Science corner

With our new drone (DJI Mavic 2 Zoom Enterprise) and an app (AirData) it was possible to use the drone as an anemometer. The wind data will support the analysis of the heat map in the future. Pawan and Heidrun from FeLis, Uni Freiburg, are working on an algorithm that merges and processes wind data and sensor data together.

Here is an example of the data exported from the app:

Wind data

	Flight time	Altitude	Home Distance	Wind Direction	Wind speed
A	00m 25s	9.0 m	74 m	222°	6.55 m/s
B	00m 30s	9.5 m	74 m	232°	6.46 m/s
C	00m 35s	9.5 m	74 m	242°	6.31 m/s
D	00m 40s	9.4 m	73 m	262°	4.87 m/s
E	00m 45s	9.3 m	73 m	241°	3.35 m/s
F	00m 50s	9.3 m	73 m	258°	4.64 m/s
G	00m 55s	9.3 m	73 m	266°	3.84 m/s

The team of the Uni Göttingen will evaluate the data precision with calibrated weather stations. Basically, the drone-based wind measurements will allow new approaches for wind modelling. Especially the handling is simple, as you just put the drone at a place of your choice and measure. The difference of the pilot induced rotor speeds to the drone induced rotor speeds are the corrections done due to drifting, which correlate with the wind speed and direction. Using the IMU data of the drone is also possible at higher flight speeds, in case you don`t fly complex and fast maneuvers. So you can measure the wind at almost any place on this planet (in case you have a flight license)…we are exited !