OpenAthena (optical terrain-raycast app for drone images) updated with support for Mini 4 Pro

[Theta]

Hi,

It's a great weekend to get out and fly, so accordingly we've released some more free updates for you all for OpenAthena. The app allows you to locate anything within any single drone image, turning what's usually a complex mapping task into a simple, quick action:



Our latest update for iOS and Android adds support for the DJI Mini 4 Pro. It also features significant accuracy improvements, bugfixes, and even enhanced support for various thermal camera models:



We can't wait to see what you can do with this software! The possibilities are limitless.

Link for OpenAthena iOS:
‎OpenAthena

Link for OpenAthena for Android:
OpenAthena for Android - Apps on Google Play

As a free and open source software project, we're interested in the community's thoughts and feedback, both to improve the product and ensure good compatibility with a wide range of devices. This forum, or our email at [email protected] are great ways to reach out to us. We also take user reports and Pull Requests on our GitHub page:
Theta Limited

While we aim to support as many devices as possible, images from the following drone models do not work with our software:

• DJI Phantom 4 (not inc. Pro or Advanced versions, FC330 only)
• DJI Mini 2
• DJI Mini 3 (not inc. Pro version)
• DJI Air 2 S

 

[StevenBrodsky]

What exactly does this app do? I guess I'm naive or something.
What do you mean by locate anything? And how does it identify and locate things?

Maybe i'm asking the wrong questions?

 

[Theta]

Not at all!

Good questions, as they are foundational to the functioning of the software.

The app introduces a new technique for sensor fusion of drone images (and their included metadata) with a Digital Elevation Model of terrain. A significant benefit to this approach is it can work instantly from a single drone image.

First, it processes sensor metadata automatically embeded in drone images to extract information such as camera heading, pitch, position, and focal length.

Then, it calculates an angle for whatever point you select in the image and uses it to simulate a ray out towards terrain:


Wherever that ray intersects with terrain, as represented by a 'digital twin' elevation model, is the ground coordinate for whatever you've selected within an image.

The thought is that this approach has many benefits for time sensitive applications like Search and Rescue or Public Safety and is simpler and easier to use than existing software.

Agriculture, Disaster Response, Construction, and Land Management are some other use cases that may significantly benefit from this technique.