Using a panoramic camera to collect spatial data

This guide aims to introduce how to use a panoramic camera (currently supporting GoPro Max) to collect environmental data required by Mega at the collection site. The quality of the collected data directly affects the usability of the data and the performance of Mega's positioning. Please ensure you read carefully the content of this document before collection.

Preparation work

• Read the Mega User Guide.

• Complete route planning by referring to Route Planning.

• Set up the parameters of the panoramic camera according to GoPro Configuration.

• Check against the Checklist to ensure everything meets the requirements.

Note

Currently, Mega panoramic camera capture only supports GoPro Max cameras and does not support GoPro Max 2 or other brands of panoramic cameras.

Start capturing

Important

Before starting the capture, please ensure that you have checked the panoramic camera settings according to the checklist content and reconfirmed the planned capture route.

• Confirm the environment meets requirements

  • Avoid capturing when there are many people around.

  • Avoid capturing during times of intense lighting (e.g., midday on sunny days).

  • Avoid capturing on rainy, snowy, or foggy days.

• Power on and prepare

  • Remove the lens cover and power on the GoPro Max camera.

  • Securely mount the camera on the selfie stick, with the screen side facing you.

  • Ensure there are nearby objects such as buildings or statues within 3 meters of the starting point. Avoid starting the capture in the middle of a large square.

  • If the capture route includes outdoor areas, first power on the camera in an open outdoor space and wait for more than 2 minutes in standby mode before moving to the starting point to begin capturing.

• Start capturing

  • Hold the panoramic camera about 20 cm above your head—not too high or too low—and keep the selfie stick vertical.

  • Press the start recording button or use the GoPro Quik app to control the camera and begin recording.

  • At the starting point, move horizontally for more than 2 meters while facing a nearby building or wall with rich textures.

During the collection process

• Hold the selfie stick firmly throughout the collection process and try to keep the camera stable.

• Walking speed should not exceed 1m/s, avoid rapid movement, and do not run, cycle, or collect while in a vehicle.

• When encountering turns or U-turns, reduce turning speed to avoid rapid rotation.

• Be mindful of obstacles and avoid them. Indoors, pay attention to ceiling height to prevent bumping or brushing the camera.

Important

Panoramic data collection is different from ordinary video recording. Follow the collection guidelines strictly; otherwise, even if the video is complete, the final data may still be unusable, requiring re-collection.

End the capture

• After completing the capture, stop recording by pressing the shutter button or via the GoPro Quik app, and wait for storage complete.

• Verify that the video duration saved by the camera matches the actual capture duration.

Avoid invalid captured data

Non-standard capture may result in invalid data, i.e., captured data is unusable. Common causes include the following. Please try to avoid them, and if encountered, recapture the data.

• ❌ Forgetting to remove the lens cover, including transparent protective covers.

• ❌ Abnormally stopping the capture, such as the camera running out of battery, the memory card running out of storage space, or the camera overheating and shutting down automatically.

• ❌ The camera being bumped during capture, such as hitting door frames or beams.

• ❌ The camera falling or slipping off the selfie stick during capture.

• ❌ Capturing while riding elevators, cable cars, bicycles, or boats in motion, or capturing while holding an umbrella.

• ❌ Removing the camera during capture to wipe the lens.

• ❌ The selfie stick not being kept vertical during capture, leaning against the body.

Frequently asked questions

• Detailed capture of key objects/areas

  If you need to capture large sculptures or objects and generate relatively detailed models, circle the object multiple times from far to near.

• Encountering road construction/blockages

  The recommended solution is to replan the route and recapture. In special cases, turn back at the blocked area and continue along another route.

• The route has ticket gates or one-way exits, making continuous capture impossible

  The recommended solution is to replan the route and recapture, separating the inside and outside areas.

Next steps

After completing the panoramic data collection,

• Please refer to the Panoramic camera data export guide to export your collected data.

You may also need to know:

• The collection range is large, refer to the Large-scale collection guide.
• Collect EIF data on-site simultaneously for testing, please follow the EIF debugging data collection.