IDAN Computers Presents ObliMapper – Transforms Drone Imagery into Actionable VISINT
IsraelDefense
| 27/06/2018
Israeli company IDAN Computers has developed the ObliMapper aerial drone image capturing, handling, and analysis tool, designed to efficiently combine the benefits of orthophotos with the rich detail of oblique imagery. ObliMapper automatically transforms aerial photos or video of an area of interest into a 360-degree view of the area – an orthophoto, 3D model, and DSM (digital surface model), to rapidly provide accurate and actionable visual intelligence.
Designed for use with off-the-shelf aerial drones, ObliMapper can be used to manage the entire work process, including flight planning, image capture, image processing, and analysis.
How it works
First, the user (i.e., a member of a rescue team, disaster response unit, police SWAT team, or military unit) selects the area of interest (by pointing to the location on the map), a template (from predefined options such as a single house, group of buildings, golf course, etc.), a flight plan (from a few predefined options), and a quality level for the images. An area of interest is typically less than 0.3 square kilometers.
Then, the drone takes off and flies to the area of interest, takes the images, and returns to the user. The ObliMapper software reads the captured data directly from the drone via a cable connection and uses the captured metadata (position and orientation for each photo) to automatically geo-coordinate each oblique photo to the orthoimage/map. This step typically requires about two minutes.
At this stage, the ObliMapper user can analyze the oblique images by clicking on any location in the subject area to see the relevant oblique images from all four directions. The user can perform accurate measurements on the oblique images such as the height of a wall, tree, or building, dimensions of a gate or window, etc.
If desired, in a second phase, the user can run the built-in Agisoft 3D modeler to create a 3D model of the area of interest in a choice of data formats (OJB, FBX, OSGB), a DSM (digital surface model), and an orthophoto. ObliMapper’s built-in 3D viewer can be used to view the 3D model, generate slopes and contour lines, and perform accurate measurements and line-of-sight analysis. The oblique images and 3D model can be geographically synchronized to display small details that could not be included in the 3D model alone.
IDAN Computers uses the TatukGIS Developer Kernel (for Delphi edition, with the Embarcadero C++Builder development environment) to develop the GIS features of the ObliMapper software. TatukGIS functionality is used to display the orthophoto and geographical data (vectors), georeference the oblique images (using the DK’s advanced support for coordinate systems in use all around the world), and perform complicated geometric analysis.
ObliMapper is used by military, law enforcement, homeland security, and intelligence organizations, as well as rescue and fire brigades for mission planning and emergency response purposes. Other ObliMapper customers include engineering companies to monitor large construction sites, municipalities to control safety and enforce regulations, insurance companies to get a better knowledge and understanding of a situation, and cellular antenna companies for infrastructure asset maintenance.
Israeli company IDAN Computers has developed the ObliMapper aerial drone image capturing, handling, and analysis tool, designed to efficiently combine the benefits of orthophotos with the rich detail of oblique imagery. ObliMapper automatically transforms aerial photos or video of an area of interest into a 360-degree view of the area – an orthophoto, 3D model, and DSM (digital surface model), to rapidly provide accurate and actionable visual intelligence.
Designed for use with off-the-shelf aerial drones, ObliMapper can be used to manage the entire work process, including flight planning, image capture, image processing, and analysis.
How it works
First, the user (i.e., a member of a rescue team, disaster response unit, police SWAT team, or military unit) selects the area of interest (by pointing to the location on the map), a template (from predefined options such as a single house, group of buildings, golf course, etc.), a flight plan (from a few predefined options), and a quality level for the images. An area of interest is typically less than 0.3 square kilometers.
Then, the drone takes off and flies to the area of interest, takes the images, and returns to the user. The ObliMapper software reads the captured data directly from the drone via a cable connection and uses the captured metadata (position and orientation for each photo) to automatically geo-coordinate each oblique photo to the orthoimage/map. This step typically requires about two minutes.
At this stage, the ObliMapper user can analyze the oblique images by clicking on any location in the subject area to see the relevant oblique images from all four directions. The user can perform accurate measurements on the oblique images such as the height of a wall, tree, or building, dimensions of a gate or window, etc.
If desired, in a second phase, the user can run the built-in Agisoft 3D modeler to create a 3D model of the area of interest in a choice of data formats (OJB, FBX, OSGB), a DSM (digital surface model), and an orthophoto. ObliMapper’s built-in 3D viewer can be used to view the 3D model, generate slopes and contour lines, and perform accurate measurements and line-of-sight analysis. The oblique images and 3D model can be geographically synchronized to display small details that could not be included in the 3D model alone.
IDAN Computers uses the TatukGIS Developer Kernel (for Delphi edition, with the Embarcadero C++Builder development environment) to develop the GIS features of the ObliMapper software. TatukGIS functionality is used to display the orthophoto and geographical data (vectors), georeference the oblique images (using the DK’s advanced support for coordinate systems in use all around the world), and perform complicated geometric analysis.
ObliMapper is used by military, law enforcement, homeland security, and intelligence organizations, as well as rescue and fire brigades for mission planning and emergency response purposes. Other ObliMapper customers include engineering companies to monitor large construction sites, municipalities to control safety and enforce regulations, insurance companies to get a better knowledge and understanding of a situation, and cellular antenna companies for infrastructure asset maintenance.
