McCormick Woods Lab

In class on October 23rd 2018, we were told to meet at McCormick Woods to run missions on communications. We used the orange Unity Drone to complete these missions. When we arrived Evan Hockridge was put in charge of the communications for this flight. Communication for this flight became a little more difficult because the area we were covering was over a very large wooden area. This made keeping visual line of sight difficult for the group. In order to keep visual line of sight for the mission at all times, two groups spread out over the golf course next to the woods and visual line of sight was handed off over the wallkie talkies. It was vital to the integrity of the mission that communication between the flight crew and visual observers was constant and clear. The team did a wonderful job making call outs such as "Drone is in sight for observer crew 1," or "Flight crew has line of sight of the drone." The missions were successful and safe thanks to the great communications between the flight crew and both visual observer teams.

Update: We flew a similar mission at McCormick Woods earlier this week on October 29th 2018. We learned that these missions were being flown to collect data on tree species. The goal was to take video and imagery we RBG cameras in hope to be able to identify the species of trees below using color change. Again, communication was the main part of the lab for most members. We ensured safe flight and operations using procedures that we developed ourselves that seem to fit this mission.

Open Source GIS Lab

Introduction

* What is GIS? That is, is it just software. What did Dr. Christina Hupy stress when she spoke about what defines what exactly constitutes GIS?
We all know that GIS is opensource software that helps us analyse and view geographical data. What Christina Hupy stressed was that you can't just plug in data and expect results, but that you have to manipulate the data so that the viewer can see what you want them to see. You must label things clearly to show the viewer what type of spacial data you are trying to interpret.
* What makes open source GIS (QGIS) different than proprietary (ESRI) GIS?
The main difference is that for proprietary software you need to buy and own the program, but for open source software you can use it for any software the supports it. Open source code is also shared between many people that can be adjusted as well with specific permissions while proprietary software you cannot change the code.
* What are advantages and disadvantages between the two?
Pros for opensource include getting help from a huge community on forums for problems, where the proprietary you can get tech support directly from the company. Also with open source it has less buggy coding because it is tested more frequently from many different people. Open source can branch off in different directions depending on where people want to take it and proprietary cannot.
* Why is Open Source GIS important to the UAS industry? That is, speculate upon your own experiences and goals to relate how this software could open doors and markets where proprietary GIS keeps doors closed.
The UAS industry is still very new. It is growing quickly and the application for drones are endless. Open source is very useful for new applications because it is easily adjusted to the users needs. Open source software can grow with the users and communities, where as a proprietary software is set when finished and will need completely new updates to catch up with the growing industry. That is why open source GIS will probably be used more in the UAS field than proprietary GIS.

Conclusions
* Draw upon the previous lab and compare your experience between Arc Desktop and QGIS.
Both were similar in some ways and very different in others. Arc Desktop was better for map making, but I felt like QGIS had more to offer in displaying and viewing data. QGIS had more to offer with different extensions and plug ins that were created by the community with a broader spectrum of use, where Arc Desktop seem to specialize on specific areas of view spatial data.
Both QGIS and Arc Desktop were good for their own reasons, but I think I prefer QGIS because it is open source, and I have more experience with open source software.

Introduction

Why are proper cartographic skills essential in working with UAS data?
Proper cartographic skills are essential in working with UAS data. Without proper skills, data is easily skewed. Using proper mapping and labeling the viewer can easily see what the map is trying to portray.
* What are the fundamentals of turning either a drawing or an aerial image into a map?
The main difference from a picture and a map is labels and scales. Without a scale, a map cannot be read correctly. A map also needs a compass rose and a legend for any symbols that have been included in the map. A map is considered a tool and the tool isn't useful without legends or scales. Maps should be easily interpreted by all viewers.
* What can spatial patterns of data tell the reader about UAS data? Provide several examples.

* What are the objectives of the lab?
This labs purpose was to get the familiar with cartographic mapping data. We went in depth into the Arc Mapping program. This program has multiple configurations and adjustable options for how you would like to show and view your map. The main objectives were how to make a good map and how to properly interpret it.

Methods

What key characteristics should go into folder and file naming conventions?
Make sure when naming files and folders to be precise and accurate. These folders will be used later for development of the project and without proper labeling it will be impossible to keep track of and find the data you need.
o Why is file management so key in working with UAS data?
The data that we collect is very precise and needs to be sorted accordingly. Data we collect is used in different parts of making these maps and should be clearly labeled so that the data doesn't get mixed up or lost while filing.
o What key forms of metadata should be associated with every UAS mission?
Metadata is important for geospatial technology to work properly. This includes things like sensors, altitudes flown, datum for the project, and ground control points if used.
What basemap did you use? Why?
I used a map of the United States to show what part of the country this data was in. I zoomed in on the area in Wisconsin that this map was portraying so that a viewer of the map could tell the overall area of where the map was.
What is the difference between a DSM and DEM? 
DSM is a digital surface model. This is a model that can capture the natural and built features of the Earth's surface. It is useful in 3D modeling. DEM stands for Digital elevation model. This is a vertical datum. Things such as buildings or power lines or man made objects usually arent included in DEM.
What does hillshading do towards being able to visualize relief and topography.
Hillshading is Technique that highlights and helps terrain altitudes stand out in topography.
How does the orthomosaic relate to what you see in the shaded relief of the DSM
The orthomosaic is a a clear view of the image while the DSM is a customizable form that you can use to exaggerate what you'd like the view to see.
What is the purpose of vertical exaggeration? What settings do you have for your data?
o What color ramp did you use? Why?
I used a green yellow red ramp. I did this because I figured those colors popped and they would be easy for anyone to read and interpret. Green was the lower elevation moving to red on the higher altitude.
o What are the advantages of using ArcScene to view UAS DSM data vs. the overhead shaded relief in ArcMap. What are the disadvantages?
In ArcScene you can view the data differently and control it how you'd like to. You can emphasize the altitude and height of the map easier. You can change how dramatic the altitude is. In ArcMap you can't adjust specific properties.
Is this export a map? Why or why not?
Yes because it is properly labeled with a legend, scale, and compass. It is not just a picture.

Conclusion

Summarize what makes UAS data useful as a tool to the cartographer and GIS user.
UAS data is useful for accurate in depth results. Without this data, cartographers couldn't use as much detail for their maps. They wouldn't be able to make comparisons or show important information to the view.
* What limitations does the data have? What should the user know about the data when working with it.
The limitation on the data depends on the controller of the flight. If they don't collect the right data or use the right sensors for the mission, or if they don't fly properly to get good results, the data will not be useful.
* Speculate what other forms of data this data could be combined with to make it even more useful
Other forms of data include older maps that could be updates, maps that haven't been made yet because it was too difficult or dangerous to do an on foot mapping mission, and other cartography maps that could be adjusted or improved with this data.

Ethics and The Predator Drone

            Ethics was not a major key element in the book, The Secret Origins of the Drone Revolution. Ethics and drones have been evolving the bigger the drone world gets. There is an ongoing evaluation from the public. Some say drones are a huge invasion of privacy and a burden to deal with in public areas. Others say that drones are a useful tool that will advance technology and help people for the better. The Predator drone is a well-known drone to the military and the public, and a wide range of views and opinions have been discussed about it. Should drones like the Predator be used for surveillance of our country and other countries? Should remote strikes and assassinations be allowed from those who have the technology for it? Are drones more helpful to people that they are invasive? These questions are still being discussed by those in the communities that drones effect.

            Surveillance has been something that has evolved tremendously since drones have started attaching payloads such as high-quality cameras and sensors. The Ethics argument that has risen in the public, is that drones are a huge invasion of privacy. Although I don’t agree with that statement, I do understand where people who say that are coming from. It is a hard thing to adjust to, the fact that a drone can be watching you when you can’t even see it ten thousand feet above you. But that technology can help people way more than it could harm them. Imagine the possibilities of safety programs being implemented with the help of drones, small and large scale. Surveillance with drones could help people live safer lives and help response times of emergency authorities increase. This technology can help find missing people, keep watch of a group of suspicious people, or even keep view of children playing in a public area to assure safety.

            Remote strikes and assassinations have occurred multiple times using drone technology. Some people think that killing someone from across the world using cameras and rockets is weak, and unfair. Others think that every moment a solider isn’t in harm’s way is a victory. I think that to an extent, drone strikes, and assassinations are necessary. I believe in extreme cases and in world crisis that it is an option to look at. But if we as a country and other nations as well start thinking that it is acceptable to solve all our problems by launching drone strikes, then that will just lead to bigger and bigger problems. Drone strikes, and assassinations are a usually tool but only for extreme circumstances, and should be avoided if possible, but I agree that using strikes instead of soldiers that could not come back is a good alternative.

            One other problem with drone strikes is that it is very difficult to tell if the target is killed. Confirming kills is a very important part of a mission, and if it is unknown that a target is killed then more problems could arise in the future. That is why in some instances our military has sent in specialized teams so that we could take proper footage and record the kill to prove that the job was done correctly and successfully.

            Drone technology is just going to keep pushing forward and advancing. Eventually drones will be able to stay airborne for days, even weeks, and fly heights unimaginable to us now. Cameras and payloads will be able to receive and record data and high-quality video. Even if there are civilian laws that restrict drone use to the public, commercial and military drones will always be moving forward. The military will not stop using drones for tactical surveillance or drone strikes unless it becomes illegal which I don’t see happening soon. It could be possible that drone laws for those who don’t have commercial licenses are tighten for public comfort, but for now the FAA is taking things step by step and instance by instance. The way drone laws are being formed is the FAA waits for an instant that was bad, and then makes a law to prevent that in the future. For instance, when drones where first coming out to use for the public, someone was using them to hunt wildlife. The FAA did not see this fit and fair, so they made a law preventing it in the future. Of course, like all laws, different places have different variations and problems so different states and regions might have different laws regarding drones.

            I do strongly believe that some checks should be in place for the future of the drone industry, especially on the public/civilian level. Those who are not properly trained should be limited to their drone use heavily to avoid accidents and instances. To be able to use high quality equipment you should have to be licensed and trained through a proper program. To use drones to make any money commercially you should be licensed and trained through a proper program. The future will defiantly look different for drones than what we are seeing now. Even five years ago, some of the technology we have now did not even look obtainable.

            When it comes to what we can and should use drones for, we will have to be very cautious and careful as a community. Security and surveillance if not stated clearly and in detail could be misleading from a civilian aspect. People do not want to feel uncomfortable with what drones are doing. Education should be administered to the public so that they do not have to fear this technology that is really made to help them. Security with drones could be huge but we first must educate the generally public, so they don’t feel like they are being spied on, or that their privacy is being breached. The people using drones for security should be trained properly and licensed, knowing their limits and boundaries on other’s privacy.

            The Predator drone is a great example of Ethics problems that could arise because of drones. It can be traced down to smaller drones and other problems that can arise with drones in general. Some of the key elements we need to think about Ethically are surveillance and security, drone strikes and assassinations, and where drones are heading in the future. I think that drones are a better tool than they are a hindrance. I strongly believe that if people are educated on the topic, and realize that drones are useful tools, then they will be able to understand the uses and that they aren’t bad things. Educating the public is going to be a huge part of moving forward for drones in the future.