This section outlines the basic operating procedure for Hovermap. For simplicity, we will focus on using Hovermap in Mapping mode.
To ensure a smooth and successful mapping mission, you must have the following essentials in place:
Fully-charged Hovermap Battery: Make sure that the Hovermap’s battery is fully charged. A drained battery could result in a premature end to your mission or data loss.
Emesent Commander Installed: Ensure that the Emesent Commander application is installed on your tablet. The app should be up-to-date with the latest software version to guarantee optimal performance. Refer to the Emesent Commander App section for details on what application version should be used with your robot.
Full-charged Android Tablet: Your tablet should also be fully charged to prevent any interruptions caused by a sudden loss of power.
If the status lights do not follow the sequence outlined in this section, contact Client Support with a description of Hovermap’s status and the task you were trying to perform at the time.
Step 1: Connect power to Hovermap
Connect Hovermap to a battery or other approved power source. Hovermap doesn’t come with an internal battery, so it will either need to be platform-mounted or powered by an external battery.
Never unplug the battery while Hovermap is running. If you do this, your scan data may be corrupted.
Step 2: Start Hovermap
Press the power button to power on Hovermap. The LED will change from OFF to a flashing red indicating that the Hovermap is initializing.
LED status: RED: FLASHING
Step 3: Wait until Hovermap is ready
After completing initialization, the status LEDs will flash orange then switch to a slow pulsing Emesent blue. This indicates that the Hovermap is now ready to scan. Ensure that Hovermap is positioned in a way that allows the LiDAR sensor to rotate freely.
LED status: EMESENT BLUE: SLOW PULSE
If, after 90 seconds, the status LEDs are not a slow pulsing blue, the start-up checks have been unsuccessful. If this happens, please restart your Hovermap.
Step 4: Connect to Hovermap using Emesent Commander
Use the Emesent Commander application to access the Mission workflow.
For more detailed setup instructions for DJI and Freefly Astro drones, refer to the Hovermap Platform Setup Guides in Knowledge Base.
For DJI drones:
Launch the application then tap Connect to display the Network Settings window.
Tap Connect Network or Change Network depending on whether or not there is an existing connection. This takes you to your device’s native network manager.
You only need an IP address if using a Freefly Astro or Astro Max. Also, it is recommended to leave the hostname as hover.map for most users.
Look for st_xxxx, hvm_xxxx, or lrr_st_xxxx (where xxxx = Hovermap device to connect to) in the list of networks.
Select that network then enter the Wi-Fi password (hovermap).
Once the connection is established, you will hear an audio message indicating that you are “Connected”. The red banner is removed from the landing page.
For Freefly Astro and Astro Max:
Emesent Commander communicates directly with the Hovermap via the Freefly Pilot Pro controller. Connection to the Hovermap’s Wi-Fi network is not required.
Press the power button on the Pilot Pro twice to turn on the controller and the tablet (with the current Freefly firmware).
Power on the Astro and the Hovermap.
Turn off the Wi-Fi on the Pilot Pro tablet.
Launch the application then tap Connect at the top of the landing page.
On the page that displays, set Hostname/IP address to 192.168.144.101.
Tap the Tick icon then tap Close.
Once the connection is established, you will hear an audio message indicating that you are “Connected” and the mission tiles are enabled.
Step 5: Complete pre-mission checks
The Mission Workflow in Emesent Commander guides you through the process of starting the scan. Complete the required mission checks then tap the Start Scan button in the Scan setup page of the Mission Workflow.
The LiDAR sensor will start spinning. The status LEDs will start by flashing green, and will then change to a slow green pulse. When the status LEDs start to pulse, keep Hovermap still for the first 10 seconds. This gives Hovermap time to start to build a map and to position itself within its environment.
Refer to the Emesent Commander Operations section for more information.
LED status: GREEN: SLOW PULSE
This step is essential! If Hovermap is moved before it has collected enough points to start mapping its environment, it won’t be able to create a map successfully.
Step 6: Perform the scan
Once you have given Hovermap time to position itself, you can start your scan. Move as slowly as possible, and focus Hovermap as much as you can on your area of interest. For best mapping results, it is recommended to “Close-the-Loop”, that is, to stop the scan around the same area where it was started.
LED status: GREEN: SLOW PULSE
Step 7: Stop the scan
In the Emesent Commander app, tap the Stop Scan button (or short press the power button) to end the mission. The LiDAR sensor will stop spinning after a few seconds, and the status LEDs will return to a slow pulsing blue.
Hovermap is now ready for another scan, or for data retrieval.
LED status: EMESENT BLUE: SLOW PULSE
Step 8: Download the data
To download the data from Hovermap, insert a USB flash drive into the USB port at the back of the Hovermap unit. The status LEDs will change to a wiping blue bar while the data is being transferred to the USB flash drive. All data that has not previously been transferred will be copied to the USB flash drive.
LED status: EMESENT BLUE: WIPING
You can only download data when Hovermap is in standby (a slow pulsing blue). To retrieve data, the USB flash drive must be formatted in an exFAT file format.
Step 9: Remove the USB flash drive
Once the transfer is complete, the status LEDs will return to a slow pulsing blue. The USB flash drive can now be removed.
LED status: EMESENT BLUE: SLOW PULSE
Scans are stored internally until they are deleted manually.
Step 10: Shut down Hovermap
Press the power button for at least four seconds (or until the status light turns off) to shut down Hovermap.
LED status: OFF
Step 11: Process the data
Once the data has been retrieved from Hovermap, it is in a raw state and will need to be processed. Use Emesent Aura to create a rich 3D point cloud.