UAV LiDAR

LiDAR (short for Light Detection and Ranging) is a remote sensing and mapping technology. While LiDAR has been available in New Zealand for some time, Fox and Associates are committed to being leaders in UAV LiDAR by investing in the very latest technology.

Our UAV LiDAR fires outbursts of laser pulses from the air towards the ground to collect measurements that are used to create 3D models and maps of objects and environments. However, what makes our UAV LiDAR technology different is that the laser pulses can penetrate through foliage to give accurate detail about the landscape, ground surface and ground condition underneath

This provides vital information for people who need to model the ground for design purposes; whether that’s mapping flood risk, monitoring coastal erosion, assessing carbon stocks in forests or designing structures and landscapes for tree-covered sites.

The LiDAR data can also be used in the form of a point cloud to map structures, features and objects such as buildings, bridges, roading and infrastructure in pinpoint 3-dimensional detail.

A key benefit of our UAV LiDAR is that we can cover large or difficult to access areas very quickly. LiDAR collects hundreds of thousands of data points every second, large or complex jobs can often be completed in a short space of time.

With our new RPAS (Remote Piloted Aerial Systems) UAV and Part 102 CAA Operator certification, we can map sites up to 25 square kilometres in perfect detail of plus or minus 30 millimetres, depending on the level of accuracy required.

What does LiDAR stand for?
LiDAR stands for Light Detection and Ranging. It is a technology that’s applied to create high-precision, high-accuracy 3D topographic models of the environment.

How Does LiDAR Technology Work?
Aerial LiDAR technology uses the pulse from a laser to collect measurements and provide geospatial data about the surface. The measurements are then used to create a LiDAR point cloud, which is used to make 3D models and maps of objects, environments and large areas.

UAV LiDAR Systems Explained
UAV stands for Unmanned Aerial Vehicle. UAV airborne LiDAR technology is therefore controlled from the ground to carry out 3D mapping operations. Survey-grade UAV LiDAR solutions make it convenient to design accurate terrain models. An added upside to using laser scanners and the LiDAR sensor is that they are able to penetrate through dense vegetation.

Ground Control Points in UAV LiDAR Surveys
It’s important to have confidence in the accuracy of UAV LiDAR mapping projects when producing high-resolution models of the environment. That’s where Ground Control Points come in. These are used to increase accuracy and precision as well as assisting with sensor calibration when carrying out UAV LiDAR surveys.

Potential Use Cases Of UAV LiDAR Solutions
LiDAR mobile mapping systems can be used for several purposes:

• Enable corridor mapping operations by creating detailed plans for roads, railways, power lines and pipeline construction.
• Create accurate terrain models to assess the risk of flooding.
• Allow for the close monitoring of coastal erosion in real-time.
• Create maps for surveyors for construction, design and engineering purposes.