DRONE LIDAR INSPECTIONS

We Provide drone LIDAR Services For:

ConnexiCore™ is proud to introduce our highly acclaimed drone-based lidar scanning data acquisition services group. ConnexiCore is a leading provider of lidar scanning data acquisition and reality capture services. We integrate the latest in aerial, terrestrial, and subsurface data collection technology with state-of-the-art GIS, 3D, AutoCAD, and lidar software, allowing us to provide intuitive and cost-effective deliverables.

Our experienced lidar solutions group can realistically map up to 1500 acres per day anywhere in the United States, Canada, and the Caribbean.Unlocking the inexplicable large-scale lidar mapping data requires more than just your off-the-shelf software. Site specific data processing and complex postproduction techniques must be employed to remove any excess noise and unnecessary data artifacts from point cloud models, resulting in commercial grade high quality deliverables. ConnexiCore is capable of delivering drone lidar mapping at scale, with more efficiency, and more competitively priced than anyone else in the industry.

At ConnexiCore, our skilled team of professionals works in harmony to deliver top-tier results for each project’s unique requirements. In addition, with the help of our trusted technology providers we are also able to process and incorporate expansive lidar datasets. This allows us to provide unmatched power when it comes to delivering impactful solutions.

What Makes drone LIDAR Technology Different?

Lidar (Light Detection and Ranging) is a remote sensing technology that uses laser light to densely sample the earth’s surface, producing highly accurate X, Y, and Z measurements. Lidar processes information similar to how sonar or radar detects objects. Rather than hitting objects with a sound or radio wave, it sends a series of hundreds of thousands laser pulses per second at a target. This allows a lidar-equipped drone to collect highly accurate measurements of an object’s distance from a set point and its dimensions by measuring the time it takes for each laser pulse to bounce back.

Lidar technology offers an unparalleled capability with 3D modeling. Unlike photogrammetry, which requires a process of stitching together individual images, lidar utilizes laser light pulses that can penetrate complex and intricate spaces of foliage or other obstructions. This creates levels of detail unattainable through traditional means. Post-processing aids in the classification of data points based on what reflects back; these classification categories include bare earth/ground, top canopy coverage, and water. With its advanced capabilities, lidar is invaluable across various industries for numerous applications ranging from urban planning to forestry conservation efforts!

How can drone Lidar Data Be Used?

Using lidar, it’s now possible to map forests in remarkable detail. Capturing the terrain and vegetation down to centimeter level of accuracy, these three-dimensional point cloud models can provide invaluable information that contributes towards sophisticated analysis. When combined with other sources, this data means foresters are better equipped than ever to understand their environment.

Lidar is one of the core strengths and abilities of ConnexiCore and we combine aerial lidar (sensors mounted to drones or small aircraft) with handheld and mobile SLAM (Simultaneous Localization and Mapping) lidar to provide unparalleled point cloud density and data extraction. Using our lidar data, we can determine tree densities, stocking levels, expected yield of a given area, and perform regression analyses.

Our clients get an immersive experience with our virtual walk-thru of the scanned area, taking them on a digital journey to discover what lies beneath.

Drone Lidar in Construction

Site-specific lidar enables you to improve construction project safety while providing the information needed to make smart decisions on where and when to build.

Hiring a lidar-enabled drone is a cost-effective way of improving the efficiency of projects related to all stages of construction, including:

  • Delivering accurate surveys at the beginning of the project
  • Providing simulation and analysis for project development
  • Maintaining and repairing equipment on the project
  • Assisting with accurately predicting project costs
  • Assessing the suitability of building sites

Drone lidar for Sinkhole Detection and Monitoring

Given lidar’s ability to penetrate dense vegetation to measure the ground below, it is the perfect tool to detect and measure sinkholes. Quarterly or yearly scans can be performed in order to monitor sinkhole progression – allowing for unprecedented site awareness and decision making.
Subsurface view of 40'-70' deep sinkholes. The area above the sinkholes is covered by dense, impenetrable vegetation. Without lidar, the full extent of the sinkholes would never be known.
Subsurface view of 3 large sinkholes near the base of a limestone quarry. The haul road between two of the sinkholes had to be reevaluated for safety and eventually shut down after the severity of the sinkholes became known.

Drone Lidar for Forestry & Geosciences

Lidar is an active remote sensing technology used to measure distances and geospatial data with great precision. This technology provides horizontal and vertical information at high spatial resolution and vertical accuracy, offering opportunities for enhanced forest monitoring, management, and planning.

Lidar provides invaluable information when doing research for forestry and geoscience-related projects, including:

  • Forest inventory – measuring tree height and density
  • Wildlife habitat analysis
  • Forest fire management
  • Forest mapping & tree segmenting
  • Watershed analysis
  • Landslide hazard assessment

THE BENEFIT OF BOTH AERIAL AND TERRESTRIAL DRONE LIDAR FOR FORESTRY SCANS

In image below please note the difference in point cloud density between the two collection
methods. Simply put, AERIAL lidar misses valuable stem and branch information while SLAM
lidar lacks the ability to create dense point clouds near the tree canopy. The two methods work in tandem. ConnexiCore has developed efficient collection and processing workflows that effectively combine terrestrial SLAM and aerial lidar data – resulting in the most accurate data and information extraction possible.

Tree Segmenting

Using A.I., deep learning algorithms, and professional LiDAR editing software, individual trees can be segmented and classified. This feature is extremely useful for end users who need to organize trees by grouping or perform analysis in a grid or tile layout.

UNCLASSIFIED DRONE LIDAR DATA VS. CLASSIFIED DRONE LIDAR DATA

Every lidar point can have a classification assigned to it that defines the type of object that has rejected. Lidar points can be classified into a limitless number of categories including bare earth, top of canopy, building, vegetation, powerlines, and water. The different classes are defined using numeric integer codes in the LAS files.

Unclassified Point Cloud

This full, unclassified point cloud displays all buildings, trees, and powerlines as a single point cloud.

Classified Point Cloud

After classifications, individual classes can be turned on and off, or all classes can be toggled off to view only the bare earth.

What does Bare-Earth – Digital Elevation Model (DEM) do?

By processing Lidar data point clouds into bare-earth digital elevation models, the vegetation is stripped away, revealing past landslides, steep slopes, and other features that may be invisible on aerial images or hard to detect from the ground.

Digital Elevation Model overlayed into GIS Software (.tif format)

Drone Lidar in Mining

From evaluating land for opportunities to creating models of open-pit mines, lidar technology plays a key role in modern mining operations. Lidar data can be collected at every stage of a mining project, from inspecting and surveying the area and planning operations to creating a plan for returning the land to a natural state at the project’s conclusion.

A few of the ways lidar can assist in mining include:

  • Improving safety
  • Reducing environmental risk
  • Mapping the mining area
  • Designing and constructing the mine plant and infrastructure
  • Determining orebody, pit, and void volumes
  • Determining pit, bench, pre-strip, and spoil surface volumes
  • Determining stockpile volumes for inventory
  • Monitoring changes to the environment after mining

Drone Lidar for Power Line Inspection

Efficient observation and monitoring methods for large-scale and high-voltage power line networks have become increasingly important to stay up-to-date with line maintenance and upkeep. Power networks can be easily monitored using lidar technology, and areas of concern can be flagged, ensuring reliable and consistent power transmission. For ongoing monitoring and maintenance of power line networks, lidar can provide invaluable data, including:

  • Measuring the distance between the foliage, different vegetation, and power lines
  • Predicting future problematic areas
  • Measuring wire profiles and detect sagging power lines
  • Post-storm observations and surveying to address areas of potential damage
  • Improving speed of inspections
  • Vegetation Management and Vegetation Encroachment (Our vegetation management process is easily integrated into existing GIS systems with little to no learning curve)

Drone Lidar for Professional Engineers & Surveyors

Civil engineers and surveyors often require exact measurements when designing, planning, and assessing the suitability of a potential building site. Lidar can be used to gather the data and information needed to run a project efficiently and smoothly, both on time and within budget. Design surfaces generated by Drone Lidar provide architects and engineers with the most realistic surface representation for them to begin their designs.

Lidar technology can also assist in the design and construction industry by allowing professionals to:

  • Accurately design, compare, measure, plan, and coordinate the building site
  • Collect data for developing as-built models when limited or no reference drawings are available.
  • Tie models to survey-grade control
  • Assess the feasibility of the building site
  • Get accurate measurements of vegetation, slope gradient, and existing structures

The Easiest Drone LIDAR services Company to do Business With

At ConnexiCore, we strive to make the process easier for you, not more complicated. We manage the entire process, including piloting the drones, capturing the content and data you need, and delivering actionable insights in a convenient, cloud-based platform. Our nationwide mission-based drone flight plans are enforced by our experienced, knowledgeable, and professional FAA-certified drone pilots, data analysts, and software engineers. Contact our team of experts today for a FREE lidar drone service quote.