Posted by Traiden D on September 8, 2009 at 8:25pm
Alright. So I heard about diy UAV drones a while ago, and the second I did, I thought it sounded like a lot of fun. I got to thinking then, how I might be able to use it.Currently, I'm an undergraduate majoring in Zoology and Biology. I plan on getting my masters in Ethology (animal behavior). As part of my planned dissertation, I will need to look at how groups of animals move and interact with each other in relation to other animals outside of the group in real time.At first, I was planning on some how attaching a tracking unit to the animals themselves (as before it was the only thing I could think of). I knew, however, that this wasn't practical from the start, as I would be needing to get data points at least every second (though more than likely every 1/4th to 1/2 of a second), and the power supply wouldn't last very long, not to mention the fact that it may, somehow interfere with my findings (the animals may behave differently and what not).So, I got the idea of attaching an infrared video camera to a UAV drone.My questions are: what kind of license would I need to track animals beyond my line of site (would a "exemptions granted to non-commercial flyers" suffice or would I need a "CoA"), if either would do, which is easier to obtain and would it be possible to set up the auto pilot to track and follow a group of animals based on infrared signature?
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The Procerus UAV Test platform with gimbal IR camera and Kestrel autopilot could do exactly what you are looking to do...but be ready to shell out like $5-10K for the complete system. Out of curiosity, how much loiter time do you expect to have over the site?
If you're doing this with official university sponsorship in the US and staying out of flight paths it's usually possible to do with minimal regulation. If you don't have official university sponsorship it's going to be hard.
Hi Traiden and welcome to diydrones.
Interesting project. Most of your legal questions can be answered from the FAQ link close to the top of main page:
I am not an expert on the legal stuff, but let me make couple points:...
If you are not in U.S. I don't know...If you are in U.S. then under current law you can not fly out of line of site, must remain pilot in control, and can't go above 400' above ground level, unless you get a COA. An most likely you will not get COA.
I don't think there are any legal issues with IR cameras. No clue on any legal issues about tracking animals....
Out of curiosity...why do you need to acquire data faster then 1 Hz? Is the animal behavior, which you wish to track, really that interactive that you need 1Hz or better? While UAV tracking you propose is interesting, just by your presence you might disturb animals (noise, movement, etc.). Nat. Geo. did a a series where they tracked animals, but they used helicopter and stayed 1 mile away from animals ( so not to disturb them) and used realllllly powerful and fancy cameras and lenses. Also consider possibility that animals you wish to track might co under tree/brush cover and you might not be able to see them from air. Do you need to receive animal movement data in real time? If not, you could tag the animals with a tracker which has data logger, and then recapture animals and recover datalogger, or perhaps download data wirelessly...I believe such tag devices are commercially available, or at least I remember reading about them with respect to tagging marine animals.
Also, I didn't think about it, but would I need additional licensing for the infrared camera/tracking? Is it even legal to the public? If it isn't, would I be able to apply for some sort of permit for scientific research?
Replies
Interesting project. Most of your legal questions can be answered from the FAQ link close to the top of main page:
http://diydrones.com/profiles/blog/show?id=705844%3ABlogPost%3A28583
I am not an expert on the legal stuff, but let me make couple points:...
If you are not in U.S. I don't know...If you are in U.S. then under current law you can not fly out of line of site, must remain pilot in control, and can't go above 400' above ground level, unless you get a COA. An most likely you will not get COA.
I don't think there are any legal issues with IR cameras. No clue on any legal issues about tracking animals....
Out of curiosity...why do you need to acquire data faster then 1 Hz? Is the animal behavior, which you wish to track, really that interactive that you need 1Hz or better? While UAV tracking you propose is interesting, just by your presence you might disturb animals (noise, movement, etc.). Nat. Geo. did a a series where they tracked animals, but they used helicopter and stayed 1 mile away from animals ( so not to disturb them) and used realllllly powerful and fancy cameras and lenses. Also consider possibility that animals you wish to track might co under tree/brush cover and you might not be able to see them from air. Do you need to receive animal movement data in real time? If not, you could tag the animals with a tracker which has data logger, and then recapture animals and recover datalogger, or perhaps download data wirelessly...I believe such tag devices are commercially available, or at least I remember reading about them with respect to tagging marine animals.