How It Works

Powerfull processing with minimal intervention

In order to provide data as quickly as possible, we work with a network of dealers and have created an automated system that is designed from the ground up to not rely on third-party tools or software. This means that there is no wasted processing time. This allows us to guarantee a 24-hour turnaround on all standard data products, and if a standard product remains unprocessed for more than 24 hours we will finish processing it for you for free.

We created four pieces of software to make this processing happen: Guidance, Uploader, web portal, and data processor. Additionally, we designed a camera mounting system for easy data collection.

Upload Field Boundary

Before any data collection can begin a field boundary must be entered into our portal. This boundary is used to create flight plans with suggested time windows for flying to minimize shadows and specifies the area of interest for the processing of NDVIs.

Fly & Collect Data

Use Guidance to fly and collect data from airplanes or dedicated drone software.

Upload Images

Using the Uploader, images are sent to our servers for processing.

Preliminary Processing

Our automated system begins preprocessing the imagery. At this stage, it uses the location data provided as a baseline then aligns each image individually to minimize any error.

Enter Ground Control Points

If requested, the processing is stopped here so ground control points can be entered manually.

Generate Raw Orthomosaic

At this point, all of the images have been aligned and a raw orthomosaic is generated. The specific method used to create the orthomosaic varies depending on the terrain, image content, and project type.

Georectification

If ground control points were not provided, the raw orthomosaic is georectified manually.

Create Data Products

The raw georectified ortho is then clipped to the field boundary. This clipped orthomosaic is then processed and analyzed to generate different NDVIs and data products.

Quality Control

All data is manually inspected to ensure that there are no defects in any data products. These include cloud shadows, ghosting, and other image artifacting.

Deliver

After quality control, an automated email is sent to the clients notifying them that their data has finished processing and a link to where that data can be viewed and downloaded in our portal.

Software & Hardware

Portal
Guidance
Uploader
Data Processor
Camera Mount

Our web portal serves several purposes and is where you specify the region you want data collected for and download the finished products.

Display false color orthomosaic overlay in agpixel portal ontop of google maps

4band green blue orthomosaic overlay ontop of google earth

Select a plane to that will be used for a flight plan

User creating a flight plan in the agpixel portal

Prompt to select a field boundary folder or file for upload or draw you own

user is adding a field boundary in the agpixel portal

Guidance has two functions, aid the pilot by telling them where to fly and triggering the camera to collect data.

Once a flight plan is created in the portal, Guidance will be able to download the field and create a flight plan. This flight plan tells the pilot where to fly to ensure the field has full coverage.

Once a camera is connected guidance will run a camera calibration to ensure that the focus and other settings are correct.

The Uploader is used to upload images to our servers for processing. It will upload any jpeg image that has location data embedded in the image or Guidance log file.

After the images are selected, select the data products you want to be generated and click queue.

Home page for the Uploader that is shown when you first open the AgPixel / Roboflight Uploader software

AgPixel / Roboflight uploader uploading DJI drone RGB imagery to a field selected in blue

AgPixel uploader, selected DJI drone RGB image that shows a thumbnail preview in the bottom right corner

Selecting data products to be created for a specific upload. Only Color Enhanced is checked.

Uploader queuing data for a field to upload after data products have been selected

Uploading field status window. Currently upload is 81% completed.

Data Processor

Our data process is responsible for turning your images into orthomosaics. It was built from the ground up and optimized to run on our servers without using other 3rd party software. This ensures there is no wasted processing time.

Servers

All data is processed on our private servers. This ensures that our technicians have easy access to solve any hardware or data issues. It also allows us to scale up and to process projects of any size as needed.

Roboflight’s Camera Mount is designed to attach to the wing strut of most planes, safely without damaging the plane.

Using this mount you can attach most over the counter cameras.