LiDAR

LiDAR drone technology has revolutionised the way aerial mapping and surveying are conducted, especially when combined with the capabilities of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). LiDAR drone services offer a powerful solution for gathering high-resolution data over large areas in a short amount of time.

LiDAR scanning, is a remote sensing technology that uses laser pulses to measure distances and create high-resolution 3D maps of objects and environments. LiDAR systems emit laser beams towards a target and measure the time it takes for the beam to bounce back, creating precise distance measurements.

The benefits of drone LiDAR services include rapid data acquisition, allowing for efficient collection of large-scale data over expansive areas. This saves valuable time and resources compared to traditional surveying methods.

Drone LiDAR scanners are versatile and cater to a wide range of industries including surveying construction sites, monitoring vegetation health, assessing forestry, conducting environmental monitoring, or inspecting infrastructure.

  • Drone LiDAR surveys result in high density, colourised pointclouds accurate to up to +/- 50mm

  • LiDAR points classified as ground are used to generate the digital terrain model, also known as ‘bare-earth’

  • A TIN or surface derived from the LiDAR classified ground points

  • A TIN or surface created from all or a selection of LiDAR points, for example a surface representing a vegetation canopy

  • The LiDAR pointcloud can be classified into classes such as power poles, conductors, buildings, high and low vegetation which allows easier manipulation and analysis

  • 2D and 3D datasets captured from the LiDAR pointcloud, such as breaklines, vegetation driplines, building outlines can be further utilised in 2D or 3D software, including GIS

Industries

  • LiDAR Agriculture Forestry

    Agriculture & Forestry

    • High resolution RGB orthophotography for asset management and harvest planning

    • DTM for harvest road and haul planning

    • Biomass calculation

    • Repeat surveys for monitoring vegetation growth

  • LiDAR Environmental

    Environmental

    • Project-specific flights covering complex landscapes

    • Model underlying geomorphology

    • Pointcloud or surface layers provided in CAD or GIS formats

    • Unobtrusive data gathering for sensitive projects

    • River-edge and stream-edge mapping

    • Coastal mapping, erosion monitoring, cliff-face mapping

    • Flood modelling

    • Tsunami modelling

  • LiDAR land development

    Land Development

    • Ground contours or DTM

    • Engineering design with accurate data

    • 3D visualisation

    • Hydro modelling

    • Start the project with the best data from the outset

  • LiDAR mining

    Mining

    • DTM or contours for mine exploration and design

    • Establish an accurate model over often tricky terrain

    • Rapid turn-around of data

    • Safer and faster than ground surveying

    • More cost-effective than field survey and more accurate than photogrammetry

  • LiDAR power utilities

    Power and Utilities

    • Power conductor, assets and pipeline aerial survey via drone LiDAR

    • Accompanying high resolution aerial imagery

    • Hydro or large-plant asset management

    • Ground, vegetation and pole height data for thermal upgrade/re-tensioning design

    • Mapping vegetation, modelling growth through repeat surveys

    • As-built surveys

  • LiDAR transport

    Transport

    • Aids new route design for road and rail

    • Captures a DTM of a wider corridor, enabling a more comprehensive design

    • Supplements ground survey and accurate enough for detailed design

    • Captures buildings and structures critical for initial planning

    • Ideal for access track for forestry

    • Mapping roadside slips and monitoring change

Case Studies

  • windfarm LiDAR Drone Survey

    DRONE LIDAR SURVEY AIDS TE RERE HAU WINDFARM UPGRADE

    Recon was approached by surveying and engineering professionals Aurecon in early 2022 to provide LiDAR aerial mapping services for NZ Windfarms Limited’s Te Rere Hau wind farm repowering project located on the Tararua Ranges.

    Having worked together previously, Aurecon was familiar with the benefits Recon’s drone LiDAR services offer with the rapid capture of highly detailed and accurate topographic data.

    Read More
  • UAV LiDAR DEM trees

    UAV LIDAR MAPPING FOR KIWIRAIL

    In September 2019 the NZ Government announced funding to rejuvenate the Northland rail line between Swanson, in West Auckland, and Whangarei. Along this very scenic route are 13 tunnels constructed up to a century ago that enable the rail service to traverse through some challenging landscape. Upgrading these tunnels, which includes lowering the rail to ensure larger shipping containers have sufficient clearance, involves significant geotechnical and structural engineering input.

    Read More

Drone LiDAR advantages over other remote sensing and mapping technologies: 

High accuracy

Accurate measurements of the terrain, objects, and features in the environment. This makes it a valuable tool for applications such as mapping, surveying, and monitoring. 

Wide coverage

Covers large areas quickly and efficiently, making it useful for applications such as land management, forestry, and disaster response.

Safety

A non-invasive technology that does not require physical contact with the environment, making it a safe tool for use in hazardous or sensitive areas. 

High resolution

Detailed 3D maps of the environment, with high spatial resolution. This enables users to see fine details, such as the shapes of individual trees or buildings. 

Versatility

LiDAR can be used in a variety of settings and environments, including urban areas, forests, and bodies of water.

Contact Us for Drone LiDAR services in Auckland & NZ Wide

Location
Auckland & NZ