Open Source Geospatial Data Management Done Right

When it comes to managing aerial data assets, DroneDB is not the first platform to enter the scene. Numerous projects have tackled this challenge, yet none have truly checked all the boxes for flexibility, simplicity, and accessibility. DroneDB was born out of the desire to create a solution that satisfies the following wishlist:

• Free and Open Source: Beyond open data, DroneDB offers a completely open-source platform that you can customize and build upon.
• Vendor-Agnostic: Run DroneDB anywhere—from a Raspberry Pi to a multi-computer cloud cluster. No proprietary lock-ins.
• Offline-First: Operate DroneDB entirely offline, syncing with a remote network only when needed.
• Structure-Free: Organize data in a way that suits your workflow or organization without enforced structures.

Unlike its predecessors, DroneDB achieves all of these goals while maintaining an intuitive and modern approach to aerial data management.

The DroneDB Core: A Simple Yet Powerful Design

At the heart of DroneDB is a concept that prioritizes simplicity and adaptability: the DroneDB database (or dataset). A dataset is essentially a standard folder containing your files and folders, enhanced with a lightweight index.

Key Features of the DroneDB Core

1. Straightforward Initialization:
   • Start a new dataset with the command ddb init.
   • Add or remove files and folders to the index using ddb add or ddb rm.
2. Intelligent Metadata Management:
   • When aerial data files like images, orthophotos, panoramas, textured models, or point clouds are added to the index, DroneDB extracts and stores critical metadata such as geolocation, flight paths, timestamps, and footprints.
   • Intermediate files can be generated as needed—for example, creating an efficient EPT dataset for streaming point clouds or preparing textured OBJ meshes for network distribution with the ddb build command.
3. Flexible Metadata Annotation:
   • You can add custom metadata to any file or directory within a dataset.
   • DroneDB supports syncing these updates with a server using a simple ddb push command.
4. Offline and Effortless Synchronization:
   • Clone datasets, work offline, and sync changes seamlessly. Your workflow is uninterrupted, even in low-connectivity environments.
5. Transparent Data Structures:
   • DroneDB avoids complex, hidden layers or rigid structures. All indexes are stored in a .ddb folder within the dataset root. To remove DroneDB, simply delete the .ddb folder, your data remains intact.
6. Unique Resource Identification:
   • Each resource in DroneDB is uniquely identified using a URI format:
     ddb://[server:port]/organization/dataset/[path]

DroneDB in Action: A Solution for Every Need

Whether you’re a surveyor, drone operator, or enterprise user, DroneDB empowers you with tools to manage, visualize, and share data effortlessly. With its open-source foundation, you have complete control to adapt the platform to your specific requirements.

Here’s how DroneDB stands out:

• Efficient Data Streaming: Handle massive datasets, like point clouds and meshes, with optimized formats for streaming across networks.
• Customizable Workflows: Organize your datasets in a way that makes sense to you, no rigid hierarchies to follow.
• Scalable: From offline setups on a Raspberry Pi to cloud-scale deployments, DroneDB fits every scenario.

Browse our example datasets!

Build the Future of Geospatial Data with DroneDB

DroneDB isn’t just another aerial data management tool: it’s a leap forward. By combining open-source flexibility, offline-first capabilities, and intuitive design, DroneDB offers a modern, robust platform for anyone working with geospatial data.

Whether you’re managing drone imagery, processing 3D models, or streaming massive point clouds, DroneDB delivers the power, simplicity, and adaptability you need.

Visit DroneDB today to explore how this open-source platform is revolutionizing aerial data management.
Join the community and start managing your geospatial data the right way.