Development of a UAV-based VR imaging system for wetland ecosystem monitoring

Abstract

In this study, VR image capturing equipment capable of approaching targets and being inserted into vegetation was developed using an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) and an omnidirectional camera (VR camera). Furthermore, a capturing protocol for this equipment was established. The effectiveness of the equipment was confirmed through field operations in various wetlands in Hokkaido. To satisfy the requirements of equipment transportation, operational difficulty, flight duration, positioning accuracy, portability, and image quality, a suitable UAV and VR camera were selected. Subsequently, custom parts for the equipment were developed to satisfy these requirements. To enable efficient and rapid deployment, a dedicated capturing protocol was also developed. Performance tests and VR image capturing were conducted at 26 wetlands in Hokkaido using the developed equipment and protocol. Issues encountered during capturing were addressed, and the parts and protocols were improved accordingly. Consequently, 85% of all flight and capturing attempts were successful. The previously existing issues associated with using UAVs and VR cameras have now been significantly improved. As a result, a method for acquiring high-resolution VR images with high-precision coordinate information has been established. This non-invasive, immersive, wide-ranging, and high-resolution capturing method has the potential to be a significant tool and monitoring technique for the accurate archiving of the status of wetland ecosystems for future reference.