Folks,
In our search and rescue efforts, we have two different types of drones - some that use Enterprise controllers, and other smaller field deployed drones that utilize the RC2 controller. It’s the field deployed drones that I’m looking for a solution.
Basically, our search segments are created using the OpenGIS namespace XSD and each segment is a polygon. The search using a field deployed drone doesn’t necessarily use waypoints to have the drone fly itself, but it would be incredibly helpful if the pilot was able to see their search segment as a polygon on the screen so they have situational awareness of where they’ve flown and where they haven’t. We are currently working on a solution where the drones location can be sent to a local mapping system on a separate computer, but this solution requires extra gear including a computer and an access point (often, in the field, we don’t have Internet access on our phones, so the AP will enable a phone to connect to the computer). The problem with this solution is the extra gear that’s required and the potential issues of gear failing as well as the need to maintain more equipment.
If there’s interest in following up on this topic, I can send you a sample KML/KMZ file that shows the basic polygons we use within the team.