With one breath the superyacht industry is condemning the use of drones as a security risk with threats to blow the things out of the sky and with the other breath they are hailing them as the latest tool in a navigational arsenal
Delivering a marine electronics industry first, Raymarine has updated its Axiom navigation system with a new LightHouse 3.6 update for Axiom MFD that offers integration with DJI Mavic Pro Drones
Axiom users can now take to the skies with the latest update. The new app brings together the power and simplicity electronic navigation matching with it advanced unmanned aerial imaging.
Compatible with the popular and highly capable DJI Mavic Pro drone, the Axiom UAV app automates many common tasks including launch, airborne imaging, in-flight navigation, and return-to boat. Fishing and cruising boats alike can greatly benefit from having this added aerial imaging platform integrated onboard.
Advantages include the ability for Captains to send the drone out to scout ahead. He can use UAV Goto to fly to points of interest, waypoints, or chart locations. Great for finding the gap in the reef or even to see what other yachts are anchored in the yachts destination spot
Using GPS navigation, the Mavic Pro will fly to the precise location you selected and hover on station. While airborne you can see the UAV on your navigation chart along with its course, speed, altitude and camera orientation.
The app offers multiple options to control the Mavic Pro in flight, including an automatic “Return to Boat” feature.
In addition to the automatic flight modes, Axiom UAV also offers virtual on-screen joysticks for manual flight. You can also take control at any time with the DJI Mavic Pro joystick controller.
Axiom UAV is a free update for Axiom, Axiom Pro and Axiom XL multifunction displays. The LightHouse 3.6 update is now available for Axiom owners to download directly to their Wi-Fi-enabled MFDs or users can download the software from the Raymarine.com website.
Other uses include using the drone as a virtual tuna tower, capturing the action of landing trophy fish.
There is no need for Captains to peer into their cell phones to capture the action because birds-eye viewing on the big screen Axiom MFD frees the drone from your tiny Smartphone screen and allows them to view imagery on the sizeable Raymarine Axiom or Axiom Pro MFD screen.