What is a drone heads up display?

A drone heads-up display (HUD) is software that adds telemetry information to AR/VR/or MR glasses improving situational awareness and real-time data visualisation. This software allows you, the drone pilot, to have access to important flight data directly in your line of sight. With the HUD, you can easily keep track of crucial flight metrics such as altitude, speed, battery level, and GPS position without having to take your eyes off the drone.

The HUD is designed to support multiple glasses such as Meta Quest Pro 3, Microsoft Hololens 2 or Magic Leap 2 with more planned. This means that no matter what type of drone you have, you can still benefit from the added features and functionality of the HUD. It allows you to overlay important flight data onto your drone footage, giving you valuable insights and information about your flight in real-time.

One of the key advantages of using a drone heads-up display is the unlimited situational awareness it provides. By having all the important flight metrics displayed right in front of you, you can make more informed decisions while flying. Whether you’re a professional drone pilot or a hobbyist, this enhanced situational awareness can greatly improve your flying experience and ensure the safety of your drone.

In addition, the HUD offers real-time data visualisation, allowing you to see the telemetry data from your drone in a more visual and intuitive way. This can be particularly useful for analysing flight patterns, identifying areas for improvement, and enhancing your drone piloting skills.

How does a heads up display (HUD) work?

By understanding how a heads-up display (HUD) works, you can fully appreciate the benefits it provides for drone pilots. A HUD for drones is a visual interface that overlays important flight data onto the pilot’s line of sight through the glasses. It takes data from the drone’s GPS and sensors and displays it in real-time, allowing the pilot to keep their eyes on the drone while still being aware of crucial flight metrics. The HUD is compatible with multiple AR glasses brands and data formats, supporting various drone models.

The HUD allows the pilot to have a clear understanding of their altitude, speed, battery level, and spatial position at all times. The telemetry data from the drone can also be retrieved for analysis and enhancement of video data. This feature is beneficial for both professional and hobbyist drone pilots.

Users of AirHUD the worlds first patented heads up display for drones have provided positive feedback on the HUD’s stable software, constant feature updates, and excellent customer support. This ensures that the HUD remains reliable and up-to-date with the latest technologies and functionalities. AirHUDs software also reports on no-fly zones as the pilot is flying the drone, allowing drone pilots to adhere to local regulations and airspace restrictions for responsible drone operations.

Telemetry Data

Telemetry data from the drone can be displayed on the on the heads-up display in realtime. You may also integrate GPS and sensor metrics into what you see as demonstrated above. It supports popular data formats such as DJI, Parrot and more, making it suitable for both professional and hobbyist activities.

Additionally, the software supports easy retrieval of additional metrics. This offers a comprehensive data collection solution for drone pilots. Not only can you access real-time flight data, but you can also analyze and extract detailed information about your flights for further analysis and improvement.

Data Processing

Data processing in drone operations involves the integration of GPS and sensor metrics into 3rd party platforms to analyse flight data and enhance the overall flying experience. By combining GPS data with sensor metrics, such as altitude, speed, and battery level, drone pilots can gain valuable insights into their flights. This integration allows for a comprehensive analysis of flight and crash data, enabling pilots to identify patterns, trends, and potential areas for improvement.

Additionally, in the future, data processing software will offer customisable gauges and presets, allowing pilots to tailor the HUD display to their specific needs and preferences. This level of customisation enhances the usability of the HUD, ensuring that pilots have access to the most relevant flight data at all times.

Display Technology

Heads-Up Displays (HUDs) utilise advanced display technology to provide drone pilots with real-time data in their line of sight whilst allowing them to fly fully BVLOS. This display technology plays a crucial role in enhancing the pilot’s situational awareness and improving their overall flying experience.

One example of display technology used in HUDs is Telemetry Overlay software, which is compatible with types of AR glasses.

The display technology used in HUDs also enables the retrieval of telemetry data from supported formats. This data includes GPS and sensor metrics that can be added to drone footage, providing pilots with valuable information for flight and crash analysis (post flight).

Another notable advancement in display technology for HUDs is AirHUD™, which offers training simulator for professional drone pilots. This augmented reality display provides pilots with both visible and concealed data in real time adding the ability to fly a simulated drone from any location.

Augmented Reality Glasses for Drones

Augmented reality glasses for drones offer a seamless integration of GPS and sensor metrics onto drone footage, enhancing the pilot’s situational awareness in real time. These glasses overlay important flight data in the air around the drone, allowing the pilot to stay focused on the drone while still being aware of crucial flight metrics. Pilots can choose which flight metrics they want to display and how they want them to be presented in the controls.

One of the key benefits of augmented reality glasses for drones is their ability to enable safe flying even beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS). With height indicators displayed on the glasses, pilots can easily keep track of their drone’s altitude, ensuring that they don’t violate any height restrictions or pose a risk to other aircraft. This feature is particularly useful for commercial drone operators who may need to fly in areas with limited visibility.

In addition to their practical benefits, augmented reality glasses for drones also offer a hands-on experience for potential users and clients. Companies often provide demos of these glasses, allowing individuals to try them out and see firsthand how they can enhance the flying experience. This not only helps users understand the capabilities of the glasses but also allows companies to showcase the value and potential of this technology. Follow Anarky Labs for free demo’s of AirHUD™ in various events every year which we keep up to date on our LinkedIn feed.

Overlaying Information

This technology superimposes digital information onto the real-world view, allowing you to see important flight data and warnings without taking your eyes off the drone.

By overlaying important flight metrics onto glasses, pilots can enhance their situational awareness in real time. This overlay of information allows you to keep your eyes on the drone while still having access to crucial flight data. For example, sensor metrics can be overlaid onto glasses, giving you a clear understanding of your drone’s position, altitude, speed, and battery level. This real-time information helps you make informed decisions and ensures that you’re always aware of the drone’s status.

To achieve this overlay, software is available that (with a license) allows you to customise your AR Glasses with telemetry data. This means that you can choose which flight metrics to display and how they’re presented on your glasses. The software supports various brands and data formats, making it compatible with different drones.

In addition to basic flight metrics, you can have specific indicators for things like wind speed, orientation, and distance from obstacles. By having this information overlaid on your AR glasses, you can quickly assess the situation and adjust your flight accordingly.

Customization and control

You have the ability to customise and control the heads-up display (HUD) on your drone to suit your specific needs and preferences. Settings within the software allow you to add or remove the views you see overlaid to your glasses, providing you only the information you need during your flights. The telemetry overlay on the HUD is compatible with brands and offers customisable  presets, allowing you to personalise your display according to your preferences.

As a drone pilot, you can enhance your video output by merging consecutive videos with GPS data post flight. This feature enables you to create a seamless visual representation of your flight path and access additional metrics through AirData CSV files. By customising your HUD, you can have all the information you need right in front of you, without having to divert your attention from the drone.

The HUD provides unlimited situational awareness for professional drone pilots in various scenarios, such as inspection missions and public organisation missions. Its seamless transition between visual line of sight (VLOS) and a virtual interface increases efficiency and reduces the risk of collisions. You can have real-time data on your altitude, speed, battery level, and GPS position, ensuring that you’re always aware of your drone’s status.

Integration with control systems

Integration with control systems enhances the functionality of heads-up displays (HUDs) on drones by allowing replays of flight displays. This integration is made possible through downloadable software that enables easy integration with various drone, AR glasses brands and data formats. With customizable gauges and presets, the control systems integration offers personalized video dashboards, allowing you to have a display that suits your specific needs. The compatibility with different operating systems such as Win 10, 11, 12, macOS, and Linux facilitates seamless integration with control systems, ensuring that you can use the HUD with your preferred setup.

By integrating with control systems, HUDs provide additional telemetry data from supported drone formats, enhancing professional activities. This means that you can access important flight information such as altitude, speed, battery level, and GPS position. Having this information readily available in control centres allows decisions to be made on flight optimisation, maintenance or repair of industrial assets for instance.

The integration with control systems not only enhances the functionality of the HUD but also streamlines the overall flying experience. With GPS and sensor metrics displayed directly on the glasses as you fly, you can send all flight data to one place, eliminating the need to manage multiple data centres.

FPV or First Person View on drones

FPV or First Person View on drones provides drone pilots with a real-time immersive experience, allowing them to see what the drone’s camera sees. It works by transmitting live video feed from the drone to a display, typically goggles or a monitor. This technology is commonly used in drone racing, cinematography, and exploring inaccessible or dangerous areas.

In typical scenarios to enable FPV, the drone must have a compatible camera and video transmitter. The camera captures the footage and sends it wirelessly to the video transmitter, which then broadcasts it to the pilot’s receiver. The receiver, in turn, sends the video feed to the display device, where the pilot can see the live footage.

FPV offers several advantages to drone pilots. Firstly, it provides a sense of flight, as if you were actually sitting in the drone and controlling its movements. This immersive experience allows for more precise control and maneuverability. Secondly, FPV allows pilots to explore areas that are difficult or dangerous to access, such as tall buildings, dense forests, or hazardous terrains. It enables them to navigate through these environments with ease and gather valuable visual information.

Moreover, FPV is widely used in drone racing. Pilots wear goggles that provide a first-person perspective, allowing them to navigate the racecourse at high speeds and make split-second decisions. This adds an adrenaline rush to the racing experience and makes it more exciting for both pilots and spectators.

The benefiits of using AR Glasses over FPV

AR Glasses offer a more advanced and immersive experience compared to traditional FPV technology. With AR Glasses, you can enjoy a heads-up display that provides GPS and sensor metrics for your drone footage. This means that you can see real-time information about your altitude, speed, battery level, and GPS position, all conveniently displayed in your line of sight.

But it doesn’t stop there. AR Glasses also give you the ability to customise gauges and presets for telemetry overlay, allowing you to tailor the display to your specific needs.

One of the great advantages of AR Glasses is their compatibility with multiple drones and data formats. This means that no matter what type of drone you’re flying or what format your data is in, you can still enjoy a seamless experience with AR Glasses.

In addition to their technical capabilities, AR Glasses also offer significant benefits in terms of situational awareness and safety. By having important flight data displayed right in front of your eyes, you can keep your focus on the drone while still being aware of crucial metrics. This can greatly enhance your overall flying experience and help you make safer and more informed decisions while piloting your drone.

AR Glasses can be incredibly useful in various professional scenarios such as inspection missions and public organisations. Whether you’re conducting inspections of infrastructure or assisting in emergency response operations, AR Glasses can provide valuable real-time information and enhance your ability to carry out your tasks effectively.

AR Glasses Meta Quest Pro 3 & AirHUD

With AR Glasses like Meta quest pro 3 and AirHUD, drone pilots can take their immersive flying experience to the next level while maintaining constant situational awareness. These glasses provide unlimited situational awareness for professional drone pilots, allowing them to keep their eyes constantly on the drone, even when flying behind obstacles. AirHUD, in particular, displays both visible and concealed data in real time using augmented reality, enhancing operational efficiency and safety.

One of the key features of Meta quest pro 3 and AirHUD is their ability to display height indicators for safe flights. This is especially important when flying beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS), as it helps pilots maintain a safe altitude and avoid collisions with other objects. The glasses also provide real-time information such as altitude, speed, battery level, and GPS position, giving pilots a comprehensive view of their drone’s flight metrics.

These AR Glasses aren’t only beneficial for recreational drone flying but also for professional purposes. They’ve proven to be invaluable in search and rescue missions, security operations, and defence missions. By providing real-time data and enhancing situational awareness, Meta quest pro 3 and AirHUD enable pilots to make faster and more informed decisions, ultimately improving operational efficiency and safety.

AR Glasses Hololens & AirHUD

To enhance the drone flying experience and provide unlimited situational awareness, the AR Glasses Hololens combined with AirHUD offer a powerful augmented reality solution.

The Hololens is a state-of-the-art pair of AR glasses developed by Microsoft. It allows you to overlay virtual images and information onto the real world, creating a seamless blend of the physical and digital realms. With the Hololens, you can see important flight data and metrics directly in your line of sight, without having to look down at a separate screen or device. This means you can keep your eyes on the drone at all times, while still being aware of crucial information like altitude, speed, and battery level.

AirHUD, on the other hand, is a software application that works in conjunction with the Hololens to provide a comprehensive heads-up display for drone pilots. It supports various camera brands and data formats, allowing you to customize the gauges and presets to suit your specific needs.

AR Glasses Magic Leap & AirHUD

The combination of Magic Leap and AirHUD brings augmented reality display capabilities to drone pilots. With AirHUD, you can maintain constant visual contact with your drone while accessing real-time data. This means you can keep your eyes on the drone and still be aware of crucial flight metrics, such as altitude, speed, battery level, and GPS position.

The seamless integration of GPS technology offered by Magic Leap and AirHUD ensures precise positioning during drone operations, allowing for more accurate and efficient flights.

What sets the AR Glasses Magic Leap and AirHUD apart is their customisable features and functionality. You have the flexibility to personalise your display settings to suit your specific needs and preferences. Whether you’re a professional drone pilot or a hobbyist, AirHUD has been positively received for its ability to enhance situational awareness and safety during drone operations.

Imagine being able to see your drone’s vital information right in front of your eyes, without having to look down at a separate screen or device. Magic Leap and AirHUD make this possible by overlaying the augmented reality display directly onto your field of view. This hands-free experience allows you to focus solely on flying your drone, making your piloting experience more immersive and intuitive.

Summary on using a HUD to improve situational awareness

HUDs are an invaluable tool for drone pilots, enhancing situational awareness and providing real-time data visualisation for effective decision-making. By adding GPS and sensor metrics to drone footage, HUDs allow you to stay informed about crucial flight information while keeping your eyes on the drone. This technology, such as Telemetry Overlay, is compatible with various camera brands and formats, giving you the flexibility to customise gauges and presets according to your preferences.

To improve situational awareness, HUDs utilise supported data formats and retrieve AirData CSV files to add GPS and sensor data to your drone videos. This integration of information offers unlimited situational awareness, allowing you to make informed decisions based on real-time data visualisation. With the ability to monitor altitude, speed, battery level, and GPS position at a glance, you can fly your drone with confidence and efficiency.

However, it’s important to remember that situational awareness goes beyond just the data provided by the HUD. As a responsible drone pilot, you must also respect no-fly zones to avoid legal consequences, potential accidents, and collisions. By adhering to these restrictions, you can ensure the safety of both your drone and the people around you.

Heads-Up Displays for drone pilots are the future

So there you have it, fellow drone pilots. With a heads-up display (HUD), you can soar through the skies with ease and confidence. No longer will you have to divert your attention from your drone to check vital flight information.

The HUD revolutionises the way we pilot drones, providing real-time data right in our line of sight. It’s like having a personal co-pilot by your side, guiding you every step of the way.

So strap on your HUD and let your drone adventures take flight! Fly high and stay informed!