Obstacle Detection

[skipper20]

When descending, will the Spark detect a very thin object underneath such as an electrical utility power wire? The reason I ask is that I was test flying my Spark at the side of my house today and when descending, I accidentally hit an overhead wire. I had the prop guards on, the Spark bounced and wobbled a bit but recovered nicely and made a safe landing. I suspect that without the guards on, one or more of the props would have been damaged and the drone would have crashed. Anyway, is Obstacle Detection designed to avoid wires or is it only for larger, bulkier objects? If it is designed to avoid a skinny object like a wire, what did I do wrong? TIA, Bill in Seattle

 

[Spark 317]

The wires are too small for detction by the infrared sensor.

It's working fine.

I fly with guards on as well for the little bumps and it makes the Spark easier to see.

 

[msinger]

When descending, will the Spark detect a very thin object underneath such as an electrical utility power wire?

No. The Spark is only able to detect obstacles that are in front of the aircraft. And even when the obstacles are in front of the Spark, you shouldn't count on it being able to detect small objects like thin wires or small tree branches.

Here some more information from the Spark manual:

 

[McCloudSpark]

When descending, will the Spark detect a very thin object underneath such as an electrical utility power wire? The reason I ask is that I was test flying my Spark at the side of my house today and when descending, I accidentally hit an overhead wire. I had the prop guards on, the Spark bounced and wobbled a bit but recovered nicely and made a safe landing. I suspect that without the guards on, one or more of the props would have been damaged and the drone would have crashed. Anyway, is Obstacle Detection designed to avoid wires or is it only for larger, bulkier objects? If it is designed to avoid a skinny object like a wire, what did I do wrong? TIA, Bill in Seattle

Downward sensors are only used for landing.

 

[Paul215]

You need a bigger surface then a wire. Even fences and bushes (without leaves) can be a problem to detect.

 

[Dave Canada]

the spaek avpidance is not at all as good as the mavic my spark hit a dry limb of a tree and when i sent the mavic on the same mission it sensed it hovered abit and then went up and over thats how i found the spark but any of them will hit wire