Aerial Hotshot uses a a selection of specialised equipment to map and inspect assets This allows managers to gain an accurate spatial representation of assets under their control. This equipment uses GPS coordinates to geo-reference the data captured.
Q. So what do we mean by geo-referenced?
Geo-referencing (geo-tagged) means we associate the data/imagery that we capture to its 'actual position' on Earth, namely its latitude & longitude, which allows us to use this data to spatially orient the survey location. (i.e. map it)
If we did not geo-reference the data/imagery then it would just be imagery taken of 'somewhere' and cannot be mapped.
Q. What equipment is required?
Aerial HotShots has specialised equipment to capture geo-referenced data and tag the video and still photographs. The equipment includes geo-tagging equipment, Digital SLR Cameras and a powerful desktop multimedia mapping application that allows us to produce spatially orientated digital maps for the asset manager.
More on the Equipment......
Aerial Hotshots specialised equipment includes;
High resolution Digital SLR cameras and lenes to record still photographs.
Sony SD & HD Handi-cam us used for ground asset mapping.
Geo-referencing equipment that tags video and still photographs with GPS coordinates.
Holden Utility, Toyota Four Wheel Drive and a small vessel
MAPPING SOFTWARE
The captured geo-referenced information is imported into our powerful desktop multimedia mapping application that allows us to produce spatially orientated digital maps. These maps bring vital information to the eyes and fingertips of decision-makers, with the click of a button you know where something is and what it looks like.
The mapping software is ideal for recording points of interest. In video mode, we simply click our ‘feature’ button and the location is recorded on the multimedia map as a point of interest.
In video playback mode, the asset manager can select search-and-play, search-and-pause, and fast-forward and watch the cursor move to indicate the current location and camera direction. Photographs taken are marked on the map as points of interest and are displayed as thumbnails on the screen. Simply select the 'inspect picture' button and the image opens. Various information including the latitude and longitude is viewable. disp
The asset manager is provided with a 'viewer' version of our mapping software and this performs all the functions listed above.
Below is an example of what our mapping software looks like and a legend to explain its workings.
Legend
1. The Red line represents the track flown & the asset mapped such as a pipeline.
2. In video playback mode, the video plays from any point that you select on the track.
3. As the video plays the cursor indicates the current position being viewed and camera direction.
4. Any still photographs taken or video frames captured are displayed.
5. Any points of interest (POI), recorded with our feature button, are displayed on the map.
BACKGROUND MAPS
We can add any background data to our mapping software.
Below is an example of a topographic map as a background. The purple line replects the survey.
MEDIA MAPPER SERVER
Optional to the asset manager is access to a mapping server which is a network-based centralised publishing, storage, and distribution platform for geo-tagged video & still photographs. Now you can share video and pictures of real world conditions, across your organisation, using a common map based Web interface.
Benefits:
• Geospatial Decision Making
• Allow everyone in the organisation access up-to-date visual information of pipeline assets
• Quickly review conditions at locations and evaluate progress for more informed decisions
Below is an example of what our mapping software looks like.
INTRODUCTION TO OUR MAPPING SOFTWARE
The below video gives you a basic introduction to our mapping software.
Geo-referencing (geo-tagged) means we associate the data/imagery that we capture to its 'actual position' on Earth, namely its latitude & longitude, which allows us to use this data to spatially orient the survey location. (i.e. map it) 
