# OpenFlyScan: A Quality-Guided Aerial Reconstruction System for Consumer Drones

arXiv: https://arxiv.org/abs/2609.24253 · HTML: https://mlsanity.com/paper/2609.24253/

## Key facts

- No citing papers in the map yet (data through 14 Oct 2026).
- Builds on 21 of its 33 references that are in the map.
- First posted on arXiv 21 Sep 2026.

## Builds on (most cited first, 21 of 21)

- [DINOv2: Learning Robust Visual Features without Supervision](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2304.07193/) (2023)
- [3D Gaussian Splatting for Real-Time Radiance Field Rendering](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2308.04079/) (2023)
- [VGGT: Visual Geometry Grounded Transformer](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2503.11651/) (2025)
- [AirSim: High-Fidelity Visual and Physical Simulation for Autonomous Vehicles](https://mlsanity.com/paper/1705.05065/) (2017)
- [π3: Permutation-Equivariant Visual Geometry Learning](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2507.13347/) (2025)
- [A Hierarchical 3D Gaussian Representation for Real-Time Rendering of Very Large Datasets](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2406.12080/) (2024)
- [Capturing, Reconstructing, and Simulating: the UrbanScene3D Dataset](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2107.04286/) (2021)
- [Detector-Free Structure from Motion](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2306.15669/) (2023)
- [CityGaussianV2: Efficient and Geometrically Accurate Reconstruction for Large-Scale Scenes](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2411.00771/) (2024)
- [Openfly: A comprehensive platform for aerial vision-language navigation](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2502.18041/) (2025)
- [ActiveGS: Active Scene Reconstruction Using Gaussian Splatting](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2412.17769/) (2024)
- [GauU-Scene V2: Assessing the Reliability of Image-Based Metrics with Expansive Lidar Image Dataset Using 3DGS and NeRF](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2404.04880/) (2024)
- [MACARONS: Mapping And Coverage Anticipation with RGB Online Self-Supervision](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2303.03315/) (2023)
- [SCONE: Surface Coverage Optimization in Unknown Environments by Volumetric Integration](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2208.10449/) (2022)
- [Gaussian Splatting to Real World Flight Navigation Transfer with Liquid Networks](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2406.15149/) (2024)
- [Learning Reconstructability for Drone Aerial Path Planning](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2209.10174/) (2022)
- [UAV-based Autonomous Image Acquisition with Multi-View Stereo Quality Assurance by Confidence Prediction](https://mlsanity.com/paper/1605.01923/) (2016)
- [Auto3R: Automated 3D Reconstruction and Scanning via Data-driven Uncertainty Quantification](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2512.04528/) (2025)
- [UAVFF3D: A Geometry-Aware Benchmark for Feed-Forward UAV 3D Reconstruction](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2605.17942/) (2026)
- [On-the-fly Feedback SfM: Online Explore-and-Exploit UAV Photogrammetry with Incremental Mesh Quality-Aware Indicator and Predictive Path Planning](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2512.02375/) (2025)
- [GeoFF3D: Coordinate-Anchored Feed-Forward Reconstruction for Large-Scale UAV Mapping](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2608.28288/) (2026)

## Abstract (arXiv)

3D Gaussian Splatting (3DGS) provides high-fidelity scenes for large-scale embodied simulation, but constructing large-scale urban assets remains constrained by expensive equipment and delayed quality feedback. Preset surveys can leave complex surfaces insufficiently observed, with defects discovered only after reconstruction, requiring return visits and repeated processing. We present OpenFlyScan, a quality-guided aerial reconstruction system for consumer drones that integrates a GS quality model, a reacquisition planner, and a custom-designed mobile app. The model learns from GS rendering errors to predict regional reconstruction quality. Based on these predictions, the planner then generates complementary reacquisition strips to be executed through the app, which also supports automated oblique surveys and data transfer without additional hardware on board. Across real aerial scenes, the model effectively identifies regions that are likely to be poorly reconstructed. In the Expo West field experiment, targeted reacquisition improves PSNR at additional views by 10.95 dB. With consumer drones, OpenFlyScan integrates capture, targeted reacquisition, and reconstruction to support rapid, low-cost urban asset creation. Code and models will be made publicly available at https://openflyscan.github.io/.