AutoCopter Debuts SuperScout UAS

In the tradition of unique UAV solutions, AutoCopter Corp. has created the AutoCopter SuperScout. It has the ability to fly, capture multispectral data and process that data in the field, says the company in a recent press release.

It is designed to enhance the capabilities of AutoCopter’s other model, the Crop Scout, in the field. Not only is it gathering real time data and processing that data, but now variable rate prescription maps can be created in the field as well. No more waiting for processing. No more waiting for outside vendors. No more scheduling and no more delays.

“We put several pieces of unique technology into the SuperScout,” Donald Effren, President of AutoCopter shared his thoughts. “When we decided to build the smaller UAV for Precision Ag, we knew it had to be in a similar template as the AutoCopter G15 Ag Solution. We would build an aerial technology solution with the same strict quality and performance metrics we consider necessary.”

In order to really be a Precision Ag solution, it must have GPS enabled auto pilot software with waypoints. Without it, one is merely flying the field without direction and there is no precision. After landing to review the pictures, you need to know where you were and where you need to go. A concern is also the quality of the images. Capturing crop images in the field with the benefit of auto pilot software is always superior to flying manually.

With the AutoCopter SuperScout, flights can be planned in advance. Arriving at the field, you are able to take off and fly the pre-determined route. This is important for two reasons: 1.) the time in the air is maximized and 2.) the field is covered in a precise manner. When you have completed your flight plan, saving it allows you to re-fly it again the next time: same altitude, same speed, same route and same direction.

The system includes three cameras: 1.) multi-spectral camera; 2.) full color camera and 3.) video with live video stream to the ground control station.

Another important part of UAV imagery is the ability to know where the picture being viewed is located in your field. The geo-referencing (lat-long location) is tagged to every picture. Now the images can be reviewed in the field or any other time and locate the area of concern. Without geo-referencing this cannot be accomplished. If you are covering hundreds of acres it will not work for random flights.

The agility of the multicopter is vital in Ag situations with the ability to stop, go back and/or hover over an area of concern. Soft vertical landings insure that quality cameras are not damaged.

Unique among its competitors, the AutoCopter Super Scout solution captures data and then processes it in the field. This provides real-time info to assist in making informed decisions to reduce inputs and increase yields. If you cannot measure it you cannot manage it. If you cannot process it, all you are doing is collecting more data you will not use.

SOURCE: AutoCopter news release.