I keep asking - myself - the same question over and over again ... What does the industry need/want?
When I say industry I am referring to the recipient of the end product ... The end product being a 3d map, point cloud, orthomosaic, etc. I'm talking specifically about using Solo for enterprise -- mapping. Am I on the right pathway here?
I envision an engineering firm receiving a file from a "Aerial Data Acquisition Team", who takes said data, plugs it into 360recap or some other Autodesk product and creates a model... But these are MY thoughts. What's 3DR thinking? - subscription fees? - share holder value?
I think what we have here is a bunch of really smart electrical engineers who are designing and producing some high-tech flying cameras ... These engineers are creating what they envision as the "perfect UAS", however with no specific purpose in mind.
Enter the marketing team ... they're in an office in San Diego. These guys know R&D exists but they don't know where they are ... all marketing sees is the end product and their task is to figure out what to so with said product. Who will use it - target market - and how they will get us to buy it - how to generate revenue.
Ya'll are thinking I'm crazy ... I actually have a day off and I'm sitting here in my PJ's contemplating exactly what 3DR marketing is doing ... and Whiskey Tango Foxtrot am I supposed to do with this thing?
Here's what I need for mapping (with comments) -
1. Stable platform - reliable equipment with a defined maintenance schedule and network of service and parts providers.
Right now if you need service for Solo you have a few options:
a. chat with a 3DR tech
b. call Christian who answers his cellphone anytime, anywhere ... he could be in the field, in his office, or in his living room. So, the only service provider lives in San Diego California
c. Learn basic electrical engineering, learn how to solder, learn Python
d. buy a new Solo
2. User friendly software and interface
So far this past week I've:
a. worked on reviewing Unix and basic terminal commands
b. began studying Audrino
c. began learning Python - a computer programming language
d. installed Autodesk, Pix4dmapper, Python, Pip, runnit, and various other programs needed to interface with Solo
Note: I've got MacOSx AND Windows running on my iMac ... Why? Because Mission Planner and APM 2.0 each behave differently. I am flying Solo with an iPad AND a Droid tablet ... Why? Because Tower is not available for iOS. I... By the way, I'm not a computer programmer or an engineer and while I have completed several mapping missions, and successfully created maps, the entire process has taken way to much time and energy.
3. Efficient Work Flow - Workflow?
Thats a NEGATIVE Goose
Situation Report
Stability: Meh... Solo is stable out of the box, but is it ready for commercial use? The engineers think so... Me, not so much.
User friendly: Meh... If you're putzing around the field on a Saturday or want to dazzle YouTubers yes, otherwise consider Georgia Tech for a degree in computer engineering
Efficient Workflow: All I've done since I acquired Solo last year is fantasize about what I can do with Solo. Everything from aerial photography to search and rescue operations ... I've yet to come up with a reliable system that doesn't require computer super user knowledge
Does anyone else experiencing similar?? I think I'm going to try something a little less time consuming like getting my helicopter rating