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Week 04 3d Scanning

Introduction

The purpose of this mission was to demonstrate the capabilities of the Skydio S2 platform in conducting automated 3D scanning operations for applications such as accident scene reconstruction, damage documentation, and structural analysis. The Skydio 3D Scan feature allows the aircraft to autonomously collect overlapping oblique imagery from multiple angles, producing datasets suitable for generating 3D point clouds and photogrammetric models. This type of workflow is commonly used in real-world public safety and forensic investigations because it enables accurate documentation of scenes long after the original event has occurred.

For this exercise, our team completed two scanning missions. The first mission focused on capturing a full 3D scan of a parked vehicle, representing an accident scene scenario. The second mission involved scanning a vertical pole structure using the 3D Tower Scan mode to document tall, narrow objects. Together, these missions allowed us to compare different scanning modes and understand how scan floor, ceiling, and distance settings influence coverage and reconstruction quality.

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2. Study Area

Both missions were conducted outdoors in a controlled, open-use area at Purdue University in West Lafayette. The site consisted of a mix of grass and asphalt, with surrounding small trees, light poles, and other man-made fixtures. The environment provided sufficient open space to operate safely while containing enough structural detail to perform meaningful 3D scans.

Weather and Environmental Conditions: The temperature during operations was approximately 83°F, with clear skies and visibility up to 10 nautical miles. Winds were out of the northeast at approximately 11 knots, with intermittent gusts reaching 19 knots. These gusting wind conditions required attentive aircraft monitoring but did not significantly impact scan performance. The density altitude was recorded at approximately 2,045 feet.

Potential Hazards: Nearby obstacles included several light poles, portable restrooms, and scattered small trees. In addition, foot traffic occasionally passed through the perimeter of the field. Situational awareness was maintained through continuous PIC monitoring, and no unsafe flight conditions occurred.

Figure 1. Study area location and flight zone. (Insert screenshot here.)

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3. Methods

Mission 1 – 3D Scan of Vehicle

The objective of the first mission was to capture imagery of a parked vehicle from multiple angles to enable later creation of a highly detailed 3D model. The scan floor was set just below the vehicle wheel level to ensure full undercarriage and lower-body coverage, while the scan ceiling was set slightly above the roofline to capture the upper structure. Scan distance was kept close enough to preserve detail while maintaining safe operational clearance. The Skydio S2 navigated the scanning path autonomously, and one battery was used to complete this mission. No operational issues occurred.

Mission 2 – 3D Tower Scan of Light Pole

The second mission used the 3D Tower Scan mode to document a vertical light pole structure. The scan floor was set at ground elevation, while the scan ceiling extended slightly above the top of the light pole. This ensured the entire vertical profile was included. Flight time was approximately 14 minutes, and one battery was used. The aircraft maintained stable flight despite variable wind gusts. No technical errors or interruptions occurred.

Figure 2. Mission planning screen for Vehicle Scan. (Insert screenshot.)

Figure 3. Mission planning screen for Tower Scan. (Insert screenshot.)

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4. Data Collection Outcomes

The table below summarizes data collection metrics for both missions:

Table 9

Table 9

Mission

Drive + Setup Time

Flight Time

Number of Images Captured

Approx. Size per Image

Total Dataset Size

Mission 1 – Vehicle 3D Scan

_______

Mission 2 – Light Pole 3D Scan

_______

There are no rows in this table

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All collected data was reviewed in the field to verify clarity and image exposure quality. No corrupted, missing, or blurred images were identified. The dataset was then saved to shared storage so that all flight crew members have access for future modeling assignments.

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5. Conclusion

This mission successfully demonstrated the Skydio S2’s automated 3D scanning capabilities for both horizontal and vertical structures. The vehicle scan provided imagery suitable for future accident reconstruction workflows, while the tower scan illustrated how the platform can capture tall, narrow infrastructure elements. The process reinforced the importance of proper scan height, scan distance, floor and ceiling settings, and environmental risk assessment. Overall, the mission provided practical experience in professional-grade data collection techniques used in public safety UAS operations.

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