Ultrasonic Drone Cameras: A 👀 Modern Perspective on Aerial Tech
Senior Associate Copy Editor
Drones get ultrasonic vision! Explore the future of aerial tech & its powerful applications. Click to discover!
As a drone pilot and instructor with years of experience navigating the skies, I’ve witnessed firsthand the evolution of aerial technology. From basic visual inspections to advanced mapping, drones have become indispensable tools across numerous industries. Lately, a particularly intriguing area of innovation has caught my attention – the integration of ultrasonic technology into drone-mounted cameras. This isn’t just about capturing pretty pictures; it’s about equipping drones with a new sense, allowing them to “see” beyond the visible spectrum and gather critical data in ways previously unimaginable. Several recent YouTube videos offer valuable insights into this burgeoning field, raising questions about its current applications and future potential. Let’s delve into these digital discussions and unpack what they mean for the future of aerial operations.
Key Takeaways from the Field
Non-Destructive Testing Takes Flight: The “Ultrasonic line scan of a tank shell with Terra drone” video ([1]) provides a clear demonstration of a key application: Non-Destructive Testing (NDT). This showcases the capability of ultrasonic drone cameras to perform detailed inspections for flaws and material integrity, particularly in challenging or hazardous environments. Imagine the safety improvements for inspecting oil and gas infrastructure or bridges, minimizing the need for personnel to access dangerous areas. The precision of an encoded UT scan from an aerial platform opens up significant efficiency gains in asset management.
Ultrasonic for Proximity and Environmental Awareness: While not strictly “imaging,” the “Waterproof Ultrasonic Distance Sensors – JSN-SR04T & A02YYUW 💧☔” video ([2]) highlights the fundamental principles of ultrasonic sensing. Understanding how these sensors work – emitting sound waves and measuring the time it takes for them to return – is crucial for grasping the core technology behind more advanced ultrasonic cameras. The emphasis on waterproof sensors underscores the practical need for drones to operate reliably in diverse weather conditions, a constant consideration in our pre-flight checklists. This technology forms the bedrock for critical drone functionalities like obstacle avoidance and precise hovering.
Consumer Drones and the “Ultrasonic” Buzzword: The videos featuring the UPair 2 drone (“UPair 2 Ultrasonic 5.8G 1KM FPV 3D + 4K + 16MP Camera With 3 Axis Gimbal GPS” [3] and “UPair-2 Ultrasonic 4K UHD + 3D Drone Camera with 3-Eye Lens, Quadcopter work with GPS and VR $499.00” [4]) illustrate a slightly different angle. Here, “ultrasonic” appears to refer to proximity sensors used for features like obstacle avoidance or potentially even aiding in smoother landings. While not the focus of “Ultrasonic Camera Drones” in the imaging sense, it’s important to recognize this application and avoid confusion. These sensors act as the drone’s “eyes” in a very immediate sense, preventing collisions and ensuring safer operation, especially for less experienced pilots. We always stress the importance of understanding your drone’s sensor capabilities during ground school.
Early Days of Drone-Based Obstacle Avoidance: The aptly titled “Ultrasonic sensor on a drone” video ([5]), though older, serves as a historical marker. It demonstrates the foundational concept of using ultrasonic sensors for obstacle avoidance. While the technology has undoubtedly advanced since this video was published, it highlights the ongoing effort to enhance drone autonomy and safety. Even with today’s sophisticated systems, a thorough understanding of these basic principles remains vital for pilots.
Delving into the Fundamentals: The tutorial on “Ultrasonic Distance Sensors Arduino Tutorial and Comparison for HC-SR04, HY-SRF05, US-015” ([6]) provides a deeper dive into the technical specifications and practical application of various ultrasonic distance sensors. For those interested in the inner workings of these devices, this video offers valuable insights into their accuracy, range, and configuration. Understanding the nuances of these sensors is essential for engineers and developers looking to integrate them into custom drone solutions. The demonstration of different configurations – one-pin vs. two-pin – highlights the versatility and adaptability of this technology.
Decoding the Signals: From Proximity to Precise Imaging
Analyzing these videos reveals a spectrum of applications for ultrasonic technology in the drone world. On one end, we have proximity sensors enabling safer flight and simpler operation for consumer drones. On the other, we see the emergence of sophisticated ultrasonic camera systems capable of performing detailed NDT.
The “Ultrasonic line scan of a tank shell” video ([1]) paints a compelling picture of the future of industrial inspection. Imagine a drone autonomously navigating a complex structure, emitting high-frequency sound waves, and meticulously mapping internal flaws or variations in material thickness. The audible chirps, translated into actionable data, allow engineers to proactively address potential issues before they escalate, preventing costly failures and ensuring operational safety. The visual representation of this data, often color-coded based on signal return times, offers an intuitive and comprehensive understanding of the asset’s condition.
It’s crucial to differentiate this advanced imaging capability from the more basic distance sensing applications highlighted in the other videos. While both rely on the same fundamental principles of sound wave propagation, the complexity of the sensor arrays and the data processing involved in creating an ultrasonic image are significantly greater.
Looking ahead, the trend points towards further miniaturization and increased resolution in ultrasonic camera technology. We can anticipate seeing these systems integrated into a wider range of commercial drones, making them accessible for more routine inspection tasks. Imagine drones performing automated pipeline assessments, bridge inspections, or even precision agriculture tasks, measuring crop density or soil moisture content using ultrasonic signals. The potential is vast.
Eyes in the Sky, Ears to the Structure: A New Era of Aerial Intelligence
The integration of ultrasonic technology into drone cameras represents a significant leap forward in aerial intelligence. It empowers drones to perceive the world in ways that complement and extend the capabilities of traditional visual cameras. Whether it’s ensuring safer flights through obstacle avoidance or providing detailed subsurface insights for critical infrastructure, ultrasonic sensors are adding a valuable dimension to aerial operations. This modern perspective, as glimpsed through these insightful YouTube videos, underscores the transformative potential of this technology. Scroll down to explore the video highlights and witness this exciting evolution firsthand.
Swipe down to discover the videos
Ultrasonic line scan of a tank shell with Terra droneTerra Inspectioneering85 views | 3 | July 5 2024 09:17:35 (0 comments)[ Read more … ]
Demonstration of an Ultrasonic line scan (encoded UT scan) of a tank shell with the Terra UT drone.
Waterproof Ultrasonic Distance Sensors – JSN-SR04T & A02YYUW 💧☔DroneBot Workshop203,998 views | 4,302 | October 5 2021 12:05:12 (232 comments)[ Read more … ]
Today we will take a look at the JSN-SR04T and A02YYUW Waterproof Ultrasonic Distance Sensors. We will see how they work outside, and we’ll even test to see if they work underwater (spoiler alert – they won’t!).
Article with code: https://dronebotworkshop.com/waterproof-ultrasonic More articles and tutorials: https://dronebotworkshop.com Join the conversation on the forum: https://forum.dronebotworkshop.com Subscribe to the newsletter and stay in touch: https://dronebotworkshop.com/subscribe/
When we think of ultrasonic distance sensors, chances are we are thinking of the popular HC-SR04. After all, it’s simple to use, it works pretty well, and it is very inexpensive.
But while the HC-SR04 is a great sensor for indoor use, it isn’t really suitable for use outdoors. It is susceptible to dirt, it’s relatively fragile and, most importantly, it isn’t waterproof.
So today I’ll be examining a couple of ultrasonic distance sensors that are fully waterproof. They also are more advanced than the HC-SR04, as they are both capable of calculating the distance measurement by themselves, without the aid of a microcontroller or microcomputer.
The JSN-SR04T is an interesting sensor for a number of reasons. First, it uses a single transducer, instead of a separate transmit and receive transducer. Second, the transducer is attached to the main circuit board with a 2-meter cable, allowing you to mount the waterproof sensor remote from the non-waterproof board. And third, it actually has six modes of operation.
The A02YYUW looks a bit like a large, rubberized HC-SR-04 in that it has a separate receive and transmit transducer. But that’s where the resemblance ends. This is a smart sensor that outputs serial data, and it can run on 3.3 or 5 volts.
We’ll hook up both sensors to an Arduino Uno and write some simple code to use them. And, as the JSN-SR04 and A02YYUW both use the same format of serial data, we can even reuse the same sketch for both sensors!
Here is the table of contents for today’s video:
00:00 – Introduction 01:33 – How Ultrasonic Distance Sensors Work 04:37 – Look at the two sensors 05:50 – Using the JSN-SR04T Version 3.0 13:12 – JSN-SR04T Mode 0 Sketch & Demo (HC-SR04 Emulator) 18:01 – JSN-SR04T Mode 1 Sketch & Demo (Serial Data) 21:13 – Using the A02YYUW 26:06 – Outdoor Tests 28:18 – Underwater Tests 30:00 – Conclusion
As always you’ll find an article accompanying this video where you can grab all the code I used, as well as pick up some more information.
Hope you enjoy the video!
Bill
UPair 2 Ultrasonic 5.8G 1KM FPV 3D + 4K + 16MP Camera With 3 Axis Gimbal GPSMUST-HAVES3,664 views | 14 | April 3 2019 14:41:32 (6 comments)[ Read more … ]
UPair 2 Ultrasonic 5.8G 1KM FPV 3D + 4K + 16MP Camera With 3 Axis Gimbal GPS RC Quadcopter Drone – RTF
BUY HERE – https://bit.ly/2FMbRMZ
Features: 1) 3 Axis Gimbal provides stable and smooth footage in any situation. 2) Optical Positioning: Stable hovering, clearer aerial photos. 3) 3D + 4K + 16MP Camera: Fine capture from every wonderful moment. 4) Flight Time is up to 24mins with 4S Intelligent battery 5) With Follow Me mode, the drone will automatically follow you and capture your every move from a unique aerial perspective. 6) GPS Auto Return.
————————————————————
CHECK OUT OUR WEBSITE FOR THE LATEST PRODUCTS & REVIEWS https://bit.ly/2Ex1MoW
Eachine latest Products https://bit.ly/2TUtDaR
Diatone Latest & Greatest https://bit.ly/2UgJuA5
Deals On Rc Multirotors & Radios https://bit.ly/2HFQoZM
The ultimate list of FPV cameras https://bit.ly/2TYcE7C
Top Travelling Accessories https://bit.ly/2TUYofZ ————————————————————
TOOLS WE USE Hex Screwdriver Set https://www.banggood.com/custlink/m3DmdyiaAb
Soldering station https://www.banggood.com/custlink/vK3DRYIobM
UPair-2 Ultrasonic 4K UHD + 3D Drone Camera with 3-Eye Lens, Quadcopter work with GPS and VR $499.00giftoo 21,518 views | 20 | July 30 2020 06:13:49 (9 comments)[ Read more … ]
UPair Drone with 4K UHD Camera 3-Eye Lens, 5.8G RC WiFi Quadcopter FPV Transmission with 3-Axis Stabilization Gimbal, GPS/Optical Flow Positioning System, Flight Route Planning, One Key Return
Buy now from Amazon Click on bellow link :::: https://amzn.to/30PtvtK
1- New DJI Mavic MiniDrone Fly Cam Quadcopter UAV with 2.7K Camera 3-Axis Gimbal GPS Capture with HD :::: Buy now from Amazon Click on bellow link :::: https://amzn.to/2DE8avn https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7dGxqD6t6xY
2- Roku Ultra | Streaming Media Player 4K/HD/HDR with Premium JBL Headphones 2019 Work With Alexa :::: Buy now from Amazon Click on bellow link :::: https://amzn.to/2OCKMAT
• Drone Flying with 3-eye HD Camera: Newly designed 3-eye camera: main 4K ultra high definition lens, 2 assisted lenses with 2K FHD lens, fine capture from every wonderful moment with a high-resolution of 16MP. Comes with 3-axis high-precision gimbal for camera and dynamically adjust camera pitch angle from -90 to 10 through the remote control during flight. • 5.8G FPV Wi-Fi Transmission: This FPV drone can be connected via WiFi. Works with UPair APP system and takes pictures, video in no time. 5.8G real-time transmission provides you with a resolution of 4K/30FPS live video image from up to 4200ft away. Lets you see what your drone sees! • GPS Positioning Function: The GPS system allows you to get accurate position information of your rcquadcopter. Integrated into the home return function (RTH) to fly more safely. The drone will automatically return home exactly when the battery is low or the signal is weak during the flight. • Long Flight Time: Equipped with upgraded 5100mAh intelligent battery yields up to 24 minutes flight time, so you can immerse yourself in a substantial flight. • Easy and Fun to Fly: Assisted with Headless Mode and Follow Me Mode, Altitude Hold Function and One Key Return to Home Function. Support flight plan customization, perfect drone with camera for beginners or adults
Ultrasonic sensor on a droneQifeng Chen1,386 views | 0 | July 6 2016 22:45:48 (2 comments)[ Read more … ]
Obstacle avoidance
#40 Ultrasonic Distance Sensors Arduino Tutorial and Comparison for HC-SR04, HY-SRF05, US-015Andreas Spiess118,171 views | 1,985 | January 21 2016 16:39:24 (231 comments)[ Read more … ]
In this video I test three ultrasonic sensors for distance accuracy and opening angle. I also show how to use them in one pin and two pin configurations and I introduce a three sensor set-up for autonomous robots. I use an Arduino Leonardo to transfer the results to Excel.
The video how to transfer data from Arduino to Excel: https://youtu.be/AgJegJ30Pj4
About the Author
Patryk Alexander is an associate copy editor at 4kVideoDrones.com, where he sharpens articles and helps keep the website's content clean and error-free. With a background in creative writing, Patryk brings a unique perspective to his editing that helps make 4kVideoDrones.com's content engaging and informative. When he's not editing or writing, Patryk enjoys spending time with his family and exploring the great outdoors.
