Fujifilm Corporation has developed a Linux software development kit (SDK) for remotely controlling the “GFX100 Series” mirrorless digital camera, which uses a 102-megapixel large-format sensor, when mounted on a drone. Going forward, the company will begin providing the SDK to drone manufacturers who wish to mount the “GFX100 Series” on their drones.
As the first step, the company will collaborate with Autonomy Holdings, Inc., which is developing drones with high flight accuracy and an original autopilot (automatic control function), to begin research and development into high-precision infrastructure inspection by combining Autonomy’s new drone, the “Surveyor IV,” with the “GFX100 Series” that uses the SDK.
As the deterioration of domestic infrastructure progresses, inspections are becoming increasingly important for maintenance. Due to safety issues when inspecting high places and places that are difficult for people to access, remote infrastructure inspections using a combination of drones and high-resolution digital cameras are attracting attention. However, infrastructure inspections require high accuracy so that 0.1 mm cracks can be clearly identified, and when using drones for inspections, it is necessary to capture as wide an area as possible in one shot in order to shorten flight time.
About the GFX100 series of cameras
The GFX100 series, which is equipped with a 102-megapixel large-format sensor, is capable of capturing ultra-high-resolution images when combined with a dedicated interchangeable lens. Because it can clearly capture cracks and other defects with a wide angle of view, it reduces the number of shots by approximately 40% compared to a camera equipped with a 61-megapixel 35mm image sensor, thereby shortening inspection time. The Fujifilm GFX100 II was released last year and has been a trending camera, with Fujifilm promoting it as a capable video camera..
Mounting one on a drone
To start, cameras mounted on drones generally tend to be expensive because they are lightweight, dedicated models. On the other hand, the latest model in the “GFX100 series,” the “FUJIFILM GFX100S II,” weighs a total of approximately 1,273g when combined with the “Fujinon Lens GF35-70mmF4.5-5.6 WR,” making it extremely light for a camera equipped with a large format sensor with over 100 million pixels, and it is possible to mount it on a drone as a consumer camera system. This setup works with overwhelming cost performance compared to drone-dedicated cameras equipped with the same sensor.
By using the Linux-compatible SDK that the company has developed, drone manufacturers can develop camera control software tailored to their own specifications, which will enable remote control of Fujifilm’s ultra-high-resolution digital cameras on their own systems.
