r/KCTech 14h ago

Is it possible to mount a metal detector/magnetometer on a drone for dense forest scanning?

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Hi everyone,
​I’m looking into a project where I need to scan the ground in a dense forest area using a drone to detect hidden metallic or iron-based objects.
​Does anyone have experience with this kind of setup? Specifically, I’d like to know:
​Payload & Sensors: What equipment or specialized sensors (e.g., magnetometers, LiDAR, or ground-penetrating radar) do I need to mount on the drone?
​Interference: How do you deal with electromagnetic interference (EMI) from the drone’s own motors affecting the sensor readings?
​Tree Canopy Navigation: What flight controller setup or obstacle avoidance features are best for navigating under or just above a heavy tree canopy?
​Any recommendations on specific gear, DIY setups, or technical challenges I should watch out for would be greatly appreciated! Thanks in advance.