Survey Updates in Drone Technology: Release of WingtraRAY by Wingtra for Surveying Professionals, Exciting Desert Flights with Mavic 4 Pro, and Further Developments
In the dynamic world of drone technology, a new player is making waves among surveyors: the WingtraRAY. This professional, fixed-wing drone offers a host of key features and capabilities that set it apart from its competitors.
One of the standout aspects of the WingtraRAY is its impressive flight time and coverage. With a maximum flight time of up to 59 minutes, this drone can cover an impressive 550 hectares in a single flight. This makes it an ideal tool for large-scale mapping projects, providing surveyors with the efficiency they need to complete their tasks swiftly and accurately.
Accuracy and precision are paramount in the field of surveying, and the WingtraRAY delivers on both counts. The drone offers absolute accuracy with Real-Time Kinematic (RTK) and Post-Processing Kinematic (PPK) capabilities, ensuring precise survey data. In fact, it achieves horizontal accuracy of 1 cm without Ground Control Points (GCPs) using PPK.
The WingtraRAY is also flexible when it comes to sensors. It is equipped with a nadir RGB sensor suitable for photogrammetry, providing good precision and coverage up to 330 ha at a resolution of 2.4 cm/px at 120 m. Its modular design allows for easy switching between different sensors, enhancing versatility for various survey tasks.
The WingtraRAY is designed for efficiency in workflow, allowing users to plan, capture, and process data in a single connected system without the need for file conversions or app switching. It also supports one-person field operations, enabling full team productivity and reducing manual tasks.
The drone is adaptable to both rural and urban environments, providing confidence in mission success. It offers a cost-effective solution by being highly versatile and capable of serving a wide range of projects, from fine detail inspections to large-scale mapping.
Setting up and operating the WingtraRAY is a breeze, with setup completed in just five minutes, and sensor or battery swaps being quick. This simplicity ensures that anyone can fly it while ensuring everyone gets results.
Elsewhere in the drone industry, DJI, a major player, continues to face significant hurdles, including inventory shortages and ongoing security concerns in the U.S. If DJI isn't audited for security by December 23, the company will face a potential automatic ban in the U.S. In response, DJI has released a 2025 Drone Security White Paper detailing its layered approach to security, including features like Local Data Mode and AES-256 encryption.
Meanwhile, Sky Elements, another drone company, has made headlines for its record-breaking drone shows. The company performed the most live drone shows (25) in 24 hours by different pilots, setting three Guinness World Records. Additionally, Sky Elements performed the most live drone shows (nine) in one hour by different pilots, and over 600 pounds of trash were hauled from Mount Everest by drones.
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[1] Wingtra, 2021. WingtraRAY Datasheet. [Online]. Available: https://wingtra.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/WingtraRAY-Datasheet-EN.pdf [2] Wingtra, 2021. WingtraRAY Specifications. [Online]. Available: https://wingtra.com/products/wingtra-ray/specifications/ [4] Wingtra, 2021. WingtraRAY Operating Instructions. [Online]. Available: https://wingtra.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/WingtraRAY-Operating-Instructions-EN.pdf
- The efficiency of the WingtraRAY in large-scale mapping projects is unmatched, as it can cover 550 hectares in a single flight with a flight time of up to 59 minutes, making it a preferred choice for surveyors.
- The WingtraRAY offers exceptional accuracy for surveying tasks with Real-Time Kinematic (RTK) and Post-Processing Kinematic (PPK) capabilities, achieving horizontal accuracy of 1 cm without Ground Control Points (GCPs) using PPK.
- The versatility of the WingtraRAY is evident in its modular design, allowing for easy switching between different sensors, enhancing its adaptability for various survey tasks.
- The WingtraRAY simplifies workflow by planning, capturing, and processing data in a single connected system, supporting one-person field operations for increased productivity and reducing manual tasks.
- In the competitive drone industry, the WingtraRAY stands out as a tech-advanced business solution, providing a cost-effective and flexible tool suitable for both rural and urban environments.
