Mavic vs Skydio 3D scans (AT309 Week 7)

For this lab, my lab partner and I completed a total of 5 3D scans using a DJI Mavic 2 Pro and a Skydio S2+. We conducted 2D mapping missions, 3D object scans, and 3D orbit scans. The purpose of this was to compare the two platforms.

2D Mapping Missions:

We first used the Skydio S2+ to conduct a mapping mission of a small section of a parking lot at the William H. Daniel Turfgrass Research and Diagnostic Center. After that, we used the DJI Mavic 2 Pro to conduct 2 scans of the same area- one being a lawnmower grid and the other being an opposing grid scan. Both scans were fairly easy to set up, but the main difference we noticed was that the Mavic 2 Pro was able to set up the scan on the ground using Pix4D Capture, while the Skydio had to take off before it could set up the scan. This makes a large difference in battery life, with the Mavic 2 Pro being more efficient. Specific details on how we set up these scans can be found in the lab report.

Figure 1 shows the scan area of the parking lot at the William H. Daniel Turfgrass Research and Diagnostic Center.

Figure 1- 2D Mapping scan area

Figure 2 is a screenshot from the Skydio as it started the scan of the parking lot.

Figure 2- Scan setup with Skydio

Figure 3 shows the Mavic's scan path of the parking lot while conducting the lawnmower grid scan.

Figure 3- Mavic scan path

Figure 4 shows the scan path of the Mavic before conducting the opposing grid lines scan.

Figure 4- Opposing grid lines flight path.

3D Object Scans:

My lab partner and I created a fake scene of a car crash in a parking lot to conduct 3D scans on. We did one scan with the Skydio and one scan with the Mavic. Pix4D did not have an option to do a 3D object scan so we needed to do an orbit scan around the scene. For the 3D model mission of a simulated car crash, the Skydio S2 outperformed the DJI Mavic 2 Pro. The Skydio's features designed for 3D modeling made the setup more straightforward and provided better controllability. In contrast, the DJI Mavic struggled with the orbit scan mode due to outdated satellite imagery on Pix4D. This required multiple attempts to set up the scan correctly because it was difficult to center the orbit scan around the car crash scene without accurate satellite imagery.

Figure 5 shows where my lab partner and I set up the fake crash scene.

Figure 5- 3D Object Scan Location

Figure 6 shows the setup of the fake car crash scene using the Mavic 2 Pro. You can see the boxes around the scan area.

Figure 6- Skydio Crash Scene Scan Setup

Figure 7 shows the setup of the orbit scan using the Mavic on the Pix4D Capture app. You can see how the satellite imagery is outdated, so it is very hard to tell where the car crash scene was set up. There was also no way to look through the camera because the scan was being set up before the drone took off.

Figure 7- Mavic Orbit Scan Setup

Overall, the Skydio S2 was better for 3D modeling tasks due to its user-friendly setup and precise control over scan settings. The DJI Mavic 2 Pro, while efficient for 2D mapping, faced challenges with the orbit scan mode in 3D object scanning. The only subject area where the Mavic clearly had an advantage in 2D mapping or 3D object scans was battery life, as you could set up the scan on the ground.