How Atay Are Preserving Cappadocia With DJI Matrice 400

Cappadocia's landscapes are etched with history: volcanic rock formations, centuries-old cave dwellings and underground sanctuaries. But as erosion and tourism accelerate, so does the urgency to digitally archive these wonders. At the centre of this next generation conservation effort stands the DJI Matrice 400 drone.

Atay's Mission: From Geospatial Precision to Cultural Preservation

Hürcan Atay, CEO of Atay, leads the initiative. With over 30 years in geospatial solutions, his company took on the challenge of mapping Cappadocia's irregular topography. The goal: develop innovative workflows to digitally preserve a region famed for its geological complexity and cultural importance.

Traditional drone missions struggled with Cappadocia's steep cliffs, narrow pathways and varied elevation. GPS dropouts, light constraints and the sheer inaccessibility of vertical or recessed features limited the accuracy and scope of previous mapping efforts.

DJI Matrice 400: Aerial Performance Redefined

Enter the Matrice 400. With a 59 minute flight time, exceptional for a drone of its class, the M400 enabled Atay’s team to map vast sections in single, uninterrupted missions. Smart flight planning ensured the drone could adjust to real time terrain changes, maintaining stable positioning even in tight valleys and confined corridors.

Vertical faces, overhangs, undercut cliffs and recessed geological textures, all of which standard grid missions typically miss, were successfully captured. This is thanks to a combination of advanced radar, LiDAR sensors, and DJI’s robust obstacle avoidance system that delivers safety and agility across hazardous terrain.

Smarter Capture, Superior Models

Five direction oblique photography, terrain following flight, and Smart 3D Capture were all leveraged to match the region’s micro topography. These functions optimised camera tilt and altitude automatically, drastically reducing the need for manual reflights and improving model accuracy.

The slope flight route function maintained constant altitude across rugged landscapes, while real time 3D reconstruction capabilities allowed the team to visualise and validate data mid flight.

DJI Terra and Modify: From Flight to Final Output

Imagery from the M400 was processed using DJI Terra, Atay’s primary photogrammetry software. The team generated 2D orthophotos, 3D textured meshes and point clouds, which were exported in standard formats. These outputs were then shared and collaboratively evaluated in real time using DJI Modify, enabling efficient team wide review and planning.

The seamless pipeline from capture to collaboration made the mapping process faster, safer and more accurate. What previously required multiple sorties and manual adjustments was now consolidated into a streamlined digital workflow.

Beyond Preservation: The Future of Cultural Mapping

The Matrice 400 did not just offer operational gains, it redefined what is possible in drone led heritage documentation. Flight automation, real time 3D modelling, and potential integration with mixed reality platforms are unlocking new ways to document, experience and protect cultural sites.

These innovations make digital preservation more cost effective, less intrusive and significantly more scalable: essential criteria for safeguarding other global heritage locations.

A Blueprint for Global Cultural Conservation

With the new DJI Matrice 400, Cappadocia's intricate terrain has been captured in unprecedented detail. From confined valleys to towering formations, every texture and contour has been digitally immortalised.

This is not just a technological achievement; it is a conservation milestone. The success of the Cappadocia project lays the groundwork for a new, globally replicable model of heritage mapping.