OpenAthena™ for iOS v2.0 release: Geo-locate any point in your drone images

[Theta]

Hi!

We are Theta Informatics LLC, creators of the free and open source OpenAthena software platform for iOS and Android.

We're excited to announce the launch of OpenAthena™ for iOS v2.0.

This app introduces exciting new capabilities to your drone, greatly enhancing its mission capabilities. The app allows you to calculate the precise ground location of any pixel which appears in images taken by your drone. Our software's custom processing engine extracts metadata present in drone images and uses it with a digital elevation model to calculate the precise location on Earth of any selected point in your images. Possible applications of this technology include search and rescue, agriculture, disaster response and public safety, environmental monitoring, and land management.

The app allows you to
(for the first time ever):
1. Load any image taken by your drone
2. Automatically download an elevation map
3. Tap anywhere in the image
4. Instantly obtain its precise ground location!

+ =

The app does not report any details regarding your usage or other private information.

The app is free on the Apple App Store:

OpenAthena

OpenAthena™ is a project which allows consumer and professional drones to spot precise locations through their images. This is accomplished by combining their sensor metadata with digital elevation data to provide the instant location of what is being observed.

apps.apple.com

Our Android version is available on the Google Play, however automatic elevation model downloading will not be present until the next version:

GitHub - Theta-Limited/OpenAthenaAndroid: OpenAthena allows common drones to spot precise geodetic locations

OpenAthena allows common drones to spot precise geodetic locations - Theta-Limited/OpenAthenaAndroid

github.com

We're excited to hear about what you can do with it!

If you have any questions or feedback, please contact us at
[email protected]


Known incompatible drone models:

• DJI Phantom 4 (not inc. Pro or Advanced versions, FC330 only)
• DJI Mini 2
• DJI Air 2 S (old firmware)

Theta Informatics LLC

 

[Howard70]

This looks incredible. I haven't tried it yet, but hope to soon.

Thanks!

Howard

 

[Theta]

We've released an update v2.01 adding:
- general UI improvements
- accuracy enhancements for the DJI Mini 3 Pro and Mavic 3 Pro

It's available on the App Store now:

OpenAthena

OpenAthena™ is a project which allows consumer and professional drones to spot precise locations through their images. This is accomplished by combining their sensor metadata with digital elevation data to provide the instant location of what is being observed.

apps.apple.com

Full changes:

Checkpoint for 2.01. Fixed load custom drone models json permission … · Theta-Limited/OpenAthenaIOS@44908d8

…issue. Fixed minor nit with dark mode in load drone models view controller. Tested and updated to latest droneModels data file. Added clarifying text as to next steps once an image is loaded.

github.com

 

[Theta]

The updated values for the Mini 3 Pro in our cameras database were generated by our manual camera calibration process, described in full here:

GitHub - Theta-Limited/camera-calibration: Python script for manual camera calibration using OpenCV with images of a B/W Chessboard pattern

Python script for manual camera calibration using OpenCV with images of a B/W Chessboard pattern - Theta-Limited/camera-calibration

github.com

A new value for the Mavic 3 Pro's 1/1.3-in. Medium Telephoto Camera (EXIF model FC4382) was estimated using the best available information.

In addition to OpenAthena, we're also maintaining the cameras database as an open source project here:

GitHub - Theta-Limited/DroneModels

Contribute to Theta-Limited/DroneModels development by creating an account on GitHub.

github.com

 

[Theta]

Just verified the DJI Mini 3 is also incompatible, even though the Mini 3 Pro is.

Photos from the Mini 2 and Mini 3 are missing important metadata for the aim of the camera. This appears to be intentional on the part of DJI:

 

[Theta]

We've released v0.19.5 for the Android version of this app, improving accuracy for the Mavic 2 Zoom and Mini 3 Pro drone models:

Release v0.19.5 · Theta-Limited/OpenAthenaAndroid

v0.19.5 alpha This minor release improves accuracy for the DJI Mavic 2 Zoom and Mini 3 Pro ⚠️CAUTION: Some drone models are still un-tested. Use appropriately.⚠️ Feedback would be appreciated! Let ...

github.com

(also available in Google Play)

We are still in the process of improving the Android app to automate Elevation Map download for your selected drone image (as is present in the iOS version).

 

[landscapetog]

We've released v0.19.5 for the Android version of this app, improving accuracy for the Mavic 2 Zoom and Mini 3 Pro drone models:

Release v0.19.5 · Theta-Limited/OpenAthenaAndroid

v0.19.5 alpha This minor release improves accuracy for the DJI Mavic 2 Zoom and Mini 3 Pro ⚠️CAUTION: Some drone models are still un-tested. Use appropriately.⚠️ Feedback would be appreciated! Let ...

github.com

(also available in Google Play)

We are still in the process of improving the Android app to automate Elevation Map download for your selected drone image (as is present in the iOS version).

This software is such a remarkable accomplishment.

Check it out!