Skycatch, DJI Release Drone Mapping App
Skycatch, a global leader in commercial drone data software, announced the launch of Commander, its iOS commercial drone mapping app in partnership with DJI. Commander automates data capture with DJI’s latest drones, turning them into professional mapping tools.
DJI maintains a 70 percent share of the $2 billion consumer drone market, and its aerial platforms are used by two-thirds of businesses approved by the FAA to operate commercially, according to a company press release. Skycatch built the app using DJI’s open software development kit.
“The goal of DJI’s SDK has always been to facilitate the creation of a robust ecosystem of apps, such as Commander,” says Darren Liccardo, DJI vice president of engineering, systems and applications. “Professionals know best what the use case is for our aerial platforms in their specific verticals sectors. Skycatch’s developers have made optimal use of our open APIs with their innovative mapping and modeling application.”
Commander will launch with support for DJI Phantom 3 Advanced and Professional, Inspire 1 and the new Phantom 4.
DJI drones and Apple iOS devices deliver unparalleled user experiences for both home and commercial users. Commander combines the two with streamlined data capture to further refine the user experience, creating a powerful partnership of aerial data and analytics tools.
With Commander, users simply outline the area they want to map, and the app automatically generates the optimal route and autonomously flies it for them. Images are processed into high-resolution maps and 3-D models accessed in the Skycatch Dashboard. Professionals in construction, mining and energy can use Dashboard to inform business decisions and carry out functions such as calculating assets, planning logistics and reporting progress.
“Collaboration is essential in helping industry professionals evolve with technology,” says Skycatch CEO Christian Sanz. “Commander opens the doors of aerial data capture so any project manager can become a drone pilot and any job site can benefit from new data sets and improved workflows.”
