Source: Unmanned Systems Technology

Rapid Imaging Software, Inc., a company specializing in augmented reality software, has introduced SmarTopo Harvest. This new technology for unmanned aerial vehicles delivers obstacle survey and detection technology plus powerful data management tools for a complete obstacle management system. SmarTopo is certified by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to a level 1B.

SmarTopo Harvest searches for obstacles up to a height set by the analyst. Detected objects or structures can be compared to the FAA obstacle database. The software estimates the height of the objects or structures, and if they are new, adds them to a proprietary database.

The issue of undocumented obstacles is extensive. A recent study conducted using SmarTopo Harvest indicates there are a substantial number of undocumented obstacles in the national airspace. An analyst using SmarTopo Harvest identified 52 undocumented obstacles of 200 feet or more in a study area of six square miles around the Los Angeles International Airport.

 Mike Abernathy, Director of Development notes, “SmarTopo Harvest is the key for small commercial drones to operate safely in urban areas. This technology allows companies to create and maintain an obstacle database for their drone operations.”