Each year I video a group of 100+ runners from the front as they start round a semi-circular start, then down a straight, and then hover and video them all passing my drone. In the past I have done this using DJI GO (Phantom 3 S) with mixed success. Trying to keep the drone facing towards the runners and fly it in front of them is taxing my flying skills. Is there any way Litchi might help me?
If you still have your Phantom (or any other Litchi compatible drone), you could consider “Litchi Magic Leash”. One of the runners would have to carry the 2nd mobile device.
I made a tutorial on how to use Follow Mode with the “Litchi for DJI drones” app:
Many thanks TriBar, but I’m not sure I can get one of the runners to help with this . . . and since there is no opportunity to test beforehand, I think I will just go for it as usual. Or perhaps set some WayPoints to help me guide the drone (yes still the old faithful P3S).
Using this method you only have to manually control Speed, Yaw & Gimbal Pitch.
Set both Cruising Speed & Max Flight Speed to maximum, Heading Mode to Manual & Gimbal Pitch to Disabled.
Thanks for your help. Been out for a test, and got heading mode set for each waypoint to look back towards the runners. Speed and Gambal pitch I can manage. I would love to set waypoint one to get out there, and pause/hover, until the race actually starts. Is there a way to do this . . . or is it just set speed to manual (I haven’t yet)?
As soon as the drone reaches WP1, pull and hold the right stick all the way down, the drone will hover in place as long as you hold the stick down.