Event 38 and PLACE Partner to Map Turks and Caicos Islands Using E400 Drones

by DRONELIFE Staff Writer Ian M. Crosby

Mapping drone manufacturer Event 38 Unmanned Systems has announced the successful deployment of its E400 fixed-wing mapping drone for the collection of aerial imagery and mapping data in Turks and Caicos, which had not been mapped in at least ten years. In only a number of days, the drone gathered sufficient data to produce orthomosaics of the entirety of both islands, totaling 238 square kilometers. The project was conducted by PLACE, a global non-profit organization granting access to mapping data by providing hyperlocal and precise optical imagery.

“It can be difficult and expensive to get an airplane into the geographies where we work. Satellite imagery is quite complicated to order and process the data, and many of these geographies have intense cloud cover, which can disturb the imagery,” said PLACE founder Peter Rabley. “Some countries dislike the fact that they have to pay an external satellite company for one-time use of their mapping data and can’t create derived works without paying more for a new license.”

“PLACE was looking for a fixed-wing, VTOL drone with a long flight time that could map large areas and capture high-resolution imagery,” said Event 38 founder and CEO Jeff Taylor. “The E400 fulfilled all of their requirements, including an industry-leading flight time of ninety minutes, plus vertical takeoff and landing capabilities. We were also intentional about making the E400 as user-friendly as possible, including a hot-swap payload, a low maintenance electric powertrain, and open-source integrations, so we could remove any barriers to entry that might prevent someone from using it for important surveying and data collection projects.”

“The E400 is a complete game changer in terms of democratizing mapping for African countries and small island states,” said Rabley. “It’s very manageable in terms of operations and maintenance and has a lower threshold for human resource capabilities.”

PLACE conducted its first mapping project utilizing the E400  in Turks and Caicos, a Caribbean archipelagic island nation. The islands’ outdated mapping data and existing satellite data was insufficient for local applications such as hurricane preparedness and mitigation. The Event 38 team provided PLACE with training in the use and maintenance of the drone, which was used to map the entirety of the two islands.

In only two days after the team finished gathering aerial imagery, they were able to produce highly detailed orthomosaics. With the E400, the Turks and Caicos government received access to data with sufficient accuracy and resolution to initiate several crucial projects, such as a major upgrade to their property tax system and improved climate mitigation modeling and planning. This data is currently being leveraged for the upcoming Census and other important activities.

Its mission leveraging the E400 in Turks and Caicos is the first of many for PLACE, which has already purchased two additional models. Access to updated mapping data is essential for locations with rapidly-increasing populations and cities, especially for those at risk from climate change. Current and accurate data enables governments to move forward with the development of public services and structures, including climate mitigation, upgraded sewer systems, improved mobility, and health services.

“Based on what we learned during our time in Turks and Caicos with PLACE, we’re making a lot of exciting modifications to both the E400 and the workflow to make the entire platform better suited to remote locations, where there may be limited cell service, repair facilities, and accessible weather data,” said Taylor. “We’ve already invested in a lighter carrying case and an ADS-B transponder and improved the image geotagging workflow for large missions, and further upgrades are in the works.”

“At PLACE, our goal is to democratize and localize data collection, and the E400 makes that much more affordable,” said Rabley. “The data is immediate and owned by the government, so there are no licensing or use restrictions.”

“Event 38 is incredibly proud to be supporting PLACE’s important work and mission,” added Taylor. “We look forward to seeing what our other clients do with the E400.”

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Ian attended Dominican University of California, where he received a BA in English in 2019. With a lifelong passion for writing and storytelling and a keen interest in technology, he is now contributing to DroneLife as a staff writer.