Drone Automator automates drone mission planning, which remains largely manual in most existing tools. Instead of creating missions point by point, pilots generate complete missions automatically and refine them afterward. Key features include AI-assisted flight planning, KMZ file export for DJI controllers, support for extended mapping missions, and a high level of customization rare in simpler platforms.
For a solo aerial photographer, Drone Automator enables fast, AI-powered flight planning for complex aerial shoots. Example: Generate a complete flight plan for a large property survey in minutes, allowing more time for capturing high-quality images and client interaction.
Construction surveyor automating site mapping missions
Construction site surveyor
For a construction site surveyor, Drone Automator enables automated mission planning for extended mapping missions. Example: Create a detailed flight plan covering a large construction site with AI assistance, ensuring comprehensive data capture and reducing manual planning time from hours to minutes.
Drone pilot managing multiple large-scale projects
Professional drone pilot
For a professional drone pilot, Drone Automator enables efficient management of multiple large-scale drone missions. Example: Quickly generate and refine flight plans for various projects, exporting KMZ files directly for DJI controllers, streamlining operations across different client needs.
For an agricultural drone operator, Drone Automator enables AI-assisted flight planning for precise crop surveys. Example: Automatically generate optimized flight paths for extensive farmland mapping, ensuring complete coverage and allowing for detailed analysis of crop health.
Frequently asked questions
Is Drone Automator free?
Drone Automator offers an Open Source Edition which is free and licensed under the Apache2 License. The Enterprise Edition is source-available and has specific licensing terms, including being free for organizations under $1 million USD in annual gross revenue.
How much does Drone Automator cost?
The Open Source Edition of Drone Automator is free. The Enterprise Edition has specific free usage tiers for small businesses and startups, with affordable entry-level plans starting at $299 per month for those who do not qualify for free use.
What's the best alternative to Drone Automator?
While Drone Automator is a powerful tool for automated drone mission planning, alternatives like DronaHQ offer low-code solutions for building internal tools and applications, which may serve different needs within an organization.
Is Drone Automator secure / GDPR-compliant?
Drone Automator's Enterprise Edition offers features like organization secrets and scalable storage, contributing to security. DronaHQ, a related platform, is SOC-II and ISO 27001 certified and ensures SSL encryption, with a self-hosted version available for HIPAA compliance.
Does Drone Automator have a mobile / web / desktop version?
Drone Automator's Enterprise Edition supports features like distributed and Kubernetes runners, suggesting a robust, likely server-based architecture. DronaHQ, which shares some functionalities, offers web and mobile app access for its users.
How do I install Drone Automator?
The Open Source Edition of Drone Automator can be built from source using specific build tags. The Enterprise Edition can be downloaded from Dockerhub, with installation instructions provided in its documentation.
What is the difference between Drone Automator Open Source and Enterprise?
The Open Source Edition is suitable for basic needs, while the Enterprise Edition offers advanced features such as distributed runners, Kubernetes runners, organization secrets, cron scheduling, and scalable storage.