There are three mission modes for Hovermap, providing options for every scanning need.
Mapping
Mapping mode gives you fast, accurate, high-resolution mobile scanning of environments where autonomy is not required. Hovermap can be used for walking or backpack-mounted scans, lowered in a cage, or attached to a vehicle or a pole. It can also be attached to a drone and used in Mapping mode (if autonomy capability is not required).
Pilot Assist
Pilot Assist mode provides safe, line-of-sight flight, collision avoidance, and stability control in GPS-denied environments, allowing you to fly indoors or closer to structures. It uses SLAM technology to protect and stabilize your drone. In addition to simply collecting points, the LiDAR sensor is integrated into the drone’s flight control system. Features are identified as the point cloud is created, giving the drone an awareness of its surroundings. This feature allows the drone to fly safely, creating a virtual elliptical shield (Shield) around it.
Autonomy
Autonomy enables Hovermap to operate beyond line of sight and communications range, even in GPS-denied environments. Operators can simply tap and drag to define 3D exploration zones, or place smart waypoints directly on the live-streamed point cloud. Hovermap will then plan an efficient, safe path through the environment, autonomously exploring the defined area or navigating to each waypoint. It also intelligently calculates and optimizes the return path, ensuring adequate battery capacity to return home safely. This streamlined approach simplifies mission planning, reduces setup time, and enables safer, more efficient autonomous operations.