Automated missions for a utility company

[sbj175]

I have a potential job with a trash utility where they want to do an audit of their non-paying customers to see if they are placing trash on pickup day.

In support of this, I have developed software to auto-create Litchi CSV missions by taking a set of GPS points (predetermined by proximity and pickup day in QGIS) and
1) calculate the most efficient route through all of the points,
2) adjust altitude for elevation with Google's elevation API, and
3) take a predetermined set of photos at each point [I can change this, but thinking a) nadir, b) angled shots at the same ground point from 50' east and 50' west]

I have been able to generate and fly sample missions with Litchi and my Air 2S, but unable to find a good drone and software solution to run these as on-board missions.

I am looking for input regarding what might be the best DJI drone to support this, and obviously accompanying software that would support what I'm trying to do. I've been looking at the DJI Drone Waypoint Support page, but if I understand that page correctly there are no DJI drones supported by Litchi that also support on-board waypoints.

I initially had my eye on the Mavic 3E, but unsure of the software support to make this work. Would I create a Litchi CSV file, then convert that to a Pilot 2 file? Would it support all of the things I need it to support like 1) yaw angle, 2) gimbal angle, 3) camera actions?

Finally, just for completeness, I have an LLC, part 107 and insurance.

Any and all help is greatly appreciated!!! Note: I already went down this route with an Autel Evo 2, but their software absolutely will not support what I want to do...

 

[sbj175]

As an example, I'll follow up with a simple question.

If I were to buy a Mavic 3E, would I be able to have it fly the full missions I've described above using the Litchi Waypoint Mission to DJI Waypoint Mission Converter? i.e. import the converted file to Pilot 2 and have full control of yaw angle, gimbal pitch and camera actions at each waypoint? That's the basic question. That, and is there a better drone choice for such missions?

 

[GadgetGuy]

This doesn't answer your question, but it begs the question they are hiring you to answer.

My educated guess to the trash utility's audit question is "Yes!"
They are deadbeats who don't pay their bills!
The better question is why they are still picking up trash where the customers aren't paying!
They just need to supply their trash picker-uppers with the same list they gave you! LOL!

 

[DJ Wes]

I am looking for input regarding what might be the best DJI drone to support this, and obviously accompanying software that would support what I'm trying to do. I've been looking at the DJI Drone Waypoint Support page, but if I understand that page correctly there are no DJI drones supported by Litchi that also support on-board waypoints.

The only recent DJI consumer drone with native waypoint support and Litchi support is the Mini 4 Pro. That drone is supported with the new Litchi Pilot app. Obviously, the older DJI drones such as the Mavic 2 Pro would also do what you want (work with Litchi, native waypoint support).

I initially had my eye on the Mavic 3E, but unsure of the software support to make this work.

The Mavic 3E is also supported with the Litchi Pilot app.
Litchi Pilot is compatible the following drones:

• Mini 4 Pro
• Mini 3 & Mini 3 Pro
• Matrice 4 (4E, 4T, 4D, 4TD)
• Mavic 3 Enterprise (3E, 3T, 3M)
• Matrice 30
• Matrice 300 & 350 RTK
• Matrice 400

[OPEN BETA] Litchi Pilot

May 2025 UPDATE: New Litchi Hub released with many new features including Advanced Flight Management, Collaborative Flight Planning, Smooth Curves, Orbit/Spiral, 3D Flight Preview and Simulation and more! Head to https://hub.flylitchi.com/ to plan new advanced flights! March 2024 UPDATE: The...

forum.flylitchi.com

Would I create a Litchi CSV file, then convert that to a Pilot 2 file? Would it support all of the things I need it to support like 1) yaw angle, 2) gimbal angle, 3) camera actions?

For DJI drones supported in Litchi PIlot, no conversion is necessary. However, if you are willing to convert from a Litchi CSV to a DJI KMZ file, you could also use the Mavic 3*, Air 3*, Mavic 4 and any other DJI Fly drone with native waypoint support. The conversion and importing process is tedious but there are people who do it all the time.

 

[sbj175]

I have flown my Air 2S with a version of Litchi downloaded from the Google Play store around 2 months ago (June). Is that different from the Litchi Pilot app you're referring to?

Also, according to this page the Litchi support for the Mavic 3E and Mini 4 Pro is "Beta". I guess you're saying you feel pretty comfortable with the compatibility there? My preference is for the Mavic 3E if I can get my hands on one...

 

[DJ Wes]

I have flown my Air 2S with a version of Litchi downloaded from the Google Play store around 2 months ago (June). Is that different from the Litchi Pilot app you're referring to?

Yes, they are different apps. The Litchi app that you already have is based on DJI MSDKv4 which supports the older drones including the Mavic 2. The newer Litchi Pilot app (Android only) is based on DJI MSDKv5 which supports the newer drones including the Mavic 3E.

Also, according to this page the Litchi support for the Mavic 3E and Mini 4 Pro is "Beta". I guess you're saying you feel pretty comfortable with the compatibility there?

Yes, the Litchi PIlot app is still in "Beta". While I have not used the new Litchi Pilot app, I have been using the original Litchi app for years. The Litchi developers are very responsive to bug reports and feature requests for the new app. If you are comfortable with the original Litchi app, you should also be comfortable with their new app.

You should read through that Litchi Forum thread that I previously included to reassure yourself of Litchi's commitment to developing the new app. The Litchi Pilot app is currently free to download and test.

With a Mavic 3E, you would have two choices for flying waypoint missions:

1) Fly a Litchi mission directly using Litchi Pilot.
2) Convert a Litchi CSV mission to a DJI KMZ mission, upload and fly with DJI Pilot 2.

 

[sbj175]

Yes, they are different apps. The Litchi app that you already have is based on DJI MSDKv4 which supports the older drones including the Mavic 2. The newer Litchi Pilot app (Android only) is based on DJI MSDKv5 which supports the newer drones including the Mavic 3E.

Yes, the Litchi PIlot app is still in "Beta". While I have not used the new Litchi Pilot app, I have been using the original Litchi app for years. The Litchi developers are very responsive to bug reports and feature requests for the new app. If you are comfortable with the original Litchi app, you should also be comfortable with their new app.

You should read through that Litchi Forum thread that I previously included to reassure yourself of Litchi's commitment to developing the new app. The Litchi Pilot app is currently free to download and test.

With a Mavic 3E, you would have two choices for flying waypoint missions:

1) Fly a Litchi mission directly using Litchi Pilot.
2) Convert a Litchi CSV mission to a DJI KMZ mission, upload and fly with DJI Pilot 2.

Thank you DJ Wes! This has been super helpful!

One last question. Do you know if the Litchi Pilot app is compatible with the "DJI RC Pro Enterprise" controller that comes with the Mavic 3E?