New Drone Offers Stability, Affordability, and Advanced Data Management
Tokyo-based Terra Drone Corporation has announced the launch of its indoor inspection drone, Terra Xross 1, in both Japan and the United States. The drone is designed to operate in challenging environments, offering stable flight performance in confined, dark, and dusty conditions. The company states that the Terra Xross 1 is priced at approximately one-third the cost of similar drones, aiming to make indoor inspection technology more accessible.
Addressing Challenges in Indoor Inspections
Indoor inspections often involve hazardous environments, including confined spaces and elevated areas. Traditional methods require extensive preparation and pose safety risks. While drones can improve efficiency, indoor operations present challenges such as instability due to the absence of GPS and high costs.
Terra Drone developed Terra Xross 1 to address these issues. The drone integrates visual odometry sensors and LiDAR, ensuring stable flight without requiring advanced piloting skills. Additionally, the company introduced Terra Xross Cloud, a cloud-based platform for 3D data management and quick data sharing.
Key Features of Terra Xross 1
Stable Flight in Difficult Conditions
Terra Xross 1 uses visual odometry sensors and LiDAR to maintain stable flight. Unlike conventional sensors that struggle in dark or dusty areas, LiDAR tracks displacement to estimate position, improving reliability.
Affordable Pricing
By optimizing in-house development and production, Terra Drone has lowered manufacturing costs. The Terra Xross 1 is available for under $25,000 USD, making it a cost-effective alternative to other indoor inspection drones.
Extended Flight Time with Tethered Power
One limitation of indoor drones is short battery life. Terra Xross 1 supports both battery operation and a tethered power module, enabling continuous flight. This reduces downtime and eliminates risks associated with power depletion during inspections.
High-Quality Imaging
Equipped with a 4K camera with 180° tilt and LED lighting, the drone captures clear images and videos in low-light environments. This enhances its ability to document inspection sites accurately.
Efficient Data Management with Terra Xross Cloud
The Terra Xross Cloud platform allows users to visualize captured data in 3D and manage both point cloud data and recorded videos. This enables rapid information sharing among teams, improving workflow efficiency.
Applications Across Industries
The Terra Xross 1 is designed for a range of applications, including:
- Infrastructure Inspection: Inspecting confined areas in oil and gas plants.
- Mining Surveys: Conducting 3D mapping for excavation planning.
- Disaster Assessment: Evaluating structural damage in disaster-affected locations.
- Security Monitoring: Conducting safety checks in government and public buildings.
Terra Drone aims to make advanced drone technology more accessible with this new product. The Terra Xross 1 offers stable flight without requiring specialized piloting skills, making it suitable for a variety of industries.
Development and Industry Support
The development of Terra Xross 1 was supported by the Nippon Foundation-DeepStar Collaboration Program for decarbonization in the offshore oil and gas sector. The program, established in 2021, promotes technologies that contribute to sustainability in the energy industry.
For more details about Terra Xross 1, visit Terra Drone’s product page
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Miriam McNabb is the Editor-in-Chief of DRONELIFE and CEO of JobForDrones, a professional drone services marketplace, and a fascinated observer of the emerging drone industry and the regulatory environment for drones. Miriam has penned over 3,000 articles focused on the commercial drone space and is an international speaker and recognized figure in the industry. Â Miriam has a degree from the University of Chicago and over 20 years of experience in high tech sales and marketing for new technologies.
For drone industry consulting or writing, Email Miriam.
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