Why Ascend uses Smart Oblique data capture

What is Smart Oblique Capture

“Smart Oblique Capture” is a mode offered by DJI (with the Zenmuse P1 payload on M300 RTK drones) that automates capturing both nadir (straight down) and oblique (angled) images in a single mission, but with smarter control over how many angles per section of the survey area, based on what’s needed. DJI+3DJI Enterprise Insights+3DJI+3

Key features:

• Divides the mapped area into sections; central areas get full coverage (five angles: nadir + front/back/left/right), edge areas fewer angles. DJI Enterprise Insights+2Heliguy™+2
• Embeds metadata (drone position, gimbal direction, speed, etc.) so that even though oblique shots are not simultaneous, the post-processing software can align and correct for orientation, perspective, and shifts. DJI Enterprise Insights+1
• Reduces redundant photos taken, especially along edges/areas that don’t contribute much extra information. DJI Enterprise Insights+2Heliguy™+2
• Allows lens swapping (24, 35, 50mm) for project-specific needs. DJI Enterprise Insights+2Halo Robotics+2

Why it’s “Superior” for Many Surveying / 3D Modelling Tasks

Here are the major advantages in practice:

AdvantageWhat that means practicallyEfficiency in flight timeFewer flights needed because you capture oblique + nadir in one mission. This means less battery swapping, less set-up/tear-down time. Heliguy™+2DJI Enterprise Insights+2Reduced number of images / data volumeLess redundancy, fewer edge shots that don’t add much, so faster post-processing and less data storage burden. Heliguy™+2DJI Enterprise Insights+2Improved detail for 3D modellingOblique views capture vertical surfaces, building facades, edges, overhangs, etc., which nadir imagery can’t show well. This improves model completeness, reduces occlusions. DJI Enterprise Insights+2Heliguy™+2Better height / elevation informationAngled images help better define the height and shape of objects, more accurate 3D reconstruction. DJI Enterprise Insights+1Flexibility & customizationDepending on the mission, you might want more oblique detail (e.g. in built environments) or more nadir shots (for large terrain). The SOC mode lets you adjust per section. Also lens choice helps. Halo Robotics+1Cost savingsLess flight time, less manpower, less time in post, less risk of inferior data (so less need for re-flights). For companies doing many jobs, the savings add up.

The flip side is that in certain edge cases, for example very constrained spaces, you might prefer even more oblique directions or closer, denser flights — in those cases SOC might have limitations. But for many commercial/industrial mapping and surveying tasks, SOC gives a strong balance.

How It Works (Key Technical Points / Innovations)

• The drone plan (flight path) is broken into sections, which determine how many angles are captured in that section. DJI+1
• Camera tilt is adjusted (-45° to -90° depending on angle) to capture oblique views. DJI+1
• Edge regions of the mapping polygon get fewer oblique shots (because perspective distortion / overlap issues make those less useful) — this reduces unnecessary image capture. DJI+2Heliguy™+2
• Variable flight speed depending on section. In some sections where many angles are needed/slower, flight might slow to ensure image overlap; in simpler sections faster. DJI+1
• The metadata (GNSS, gimbal orientation, etc.) is stored in time-synced fashion so post processing can align everything properly. DJI+1

Why Ascend Aerial Data Uses It (Why It Makes Sense for a Company Focused on Accuracy & Efficiency)

Based on what’s known about Ascend Aerial Data (from their site and what they advertise) plus what SOC offers, here’s why it’s a fit:

• High accuracy / precision goals: Ascend Aerial Data claims “unmatched accuracy in the centimeter range”. To deliver that, you need high quality images, strong overlap, good perspectives of surfaces, vertical detail, etc. SOC helps deliver those. Ascend Aerial Data
• Efficiency: They do many commercial missions (thousands) over large and varied terrain. Lowering flight time, less data to process, less risk of re-flight because of missing oblique detail, all save costs. Their business model depends on being accurate and efficient. Ascend Aerial Data+1
• Diverse applications: They serve construction monitoring, precision agriculture, solar inspections, real estate, etc. Different missions require different data: for example, in construction you need structure detail; in agriculture maybe mostly nadir, but adding obliques helps terrain / elevation / edges. SOC’s flexibility allows them to optimize per job. Ascend Aerial Data+1
• Client expectations / competition: Clients in sectors like infrastructure, energy, real estate expect high-fidelity 3D models, accurate orthomosaics, reliable outputs. Using state-of-the-art tools like Smart Oblique gives Ascend a competitive edge in marketing and delivering reliable data.
• Reduced post processing overhead: Less useless imagery, cleaner datasets, less time spent filtering or stitching bad data. Also fewer re-flights. That reduces cost and turnaround time — important for maintaining margins and delivering quickly.

Things to Watch For / Limitations

To be fair, there are trade-offs, and it's not perfect for every situation:

• In very tight urban areas or where obstacles are very close, sometimes the drone needs to “stand off” further to safely get oblique shots, which can reduce detail or require more careful flight planning. Heliguy™+1
• Oblique images tend to have more distortion and require more computational power in post processing. Good software and calibration are essential.
• Battery constraints can still limit coverage if many angles are required, especially for large sites.
• Terrain variation: maintaining consistent ground sampling distance (GSD) across varied topography is harder when angles change.

Summary: Why Smart Oblique + Ascend Aerial Data = Good Match

Putting it all together:

• DJI’s Smart Oblique offers a middle ground between “very simple nadir flights” and “full multi-camera oblique rigs” — getting many benefits of oblique without enormous weight, cost, or complexity.
• For a company like Ascend Aerial Data, doing many missions, needing high fidelity, needing to optimize cost/time, SOC helps them deliver better models faster, at scale.
• It supports a variety of use-cases: 3D modeling, topographic mapping, structure inspection, orthomosaics, elevation models, etc.