Unmanned Laser Scanning
Digitise the World. Fast. Precise. Efficient.
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Our unmanned laser scanners offer cutting-edge scanning solutions designed for seamless integration with UAVs (Unmanned Aerial Vehicles). These advanced UAV LiDAR systems excel in capturing high-resolution data in hazardous or hard-to-reach areas.
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Whether you're mapping, monitoring, or analysing, we provide a comprehensive suite of drone LiDAR hardware and software to ensure your project is efficient, precise, and professional.
RIEGL for:
Multirotor
Fixed Wing / VTOL
Rotary
What is Unmanned Laser Scanning?
Unmanned Laser Scanning is a remote sensing process used to create 3D models of structures and areas. These can sometimes be referred to as drone LiDAR scanners or UAV LiDAR.
RIEGL UK unmanned laser scanners can be used on a wide range of remote controlled aerial vehicles, including multi-rotor, single-rotor, fixed wing and VTOL.
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Can you use Unmanned Laser Scanners on manned aircraft platforms?
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RIEGL LiDAR is of such a design that our unmanned products also cross over into manned aircraft, including helicopter and small fixed wing. For example, the VUX-100-25 system can be attached to small crewed planes like gyrocopters and on helicopters.
RIEGL miniVUX
The lightest RIEGL ULS
If your entry level LiDAR isn't providing you with the performance you desire, upgrading to a RIEGL miniVUX could be the answer.
With the RiLOC-E IMU/GNSS solution fully integrated into RIEGL's miniVUX series UAV LiDAR sensors, we can provide you with a turnkey solution for UAV-based data acquisition.
The unit fully integrates a Micro-Electromechanical System (MEMS) Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU), a GNSS unit, and RIEGL-developed software for a simplified, user-friendly workflow.
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Trajectory and scan data is managed by RIEGL's RiPROCESS, removing the need for any third party software to obtain a precisely aligned and calibrated point cloud.
RIEGL VUX-100-25
An elite RIEGL ULS optimised for high resolution and coverage from upper VLOS flight altitudes
For those looking at higher performance and productivity from their drone LiDAR solution, RIEGL supplies the VUX-100-25. This lightweight, versatile laser scanner offers a huge 160-degree field of view and a high pulse repetition rate of up to 1,500 kHz.
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Measurement rate of up to 1.3 million measurements/sec
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Scan speed of up to 200 lines/second
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Operating flight altitude of up to 360 m / 1,200 feet
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Low weight of 2.36 kg / 5.2 lbs
Available RIEGL Unmanned Laser Scanners
Tailor your ideal RIEGL solution. All RIEGL UAS/UAV Laser Scanning systems seamlessly incorporate:
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Choice of GNSS and IMU sensors for precise georeferencing of collected data.
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Selection of cameras including Sony and Phase One
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Robust package of RIEGL software for planning, acquiring and processing the highest performing point clouds and georeferenced imagery
Scan and map coastal regions, lakes and inland waterways with the RIEGL range of airborne topo-bathymetry laser scanners.
LiDAR bathymetry helps users to more accurately carry out:
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Coastline mapping
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Habitat observation and change detection
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River and inland waterbody survey
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Detailed underwater infrastructure and object detection
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Hydro engineering
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Hydro-archaeology
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Water reservoir monitoring
The range of products available are suitable for simple scanning and LiDAR mapping projects, through to more complex mapping needs that require large drones, helicopters or crewed aircraft. The range include:
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VQ-840-GE
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VQ-840-GL
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VQ-840-G
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VQ-860-G
Learn more about RIEGL Unmanned Laser Scanners
What are unmanned laser scanners commonly used for?
Complete Ecosystem for Laser Scanning
Our solutions combine robust hardware, advanced software, and technical support to provide everything you need for accurate and efficient data collection. From initial setup to final point cloud, we ensure a seamless experience tailored to your goals.
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Versatile Applications Across Industries
From power line mapping to disaster response, our scanners are designed to deliver actionable insights in:
Infrastructure Projects
Survey railways, roads, utility corridors and bridges with high precision and productivity.
Topographic Mapping
Capture highly accurate elevation data for large-scale surveys.
Environmental Monitoring
Track ecological changes in revealing detail.
Forestry Management
Monitor tree health and optimize forest operations.
Key features of RIEGL drone scanners
Lightweight designs
Products like the miniVUX have a lightweight design, enabling seamless integration with counterpart drone platforms.
High-speed data transfer and efficiency
Our VUX-100-25 is designed for rapid data capture along linear corridors like roads and railways, while delivering this data quickly and efficiently, making them ideal for infrastructure projects.
Extensive capabilities
Using NFB scanning, the VUX-160-23 and VUX-120-23 offer an extended measurement range and data capture from multiple angles, making them ideal for projects requiring coverage across various elevations or complex terrains. These products also have versatile UAV compatibility.
Advanced waveform processing
Our products enhance accuracy and resolution of data to support applications for detailed 3D imaging. All RIEGL laser scanners provide Attributed Multiple Returns providing the best possibility of acquiring the smallest utility power cable, or the ground features below forest tree canopies.
RIEGL Software Packages for unmanned laser scanners
Our software transforms raw data into visible and easy to understand maps and images, streamlining workflows and minimizing manual effort. Each software package complements our scanners, offering automation, customization, and reliability for a variety of industries.
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RiACQUIRE: This data acquisition and system integration software offers real-time visualisation and system control, integrating fluidly with RIEGL UAV scanners, simplifying workflow through automation, and minimising the need for manual amendments.
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RiPARAMETER: This provides operational assistance by adjusting the settings of airborne and UAV laser scanners. They offer comprehensive control over scanning parameters, from scan angle to flight height, which you can tailor for various survey-based needs.
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RiPROCESS: For robust data management, processing, and visualisation, RiPROCESS provides it in a high-performance fashion, with point cloud management, waveform analysis, and coordinate transformation.
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RiPRECISION UAV: This automatically adjusts and aligns UAV-based scan data, ensuring data accuracy and consistency across multiple sets while reducing manual adjustments. Its precise nature makes it good for high-resolution projects, and its ability to handle large data volumes from UAVs provide efficiency.
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RiHYDRO: This add-on software is for hydrographic and bathymetric data processing. It’s used to detect water surface levels and integrates with RIEGL UAV-based topo-bathymetric scanners for detailed underwater and shoreline assessments.
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LIS ALS Classification Plugin: This LIS ALS Classification Plugin segments airborne LiDAR point clouds into meaningful classes, which is useful for analysing vegetation, buildings, and terrain. Its capabilities streamline processes, making analysis faster and easier to digest
Why Choose RIEGL?
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Proven Success: A worldwide customer base rely on our technology for critical VLOS and BVLOS projects.
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Unparalleled Support: Access our team of experts for guidance and troubleshooting.
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Complete Versatility: From lightweight UAV scanners to integrated systems, we meet the demands of any task.
FAQs
1 / Do you offer System Integrations?
All RIEGL unmanned laser scanners are available as OEM hardware i.e. without positioning and navigation systems and cameras. Software libraries are also available. Please contact us on info@riegl.co.uk or +44 (0) 1904 217785 to discuss your OEM requirement.
2 / Are there service providers in my area?
Please contact us directly to get information about Service Providers in your area.
3 / What is the difference between drone laser scanners and unmanned laser scanners?
RIEGL Unmanned Laser Scanners have been designed and manufactured with the philosophy that LiDAR sensor can be attached to a multitude of aerial platforms without someone being with the unit to control it. This could be on any aerial vehicle such as a plane, helicopter or unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV).
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Drone laser scanners are a type of unmanned laser scanner and are simply a laser scanner attached to a drone.
4 / Which RIEGL LiDAR payload can be carried by a DJI Matrice 300 or 350?
RIEGL is platform agnostic – meaning we do not recommend or endorse any specific platform over other alternatives. For customers choosing a DJI Matrice 300 or 350, RIEGL offers a specific integration kit. It’s typical this DJI drone may carry a RIEGL miniVUX laser scanner complete with a RiLOC positional and navigational system with optional RGB camera.
5 / How accurate is an unmanned laser scanner?
The system performance of an unmanned laser scanner is the result of component error stack-ups, some of which are small and repeatable (datasheet system parameters) others are unknown and variable (positional / mission parameters / external environment factors). For example, flight altitude is a significant factor in final point performance.
It is important to select the correct solution for the demands of the project specification and practical limitations.
RIEGL works closely with our customers to ensure the correct core components are selected for your needs. Please contact us to discuss your specific requirements
6 / Do RIEGL offer a real time RTK drone lidar payload?
RIEGL designs and manufactures sensors for the highest performance. In our computation software and registration routines we wish to be able to analyse ‘all of the data’ in the most rigorous manner.
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For this, we log all of the data in the field and undertake processing after the event, or ‘post process’. RIEGL software has been developed over decades for the primary application of Airborne LiDAR, so rest assured our routines are most optimal for modern computing technology