senseFly Announces eBee RTK Survey-grade Mapping Drone
The eBee RTK by senseFly is a fully autonomous survey-grade mapping drone (or UAV/UAS). It features a built-in L1/L2 GNSS receiver and is capable of receiving corrections from most leading brands of base station via its supplied eMotion 2 flight control software and ground modem. This ensures the high positional accuracy of the drone’s images without the need for Ground Control Points (GCPs).
The eBee RTK is sold as a standalone solution – comprising the drone itself, eMotion 2 flight planning & control software, and Postflight Terra 3D photogrammetry software (powered by Pix4D). No extra base station purchase is necessary and no additional logger or third-party software are required.
3 ways to work with the eBee RTK:
1. Real Time Kinematic
- Place your base station on a known position
- Correction data is streamed to the drone via its eMotion flight control software and ground modem (see graphic on previous page)
2. Virtual base station
- Configure the drone’s eMotion software to receive VRS/Ntrip correction data (internet connection & VRS/Ntrip subscription required)
- Creates a virtual base station location
- Correction data is streamed to the drone via its eMotion flight control software and ground modem
3. Post processing
- Position your base station in a convenient on-site location
- Its coordinates are set automatically in eMotion 2
- The base station streams correction data to the drone via eMotion and the ground modem (see graphic on previous page)
- Post-flight, geotag images with correction data either on-site (requires internet access) or in the office later
Key features
- Survey-grade accuracy Absolute orthomosaic / Digital Elevation Model accuracy of down to 3 cm (1.2 in) without the need for GCPs – for less time spent in the field and high precision even in inaccessible areas.
- Fully integrated workflow The eBee RTK’s flight planning and control software (eMotion 2) connects to the base station and broadcasts correction data to the rover (eBee RTK) – no additional logger or third-party software required. This software can also be used to apply corrections later via post-processing.
- Base station compatible The eBee RTK is compatible with most leading brands of base station, working seamlessly alongside your existing portfolio of instruments.
- Autonomous The eBee RTK flies, acquires images and lands itself.
- Lightweight The eBee RTK weighs just 0.7 kg (1.5 lbs) – minimising its power usage (optimizing its flight time) and ensuring the safety of people and objects on the ground.
Technical specifications: GPS
- Number of channels: 226
- Signal tracked
- GPS: L1, L2, L2C
- GLONASS: L1, L2, L2C
- SBAS (WAAS/EGNOS/MSAS)
- QZSS
- Onboard RTK correction: 20 Hz
- Upstream correction: 1 Hz
- Geotag accuracy (typical)
- Standalone: H: 1.2m, V: 1.8m
- RTK, relative to base station: H:15mm, V: 20mm
- Acquisition time
- Hot start: <10s
- Warm start: <35s
- Cold start: <60s
- Reacquisition: <1s
Technical specifications: drone
- Weight (inc. camera & battery): 0.7 kg (1.5 lbs)
- Wingspan: 96 cm (38 in)
- Material: EPP foam, carbon structure & composite parts
- Propulsion: electric pusher propeller, brushless 160 W motor
- Battery: 11.1 V, 2100 mAh
- Camera (default): adapted 16 MP still camera
- Carry case dimensions: 55 x 45 x 25 cm (21.6 x 17.7 x 9.8 in)
- Maximum coverage (single flight): 10 km2 (3.9 mi2)
- Maximum flight time: 40 minutes
- Cruising speed: 36-57 km/h (10-16 m/s)
- Radio link range: up to 3 km (1.86 miles)
- Ground sampling distance (GSD): down to 2 cm (0.78 in)
- Orthomosaic accuracy: down to 3 cm (1.18 in)
- Digital Elevation Model (DEM) accuracy: down to 5 cm (1.96 in)
- Multi-drone operation possible (inc. mid-air collision avoidance)
- 3D flight planning
- Compatible with Topcon, Trimble & Leica base stations
- Compatible with VRS & Ntrip networks
In the box
- eBee RTK foam body (inc. all electronics & built-in autopilot)
- Pair of detachable foam wings
- 16 MP still camera
- 2.4 GHz USB radio modem for data link (inc. USB cable)
- Two Lithium-Polymer battery packs & charger
- Spare propeller
- Carry case with foam protection
- Remote control & accessories (for safety pilots)
- User manual
- Fully featured software included
