Drone LiDAR Surveying
Advanced drone technology delivering centimeter-level accuracy across multiple industries
- Absolute Accuracy and Enhanced Data Quality
- Affordable Solutions
- Ideal for a Variety of Industries
- Maximum Speed and Coverage
- Industry-Leading Drone LiDAR Survey Technology
What is LiDAR and How Does it Work?
Drone LiDAR surveying involves using aerial platforms with Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) sensors to generate accurate 3D mapping solutions. The system fires rapid laser pulses —up to 500,000 points in a second—recording how long each pulse takes after hitting surfaces. These pulses penetrate the vegetation canopy, where possible, even in cases of very dense vegetation, and thus can be measured on the ground.
Our systems integrate high-precision GPS/GNSS positioning and Inertial Measurement Units (IMU) to document sensor orientation and position during flight accurately. This results in a georeferenced point cloud at survey-grade quality of up to 5cm. In contrast to classical photogrammetry, LiDAR also doesn’t require bright light and can collect points from beneath a forest canopy.
This data is processed via sophisticated algorithms that classify points based on ground, vegetation, buildings, and other characteristics. Planned deliverables are classified as point clouds, Digital Terrain Models (DTM), point grids, and vegetation density. The system is particularly appealing for forestry, corridor mapping, and complex infrastructure projects where obtaining those hundreds of return hits on a traditional survey is difficult.
However, this includes generating a 3D model based on the numerous measurements in the point cloud. After processing these points, surveyors can generate high-quality Digital Terrain Models (indicating bare earth) and Digital Surface Models (indicating everything, including vegetation, buildings, etc.). The differences between these models can yield important insight into vegetation height, building dimensions, and small changes in terrain that may be indicative of archaeological features or geologic formations.
This technology is especially useful in complex environments where traditional surveying techniques may falter. In forestry, you can also calculate tree heights and the density of forest cover while mapping the ground below. In archaeology, it can uncover ancient settlements buried under vegetation. The data used in infrastructure and construction allows precise calculation, meaning plans can be created efficiently to ensure quality delivery.
LiDAR Data Analysis
ASPRS classification standards are a universally used system to classify data similarly. A complex way to organize the millions of data points you gather. Just as a librarian re-arranges books into different categories, LiDAR data points are separated into standard classes: ground, low vegetation, medium vegetation, high vegetation, buildings, etc. This standardisation means surveyors worldwide can speak the same ‘language’ when working with LiDAR data.
This becomes even more powerful if we filter and analyse these classified points. For a first-of-its-kind technique with no precedent, traditional photography can only observe the part above ground, like mapping the floor of a dense forest from the air. It would be impossible. However, because LiDAR can review the gaps in trees and plants, we can request it to remove the layers digitally, exposing features that may not be visible to the human eye or regular surveying methods.
Industry-Leading LiDAR Technology
- The differences between drone LiDAR and traditional photogrammetry are apparent in challenging environments.
Photogrammetry uses digital imagery, which relies on specific conditions for optimal results. LiDAR uses laser beams to generate a surface by measuring the return time for the pulse to create the terrain below.
A laser pulse (or set of pulses) records multiple returns as it interacts with various surfaces, layering spatial information on top of one another. One pulse, for example, can be reflected first off a treetop canopy, then branches at different heights, and finally the ground. All these returns are tracked with precise positioning data, resulting in a point cloud – effectively, a super high-resolution digital twin of the surrounding real world.
Do you need to see bare earth underneath thick vegetation?
The classified point cloud enables this by filtering out non-ground features.
Do you want to isolate individual features like buildings or power lines?
Point Cloud classification enables you to filter precisely what you need to review with pinpoint accuracy. Removing unnecessary features makes visualisation much easier as these layers can be toggled on and off depending on the requirements.
What makes LiDAR measuring different from other methods of surveying is its accuracy?
Modern LiDAR sensors give unprecedented accuracy, with measurements within a centimetre of where something is. This built-in accuracy is complemented and expanded upon by utilizing properly located ground control points and survey points that provide known, mapped positions for verifying and adjusting the gathered information. So, this combination of active sensing and ground truthing leads to a reliable dataset for critical applications.
Drone LiDAR has applications across an impressive range of industries.
- Infrastructure inspection performs best at mapping overhead power lines, enabling engineers to gauge clearances and plan maintenance so they won’t endanger workers.
- Environmental scientists rely on LiDAR data to observe nuanced changes in vegetation regimes and simulate future flood hazards.
- Urban planners use LiDAR’s capacity to produce highly detailed models of cities to map out future development.
- Construction crews leverage it for accurate volume calculations and site logistics.
Drone LiDAR can collect even detailed measurements over restricted access areas from a safe distance.
However, maybe more significantly, LiDAR’s range of applications keeps expanding. With its ability to “see through” vegetation, capture intricate details, and generate classified point clouds, one can now have previously impossible insights, from precision agriculture to archaeological surveys, railway corridor mapping, and forest inventory assessments.
This revolutionary ability transforms how we perceive, interpret, and interact with our environment in virtually every professional field.
Professional and GDPR-Compliant Drone LiDAR Services
The lightweight LiDAR sensor uses laser beams rather than a camera, which removes many GDPR concerns from the equation, making it ideal in sensitive areas.
We proudly offer LiDAR surveying services that are compliant with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). We believe in protecting the data collected through our surveys and only provide it to our customers after all regulations have been met. We are highly trained to provide LiDAR drone surveys for our clients.
Cost-Effective LiDAR Drone Surveys Conducted by Industry Professionals
At Drone Services Ireland, we have over 10 years of experience conducting drone operations and producing survey-grade data. Our drone operators are all EASA certified, placing you in the best hands when providing accurate LiDAR data for your project.
We have the piloting skills and expertise, and have completed some of the most complex operations in Ireland. We provide a much more cost-effective and accurate survey method than traditional ones. You can save up to 40% on traditional surveys and get results in half the time.
Whether your project has limited access, is facing critical infrastructure challenges, or is facing complex terrain, we are here to help you get the LiDAR survey data you need quickly and accurately.
Drone LiDAR FAQs
Learn more about our LiDAR Drone Surveying services:
Can you add LiDAR to a drone?
Due to recent technological advancements and reduced sensor and chip sizes, LiDAR can be mounted onto some drones. Not all drones can carry the weight of a LiDAR sensor, but the enterprise drones we use can carry several different models of LiDAR units.
Can drone lidar surveying be carried out over difficult terrain?
The accuracy of a drone LiDAR survey depends on several factors, including the size of the area being surveyed, the quality and resolution of the sensors used, and the number of ground control points incorporated in the survey. Generally, drones can achieve accuracies down to 5 cm or less. The accuracy of a LiDAR drone survey is typically higher than that of traditional surveying techniques.
How is a LiDAR survey different from a drone survey?
Drone LiDAR surveying differs from the photogrammetry used in our aerial surveys, which cannot see bare earth where vegetation or tree canopies exist. Photogrammetry uses images stitched together and georeferenced; LiDAR uses laser beams. Laser technology uses multiple returns to penetrate the vegetation until the hard surface is reached.
Terrestrial laser scanning has been used in construction for many years, and aerial laser scanning is somewhat newer due to the size and weight of LiDAR units. Recent technological advances have allowed smaller, lighter units to be mounted on planes and drones, allowing for high-density aerial scans.
Overgrown sites or even long grass during the summer months can affect the data collected by photogrammetry, and LiDAR should be used.
Mission planning differs due to the requirements for LiDAR and photogrammetry, which can be the difference between survey-grade and OK results.
Why do I need a drone LiDAR survey?
Some of the main areas where LiDAR shows its worth are in areas of vegetation, even medium grass; LiDAR can penetrate through to hit the hard surface of the ground. This is due to the number of returns from the LiDAR unit before it reflects off a surface. Many drone topographical surveys need to consider grass growth during the summer, which can give erroneous elevation data.
Drone LiDAR surveys are often used on overgrown greenfield sites or before requesting planning permission. Construction companies and developers can leverage this technology’s benefits in planning and construction processes.
LiDAR mapping is required for penetration of vegetation or forest canopy. Regular drone camera sensors will only see the tops of the trees or the long grass in an overgrown field, while LiDAR can penetrate through the canopy of vegetation until it hits the hard surface of the ground.
Drone LiDAR surveys generate millions of data points, each having a georeferenced value. These values are then compared with the other data points in the set, and many calculations are derived from them. Stockpile volumetrics, distance measurements, slope length and angle, building heights, and features such as windows and doors can all be extracted from the data set.
How much does a LiDAR drone survey cost?
There is no simple answer to a drone lidar price, but generally, the size of the site or area to be surveyed will determine the pricing. The bigger the site, the more planning and flight time are required. More data will be captured on more significant sites, meaning more ground control will be placed and recorded. More significant sites generate more extensive data sets, which take longer to process. We generally price jobs based on sizing bands. Under 50 acres, 50 – 100 acres, etc. The required deliverables also determine the price.
Where is a LiDAR drone survey not useful?
Drone LiDAR surveys are not suitable in all situations.
LiDAR and water do not mix well due to refraction and light absorption. That is not to say that LiDAR cannot penetrate water but requires a specific wavelength beam, which is not traditionally used for land surveying.
LiDAR is generally not a good solution for coastal erosion monitoring. Photogrammetry also has its challenges with water due to movement in the water between images, but for coastal erosion, surveying can be achieved by monitoring the tides.
The light spectrum is significant, and many specialised sensors can perform various tasks. These may or may not fit on current drone technology, but they will generally require custom fitting. We can provide these services and work with you to help you achieve your goals.
Can you use drones for LiDAR?
Drones are being used more and more in LiDAR surveys. With the reduction in size and price of aerial-mounted LiDAR units, the benefits of speed and coverage mean that it is far more economical to use drone LiDAR surveys. When properly planned and executed, the accuracy is on par with on-the-ground surveys and is often more accurate due to the millions of extra data points collected. A more granular site plan can be generated with contour details much faster than traditional surveys to achieve the same levels of accuracy.
How accurate is the LiDAR drone survey?
We previously used the drone LiDAR survey method on a heavily vegetated site that was inaccessible due to safety concerns and dense vegetation.
We used the L1 LiDAR on the M300 to survey the site. We incorporated on-site control points, and the drone survey’s accuracy was within 5cm across the site. The data gathered during the LiDAR drone survey allowed us to generate contours based on the under-canopy surface, extract boundaries, and break lines.
Drone LiDAR mapping is excellent for the CAD and design processes where site access is restricted.