraft - if it is a 80mph wind or something you probably aren't flying). You can't fly a slower downwind groundspeed than windspeed + stall speed, I suppose, but on a properly designed drone that should be plenty slow for any windspeed that would be reasonable for flying.

The climbing slower vs descending faster is the same issue, with ample power reserves it is absolutely something that a fixed wing can accommodate. At the extremes, a multirotor actually has the same issue, there is a certain point where a multirotor will need all of its power to climb to follow the terrain and will necessarily have to go slower while ascending...

I feel a like a simple servo actuator on the LIDAR device would be able to keep the beam exactly perpendicular to the flight path regardless of any crabbing done by the plane. Again this would be easily set up in a hobby autopilot....

[nanirayavarapu]

The big limitation i noticed with Fixed wing or Multirotor (M3E) is the RC. As much as we can swap lot of batteries for my M3E, the RC battery life limits how much data can i collect in a day. For M350, there's a battery swap, but, not sure how many batteries will the RC lasts as it heats up a lot. and YES, YOU'RE RIGHT, Fixed wing is good for initial run for green field projects not more than that. Landing a fixed wing is sometimes pain. Thanks for the video. Hope you can expand in India.

[Daniel-qrsx]

For photogrammetry I believe fixed wings is the way to go, and you can also get huge areas photographed fast. Especially with something like the deltaquad EVO or eqvivalent.

Helicopter drones are excellent for Lidar and smaller areas.

[ArjayMartin]

Have the lidar rotate in relation to the crabbing...

[AdrianMarina]

1:36 you say you went to Romania? I want to know more about that. Appreciate your efforts for educating everyone.

[AdamBomb]

We had a client from the UK insist that we use a Wingtra on a project in Western Canada. We investigated but had concerns with the ability for the vehicle to accommodate for cold and strong winds. We eventually told them that we refuse to invest in it for this project. We have been collecting data on the same 1000 acres for 46 straight weeks during the project duration. We would probably be on our 3rd Wingtra if we decided to buy it.