What The XT2 Can Do For You

Overview

Taken from DJI’s Website, the Zenmuse XT2 is a side by side visual and thermal sensor that allows us to pick up thermal energy emitted from a surface. Depicted in Figure 1, this camera is compatible with the DJI Matrice 200 and 300 series and offers a plethora of capabilities including live heat tracking, temperature alarm, isotherm measurements, etc..., 

Figure 1: Diagram of XT2 Sensor by DJI 

How XT2 Video Offers Value to Inspections

 In the case of bridge deck inspections, side by side visual and thermal video can be extremely useful in gathering preliminary data about the condition of a bridge deck. If you click on Figure 2, you will be directed to a YouTube Video I captured which shows the video recorded from the XT2 looking straight down at the bridge deck. Credit to USI Consultants for allowing me to share this video. 

Figure 2: Link to Example Video 

Why is Properly Formatted XT2 Video Important? 

For the sake of not giving away all our secrets, I will answer this question vaguely. Overall, videos created in this format allow us to see EXPLOIT INVISIBLE DEFFICINCIES quickly. Is this the most perfect accurate way to assess a bridge deck condition, no because there is so much more that can be analyzed from Radiometric JPEGs that can be captured by the XT2. However, for a 10-minute flight, video from the XT2 significantly reduces fieldwork. 

Are There Cons to Recordings Taken from the XT2?

Yes, since the XT2 is two cameras in 1 sensor, the frame rate and the frame sizes need to be scaled and trimmed with fairly expensive video editing software. This limitation can be addressed with a solid QC/QA program and thermography training.  Thermography training is also vital to the mission planning and further data analysis which can be done with additional UAS software that I will not go into detail in this post. 

Conclusion

Knowing how to use the XT2 and the thermography software needed to edit and, understand and in some cases interpret deficiencies is vital to successful bridge deck inspections. If you have any questions about our workflow we would be happy to share with you more information. Please reach out to USI Consultants by clicking on Figure 3 below. 

Figure 3: Link to USI Consultants Website