Terrain Mapping with Exploration Drone

PURA UAV Team | Published: May 2025

Exploration Drone Technology

Today, exploration and mapping operations can be carried out much faster, more effectively, and in greater detail thanks to advanced unmanned aerial vehicles. Exploration drones, at the center of this process, offer higher efficiency compared to traditional methods by autonomously performing specific tasks.

Working Principle

Our exploration drone carries out its mission by following pre-determined flight routes based on commands received from the ground station. During flight, it records images from various angles and altitudes. However, this is just the beginning. Where and when the images are taken is as important as the images themselves. Therefore, the visuals collected by the drone are simultaneously matched with GPS coordinate information, and this data is transmitted to the ground station in real-time.

Data Processing Workflow

Once data transmission is complete, these images are processed at the ground station for merging and analysis. At this stage, Pix4D software, which is frequently preferred in the industry and known for its high accuracy rates, comes into play. Pix4D processes the incoming images three-dimensionally, bringing them together in a compatible way. This process not only involves mosaicking the visuals but also enables visualization of details such as height, slope, and surface shape.

High-resolution image collection
Precise positioning with GPS coordinates
Three-dimensional visualization with Pix4D
Detailed surface analysis and mapping

Application Areas

As a result of this process, a high-resolution, detailed map of the terrain that aligns with real coordinates is obtained. This map enables the analysis of many parameters such as the physical structure, geological features, vegetation density, or surface deformations of the examined area. Such maps play a critical role in many fields including agriculture, construction, urban planning, disaster management, and defense.

Conclusion

This drone-based automatic mapping system not only collects data but also accelerates decision-making processes, reduces costs, and minimizes human error. As a result, it has become an indispensable technology in both academic studies and practical field applications.