It provides photo and video shooting capability in the thermal range. Another popular type of payload is a thermal imager. This is necessary to calculate vegetation, such as NDVI.
If you are choosing a drone for agricultural purposes, you will need a camera capable of shooting in the near infrared range. If you choose a UAV with an interchangeable payload, make sure that the replacement does not require additional tools and that the electronics automatically detect the type of payload, and can control it without any additional setting or reflashing. Many UAVs can be supplied with a different payload, but not all payloads can be changed by the operator. If high accuracy is not required, it is possible to use less expensive models of camera without high-accuracy navigational equipment. To get the required quality, it is necessary to use high-precision GNSS receivers and to shoot with large matrix cameras with between-lens shutter. The shooting materials should comply with standard documentation for topographic, geodesic and land surveying operations. Select both the payload type and UAV type depending on your tasks and what kind of data you want to get. The drone can be equipped with payloads of different types: a photo or video camera, a thermal imager, a magnetometer, a gas analyzer, or a laser scanner. Let's consider several basic characteristics which should be taken into consideration. When you have made your decision on the UAV type, other selection criteria depend on the type of work for which you are purchasing the UAV. When selecting the most suitable UAV type, it is necessary to decide what tasks you are going to undertake using the drone and consequently what you need: speed and long range or maneuvering ability and accuracy. What UAV characteristics should be considered when choosing But their relatively low speed and flight time lead to a shorter range than plane type UAVs. They are characterized by stable flight, simple design and high reliability. Copters are best suited for the examination of buildings and tasks connected with 3D modeling of objects or the inspection of high-rise structures, transmission towers, bridges, or dams. These include various different configurations: tricopter (3 rotors) quadrocopter (4 rotors), hexacopter (6 rotors) or octocopter (8 rotors).