Skycatch, a developer of commercial drone data software, has announced the launch of COMMANDER, the company’s iOS flight app for DJI drones. The app automates data capture with DJI’s latest drones, turning them into professional mapping tools.
DJI maintains a 70% share of the $2 billion consumer drone market, and its aerial platforms are used by two-thirds of businesses approved by the FAA to operate commercially. Skycatch built the app using DJI’s open software development kit.
“The goal of DJI’s SDK has always been to facilitate the creation of a robust ecosystem of apps, such as COMMANDER,” said Darren Liccardo, DJI Vice President of Engineering, Systems and Applications. “Professionals know best what the use case is for our aerial platforms in their specific vertical sectors. Skycatch’s developers have made optimal use of our open APIs with their innovative mapping and modeling application.”
The app launches with support for DJI Phantom 3 Advanced and Professional, Inspire 1, and the new Phantom 4 drones. COMMANDER features streamlined data capture and powerful analytics tools.
With COMMANDER, users outline the area they want to map and the app automatically generates the optimal route and autonomously flies it for them. Images are processed into high-resolution maps and 3D models accessed in the Skycatch Dashboard. Professionals in construction, mining, and energy use Dashboard to inform business decisions and carry out functions such as calculating assets, planning logistics, and reporting progress.
“Collaboration is essential in helping industry professionals evolve with technology,” said Skycatch CEO Christian Sanz. “COMMANDER opens the doors of aerial data capture so any project manager can become a drone pilot and any job site can benefit from new data sets and improved workflows.”
With step-by-step in-app guidance, automated features for flying, and direct access to processed imagery via web browser, COMMANDER is making aerial data more accessible for drone users.
COMMANDER can be downloaded here.
