Customer Case | AYK Series VTOL for Forest and Grassland Inspection and Mapping

Customer Background

A land management agency responsible for monitoring vast forest and grassland areas faced challenges with traditional inspection methods. Ground patrols were time-consuming and could not cover the expansive terrain efficiently, while aerial surveys using helicopters were costly and lacked the precision required for detailed mapping. The agency sought an efficient solution to not only monitor vegetation health and wildlife but also to create accurate topographical maps of large areas.

Solution

After reviewing several UAV options, the agency chose the Foxtech AYK Series VTOL, which offered a perfect combination of vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) capability, long endurance, and high payload capacity for carrying the necessary equipment. The following advantages made it the ideal choice for forest and grassland inspection and mapping:

✈ VTOL Design – The ability to take off and land vertically means the drone can be deployed in dense forests and remote grassland areas without the need for runways.

✈ Thermal Imaging Capability – Equipped with a thermal imaging camera, the AYK Series can detect temperature variations in the environment, identifying areas of heat stress in vegetation or wildlife in need of tracking.

✈ High Payload Capacity – Supports LiDAR sensors, high-resolution optical cameras, and thermal cameras simultaneously, making it suitable for both inspection and mapping applications.

✈ Long-Endurance Flights – Capable of covering large areas in a single flight, reducing the need for frequent recharging and maximizing operational time.

✈ Autonomous Mapping and Inspection – The UAV uses RTK positioning for highly accurate aerial mapping and inspection, allowing for the creation of detailed 3D models and topographic maps.

Implementation Process

✈ Equipment Integration – The AYK Series VTOL was equipped with LiDAR, thermal imaging cameras, and optical sensors for a comprehensive inspection and mapping solution.

✈ Flight Path Planning – Pre-programmed flight paths were set to cover the target areas efficiently, ensuring detailed data collection from multiple angles and altitudes.

✈ Automated Inspection & Mapping – The drone autonomously flew over the forest and grassland, capturing thermal images to identify hotspots and using LiDAR sensors to produce highly accurate topographic maps and 3D models.

✈ Data Processing and Output – The collected data was processed using advanced software to generate precise geographic mapping, helping the agency make informed land management decisions.

Results & Benefits

✈  Efficient Coverage – The AYK Series VTOL allowed the agency to inspect and map larger areas in a fraction of the time it would take with ground patrols or helicopters.
✈  Accurate Data for Decision-Making – The thermal imaging helped identify areas where vegetation was stressed or affected by disease, while LiDAR provided precise topographical maps for planning and development.
✈ Cost Savings – The long endurance and autonomous flight capability reduced the cost per mission by more than 50% compared to traditional aerial surveys.
✈  Enhanced Monitoring Capabilities – The real-time thermal data enabled faster detection of heat-related anomalies in the landscape, such as wildfires or animal activity, while 3D mapping provided a detailed overview of the terrain.

Customer Feedback

“The Foxtech AYK Series VTOL has greatly improved our efficiency in forest and grassland inspection and mapping. The combination of thermal imaging and LiDAR mapping allows us to create highly accurate topographic maps over large areas.This UAV has significantly reduced our operational costs and improved our decision-making process.” – Land Management Supervisor

The Foxtech AYK Series VTOL has greatly improved our efficiency in forest and grassland inspection and mapping. The combination of thermal imaging and LiDAR mapping allows us to create highly accurate topographic maps over large areas.

Looking to enhance your mapping and inspection efficiency?
Contact us today to learn how the AYK Series VTOL can optimize your land management and monitoring operations!