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DJI Matrice 400 Maps 3,000 Years Of Hidden Archaeology In Two Weeks
- by Megan Wood
What once took six months now takes two weeks. Here's how the DJI Matrice 400, fitted with the Zenmuse L3 LiDAR sensor, revealed a hidden landscape in central Mexico.
The challenge
Beneath the hills of Sierra Morelos Park in central Mexico are 16 archaeological sites, around 730 hectares of ancient terraces and more than 3,000 years of human occupation. Dense vegetation made large-scale survey almost impossible. Traditional methods, such as GPS, tape measures and compass traverses, were slow and needed months of processing.
The DJI Matrice 400 in action
Working with the Cerro Toloche Archaeological Project and the Autonomous University of the State of Mexico (UAEMéx), a drone services team flew the Matrice 400 with the Zenmuse L3 across 340 hectares of the park, combining LiDAR and photogrammetry. LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) fires laser pulses through gaps in the vegetation, so it can map the ground and structures hidden underneath.
The results:
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1.1 billion georeferenced points
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A point cloud of 236 points/m² with centimetre-level accuracy
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Processed in DJI Terra and classified in DJI Modify
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Delivered in under two weeks
Why the Matrice 400 suits large survey jobs
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Up to 59 minutes of flight time, so you cover more ground per battery
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Up to 6 kg payload capacity for heavy sensors like the Zenmuse L3
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IP55 protection and a -20°C to 50°C operating range for tough conditions
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O4 Enterprise transmission for a stable link across large sites
What it means for you
The same workflow works for UK topographic surveys on overgrown sites, utility and rail corridors, and heritage recording. You get fewer days on site, faster turnaround and richer data.
FAQs
What LiDAR sensor works with the DJI Matrice 400?
The Zenmuse L3 is DJI's LiDAR payload for the Matrice 400.
How long can the DJI Matrice 400 fly?
Up to 59 minutes maximum flight time.
Can drone LiDAR map under trees?
Yes. LiDAR captures the ground through gaps in the canopy, which reveals the terrain underneath.
See what the DJI Matrice 400 could do for your projects.
