What is LiDAR?

Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) is a fast, highly accurate way to examine the surface of the earth by measuring how light reflects from the surface, in conjunction with GPS and inertial measurement. Not only does this measure distance, but it can also measure elevations so the data can be used to create 3D models, topographical maps, and contour maps.

DRIFT UAV uses the latest Drone LiDAR technology to provide clients with extremely high-quality 3D point clouds at survey grade. The LiDAR data is processed by our data processing team to show ground levels beneath vegetated areas. The ability of the LiDAR to penetrate through vegetated areas combined with the efficiency and range of the Drones makes this an extremely effective tool for high grade surveying in difficult areas.

Understanding Terrain in Dense Forest Areas

Sometimes you want to get forest terrain data to understand what the real situation of a construction site is like. To do so, only LiDAR is possible. LiDAR uses a set of laser beams to obtain the base point of the cloud at a specific reference. Drones can travel between dense canopies to get data from the ground. This is very useful for construction so that contractors can understand clear terrain conditions without having to cut trees and clear land.

We can deliver Geo-Referenced, Classified point clouds in short order for:

  • Power Utility – Powerline corridor mapping to measure & track vegetation encroachment.
  • Transportation corridor mapping.
  • Landslide identification, monitoring & hazard assessment.
  • Topographic mapping prior to development.
  • Contract services for licensed surveyors & civil engineers.
  • The lidar system uses an active light sensor (Laser) so we can fly missions at night or in poor lighting.
  • We can help minimize your hazardous man-hours, stockpile inspection, landslide or rockfall inspection data from a safe standoff.

Use Cases for Aerial LIDAR Mapping

Our LIDAR mapping and inspection service is designed for:

  • Campus and building complex visualization
  • Land and property development
  • Mining and quarry management
  • Construction site monitoring
  • Environmental management
  • Forestry and agriculture
  • Elevation, contour, and topographic mapping
  • Levelling, excavation, and volume calculation
  • Archaeology and cultural heritage management
  • Highway construction and corridor mapping
  • Powerline mapping and vegetation modeling

Output Efficiency

We provide a full LIDAR point cloud and RGB orthomosaic data processing service delivering BIM/CAD ready outputs including:

  •  3D fully colorized point cloud (LAS, LAZ, or XYZ format)
  • 3D classified point cloud (full or thinned to your specification)
  • Point Cloud classified to ground, buildings, powerlines, vegetation,etc.
  • Digital Elevation Model (DEM – actual terrain structures)
  • Digital Terrain Model (DTM/DSM ground-classified)
  • Topographic Elevation Contours (DWG, SHP, or other formats)
  • 2D high-resolution orthographic imagery (GeoTIFF or ECW format)
  • Terrain profiling (elevations across slices of terrain)
  • Water pooling projections (flood risk mapping, water storage  planning)
  • Volumetric calculations (cut and fill, stockpile, change measurement)

We can deliver Geo-Referenced, Classified point clouds in short order for:

We are always available to discuss project partnerships involving Engineering Firms, Civil Engineering Firms, Surveyors and even Research and Development projects both national and international.

We can handle flight logistics and undertake the data collection & processing/delivery to your specifications. If you have a project you have in mind and would like to discuss in more detail, contact us.

Get a free consultation to maximize the use of drones in your company now.

SEND A MESSAGE