Neo: Master Complex Terrain Surveying Easily
Neo: Master Complex Terrain Surveying Easily
META: Learn how the Neo drone transforms complex terrain surveying with obstacle avoidance and intelligent tracking. Expert tips for optimal field mapping results.
TL;DR
- Fly at 80-120 meters AGL for optimal balance between terrain detail and obstacle clearance in complex environments
- Neo's intelligent obstacle avoidance enables confident surveying over uneven terrain, forests, and hillsides
- ActiveTrack and QuickShots automate challenging flight paths that would require expert manual piloting
- D-Log color profile preserves maximum data in shadows and highlights for accurate terrain analysis
Why Complex Terrain Demands Smarter Drone Technology
Surveying fields surrounded by forests, hills, or irregular topography creates unique challenges that ground-based methods simply cannot address efficiently. The Neo drone solves these problems through intelligent flight systems designed specifically for demanding environments.
Traditional surveying in complex terrain requires multiple ground crews, expensive equipment, and days of fieldwork. A single Neo flight captures comprehensive data in under 30 minutes while maintaining centimeter-level accuracy.
This guide walks you through the exact techniques professional surveyors use to maximize Neo's capabilities in challenging landscapes.
Understanding Neo's Obstacle Avoidance System
The Neo features omnidirectional sensing that detects obstacles in all directions simultaneously. This isn't simple collision detection—it's predictive path planning that adjusts your flight route in real-time.
How the System Works
Neo's obstacle avoidance uses multiple sensor types working together:
- Forward-facing stereo cameras detect objects up to 40 meters ahead
- Downward sensors maintain safe altitude over varying terrain
- Side-facing sensors prevent drift into trees or structures
- Upward detection protects against overhead obstacles during ascent
The system processes this data 30 times per second, creating a constantly updating 3D map of your environment.
When to Trust Automatic Avoidance
Obstacle avoidance performs exceptionally well in these conditions:
- Solid objects with defined edges (trees, buildings, poles)
- Terrain with greater than 15% reflectivity
- Lighting conditions between dawn and dusk
- Wind speeds under 25 km/h
Expert Insight: In heavily forested areas, set your minimum obstacle distance to 8 meters rather than the default 5 meters. This accounts for branch movement in wind and gives the system more reaction time. I've found this single adjustment eliminates 90% of close-call situations in woodland surveying.
Optimal Flight Altitude for Terrain Surveying
Altitude selection directly impacts both safety and data quality. Flying too low risks obstacles; flying too high sacrifices ground resolution.
The 80-120 Meter Sweet Spot
For most complex terrain surveying, maintain 80-120 meters above ground level (AGL). This range provides:
- Sufficient clearance over mature tree canopy (typically 25-40 meters)
- Ground sampling distance of 2-3 cm per pixel
- Adequate overlap for photogrammetry processing
- Reduced turbulence compared to lower altitudes
Adjusting for Specific Terrain Types
| Terrain Type | Recommended AGL | Overlap Setting | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rolling hills | 100-120m | 75% front/65% side | Account for elevation changes |
| Forested edges | 80-100m | 80% front/70% side | Higher overlap for canopy gaps |
| Rocky outcrops | 90-110m | 70% front/60% side | Watch for thermal updrafts |
| Wetlands | 80-90m | 75% front/65% side | Lower altitude for water detail |
| Mixed agriculture | 100-120m | 70% front/60% side | Standard survey settings |
Terrain Following vs. Fixed Altitude
Neo offers both terrain-following and fixed-altitude modes. For complex terrain, terrain following is essential.
Fixed altitude works when your survey area has less than 20 meters of elevation change. Beyond that threshold, ground sampling distance varies too dramatically for accurate measurements.
Terrain following uses downward sensors and pre-loaded elevation data to maintain consistent AGL throughout your flight path.
Leveraging Subject Tracking for Linear Features
When surveying features like fence lines, drainage channels, or field boundaries in complex terrain, ActiveTrack transforms a challenging manual flight into an automated process.
Setting Up ActiveTrack for Survey Work
ActiveTrack locks onto visual features and maintains consistent framing while you focus on obstacle awareness. For surveying applications:
- Select your target feature on the controller screen
- Set tracking mode to Parallel for linear features
- Adjust offset distance to 15-25 meters for optimal perspective
- Enable obstacle avoidance priority over tracking
The drone maintains your selected framing while automatically navigating around obstacles in its path.
Combining Tracking with Waypoint Missions
For repeatable surveys, combine ActiveTrack with saved waypoint missions. This hybrid approach gives you:
- Consistent flight paths for temporal comparison
- Automatic adjustment for moving obstacles (vehicles, livestock)
- Reduced pilot workload during long survey sessions
- Frame-accurate repeatability for change detection
QuickShots for Rapid Site Documentation
While QuickShots are often associated with creative content, they serve practical surveying purposes in complex terrain.
Dronie for Context Shots
The Dronie function flies backward and upward simultaneously, capturing your survey area in context. Use this at the start of each session to document:
- Overall site conditions
- Weather and lighting
- Reference points for later analysis
- Surrounding terrain features
Orbit for Structure Inspection
When your survey includes structures within complex terrain—barns, silos, equipment—Orbit captures 360-degree documentation automatically.
Set orbit radius to 20-30 meters for most agricultural structures. This distance provides complete coverage while maintaining safe clearance.
Pro Tip: Run two orbit passes at different altitudes—one at structure mid-height and one 10 meters above the highest point. This dual-pass approach captures both facade detail and roof condition without manual altitude adjustments.
Hyperlapse for Temporal Documentation
Hyperlapse creates time-compressed video that reveals patterns invisible in static imagery. For terrain surveying, this feature documents:
- Water flow patterns after rainfall
- Shadow movement for solar analysis
- Vegetation changes throughout growing seasons
- Erosion progression over multiple visits
Creating Effective Survey Hyperlapses
Set your Hyperlapse interval based on the phenomenon you're documenting:
- 2-second intervals for fast-moving water
- 5-second intervals for shadow studies
- 10-second intervals for cloud cover documentation
Neo stores both the compressed video and individual frames, giving you flexibility in post-processing.
D-Log: Preserving Maximum Terrain Data
Standard color profiles optimize for visual appeal. D-Log optimizes for data preservation—critical when surveying terrain with extreme contrast.
Why D-Log Matters for Surveying
Complex terrain creates challenging lighting conditions:
- Deep shadows in valleys and forest edges
- Bright highlights on exposed rock or water
- Rapid transitions between sun and shade
D-Log captures up to 3 additional stops of dynamic range compared to standard profiles. This means recoverable detail in both shadows and highlights during post-processing.
D-Log Workflow for Survey Data
- Enable D-Log in camera settings before flight
- Slightly overexpose by +0.3 to +0.7 stops (protects shadow detail)
- Process with LUT designed for survey applications
- Export in 16-bit format for maximum tonal information
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Ignoring wind patterns in complex terrain. Hills and forests create turbulence that flat-field pilots never encounter. Check wind forecasts and add 30% margin to Neo's stated wind resistance when flying near terrain features.
Relying solely on GPS altitude. GPS reports altitude above sea level, not above ground. In hilly terrain, this can mean flying dangerously close to ridgelines. Always use terrain-following mode or manually verify AGL.
Skipping pre-flight obstacle scanning. Walk your takeoff area and identify the tallest obstacles within 500 meters. Program these into your minimum altitude settings before launch.
Underestimating battery consumption. Obstacle avoidance, terrain following, and ActiveTrack all increase power draw. Plan for 20% less flight time than flat-terrain operations.
Neglecting compass calibration. Metal in soil, nearby equipment, or geological features can affect compass accuracy. Calibrate at each new survey location, not just when prompted.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Neo survey terrain with dense tree canopy?
Neo cannot see through tree canopy, but it excels at surveying terrain adjacent to forested areas. For canopy penetration, LiDAR-equipped drones are necessary. However, Neo's obstacle avoidance allows safe flight along forest edges and over gaps in canopy coverage, making it ideal for agricultural fields bordered by woodlands.
What ground control point spacing works best in hilly terrain?
Place ground control points every 100-150 meters in complex terrain, compared to 200-300 meters in flat areas. Position additional GCPs at significant elevation changes—hilltops, valley floors, and slope transitions. This density ensures accurate elevation modeling despite terrain variation.
How does ActiveTrack perform when the subject enters shadow?
ActiveTrack uses both visual and predictive algorithms. Brief shadow transitions rarely cause tracking loss. For extended shadow areas, the system predicts subject movement based on trajectory. If tracking does fail, Neo holds position and altitude rather than continuing blindly, giving you time to re-establish the track manually.
Ready for your own Neo? Contact our team for expert consultation.