Orthomosaic mapping is a process that takes hundreds of overhead photos and stitches them together in such a way that removes lens distortion, object side angles, etc. Satellite maps such as Google and Apple Maps work in this way, but it’s unreasonable to expect the satellites to pass directly overhead or have a clear view of your site. A drone doesn’t have this problem and can create far more accurate, clear and useful maps.

Resolution and how often Google and Apple Maps are updated are dictated mostly by population density, meaning that rural areas may see their mapping unchanged for up to a decade. In the example below, Apple Maps shows part of a business park that burned down three years earlier. Drag the handle across to see the drone version. The image quality, resolution and top-down accuracy speak for themselves. With a drone, you’re looking at the site earlier that day, not that decade…