LiDAR Drone Payloads and System for Survey – Camera Included

An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) with a LiDAR (light detection and ranging) sensor is called a LiDAR drone. This configuration enables aerial 3D mapping and surveying with great accuracy.

Light Detection and Ranging, or LiDAR, is a technology that measures distances to the Earth’s surface using laser pulses from an aerial platform, usually a drone.

Several essential parts of a LiDAR drone system combine to provide high-precision airborne mapping and surveying. These elements consist of:

1. LiDAR Sensor:

   • The LiDAR sensor, which is the main part of the system, shoots laser pulses in the direction of the ground and timed how long it takes for them to return. Distance calculations and the creation of three-dimensional maps of the surveyed region are done using this data.

2. Drone (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle):

   • The platform on which the LiDAR sensor is mounted. LiDAR systems employ a variety of drone sizes and designs, frequently selected in accordance with operational specifications such as flight duration, payload capacity, and stability.

3. GPS Receiver:

   • essential for giving exact drone location information. With the help of the LiDAR data, precise GPS receivers are able to georeference the gathered spatial data.

4. Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU):

   • The drone’s roll, pitch, and yaw angles are measured by an IMU, which provides the required orientation data. Particularly in cases of uneven terrain, this information aids in precisely mapping the LiDAR data to real-world coordinates.

5. Data Storage:

   • Onboard storage to store the enormous volume of information produced by the LiDAR sensor. After processing, this data is used to produce the finished 3D model or map.

6. Control Systems:

   • contains the software and hardware required to operate the drone. This could include automated flight planning software, remote controls, and real-time drone status monitoring systems.

7. Power Supply/Battery:

   • The batteries used to power drones are usually rechargeable ones. The amount of space that can be scanned in a single flight is determined by the drone’s flying time and the capacity of these batteries.

8. Data Processing Software:

   • Accurate 3D models or maps are produced by processing the raw LiDAR data, GPS, and IMU data using specialist software after the flight. This software is necessary to convert the unprocessed data into information that may be used.

     Every one of these elements is essential to the operation and effectiveness of a LiDAR drone system, which makes it an effective instrument for a range of uses such as environmental research, forestry, urban planning, and topographic mapping.

The quality of the LiDAR sensor, the drone’s capabilities, and extra features or software that are part of the system can all have a big impact on how much a LiDAR drone costs.
As of my last update in April 2023, here are some general price ranges:

1. Entry-Level LiDAR Drones:

   • These systems can cost anywhere from AU$40,000 to $60,000, and they may include less sophisticated drones and simpler LiDAR sensors. Usually, they are used for more straightforward tasks like farming or small-scale mapping.

2. Mid-Range Systems:

   • More complex drones, more precision, and longer range are available with more advanced systems, which can cost anywhere from AU$60,000 to $200,000.  Environmental research, infrastructure inspections, and more difficult professional surveys are common uses for these systems.

3. High-End Professional Systems:

   • Modern LiDAR sensors, high-performance drones, and sophisticated software capabilities are all included in the price of top-tier LiDAR drones, which can range from AU$200,000 to $400,000 or more. The most difficult applications, such as accurate scientific research, intricate infrastructure projects, and comprehensive topographic surveys, call for the deployment of these systems.

For the most accurate and up-to-date pricing, it’s recommended to contact us directly or to obtain quotes based on your specific requirements.