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How-To Guides

Continuing Multi-Session Missions​

Problem: You want to continue tracking without landing the drone between sessions.

Solution:

  1. Comment out the takeoff line in controller.py:
# drone.piloting.takeoff()
  1. Save the file
  2. Run ./launch.sh to start the new mission segment

Customizing Flight Behavior for Different Species​

Problem: Different animals require different tracking approaches and flight patterns.

Adjustments in navigation.py:

  • Large, slow animals (elephants, giraffes): Increase x_dist_no_subject for wider search patterns
  • Fast-moving herds (zebras, wildebeest): Reduce x_dist, y_dist for tighter tracking
  • Species or group sensitive to noise: Increase z_dist for higher altitude operation

Weather Considerations:

  • Windy conditions: Reduce all distance parameters by 20-30%
  • Poor visibility: Decrease DURATION for shorter, more manageable sessions

Analyzing Mission Data​

Problem: You have collected mission data and need to extract behavioral insights.

Steps:

  1. Navigate to mission folder: /missions/mission_record_YYYYMMDD_HHMMSS/
  2. Use the provided data analysis notebook for telemetry analysis
  3. For behavior labeling, process video files with KABR tools
  4. Cross-reference YOLO detection outputs with video timestamps

Troubleshooting:

  • No video stream: Check VLC network URL and drone connection
  • Poor tracking: Verify lighting conditions and adjust YOLO confidence thresholds
  • Connection issues: Restart controller connection and check USB cables