Sensors- DJI Guidance System

Two years ago DJI introduced the Guidance System, a sensor-based navigation aid implemented as a sense and avoid hardware system. The sensor is more accurately a system of sensors that can be installed on UAS or other platforms which the user may be utilizing. The system is a combination of a uses chosen sensor (typically a camera) and ultrasonic sensors which are used to gather real-time data and information regarding the platforms surroundings and sends feedback such as data on velocity, position and clearance from obstacles. The Guidance system supports use in environments where GPS functionality is not an option.

The Guidance system has 5 sensors to survey its environment. It has 4 sensors to scan and sense around it laterally and 1 sensor for below. Users can use the camera to an use customized visual sensing and programming to adjust the camera uses to fit the mission. Such as a city using the system on a UAS platform to search for illegally parked cars using the camera to scan license plates and the type of car via visual recognition.

Customers and users from any industry can use their own programs and algorithms in a customizable format that is friendly with several operating system platforms including Windows and Linux. The Guidance system is always aware of its surroundings and uses its data gathering to adjust its flight path if necessary in a given environment and lets users dictate what other data should be gathered via the camera or other sensor which is chosen. The system also provides hardware to facilitate incorporating other additional intelligent sensors to provide a broader spectrum of safety and or capability per the mission.

The DJI Guidance system helps protect the platform in a high level of complex environments and ensures the safety of the platforms and the environment. The system allows for data gathering and customizable capabilities. The most useful feature of the system other then its ability for customization is that it lends itself for use to those who may not be pilots or with any experience. The system ensures safety for any situation the platform may be used for in many applications. My susgestion would be to add or provide the ability for a sixth sensor to completely encapsulate the platform as some application may require a 360-degree awareness, vertically and horizontally. For instance going through a tunnel or tight space, or where there may be the hazard of falling objects. A drawback I see possible is that with the customization you may have organizations that do not have the technological expertise to fully maximize the capability of the system. However, It does appear that DJI helps facilitate use and works well with customers, so this may be a non-issue.

https://www.dji.com/guidance

http://download.dji-innovations.com/downloads/dev/Guidance/en/Guidance_User_Manual_en_V1.6.pdf