New Lidar Sensor Supports All Weather Driving

Posted on November 13, 2019 by lidar
image of New Lidar Sensor from Draper

New Lidar Sensor from Draper

A new lidar sensor developed by U.S.-based technology company Draper has made it possible for self-driving cars to see more reliably through rain, snow and fog.

From an article in Smart Transport by Tom Seymour.

Harsh weather conditions had previously made it more difficult for the sensors used in self-driving vehicles to clearly view conditions ahead.

However, Draper’s Hemera LiDAR Detector has been developed in a way that allows it to collect much more information from light sources in the environment.

Continue reading →

Posted in AI, artifical perception, artificial intelligence, Autonomous vehicles, Business Development, computer vision, driverless vehicles, Hardware, Laser Scanning, Lidar, point clouds, Research, Technology, The Industry, Visualization | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Potree Renders Large Point Clouds in a Browser

Posted on November 12, 2019 by lidar
Color coded image of Grand Canyon from Potree

Potree render of Grand Canyon

Thanks to Matt O’Banion at West Point and Mike Olsen at OSU for the heads up on Potree – a free, open-source, WebGL based point cloud renderer for large point clouds, developed at the Institute of Computer Graphics and Algorithms, TU Wien University in Vienna, Austria.

Potree was developed by Markus Schuetz for his Thesis in visual computing. That is a program that I wish more people had the opportunity to get involved with as it looks like the Institute at TU Wien is a leader in visualization, rendering and modeling.

Continue reading →

Posted in 3D Modeling, Data, Software, Visualization | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

Scan to BIM Best Practices by Dan Edleson

Posted on November 11, 2019 by lidar
Scan to BIM Best Practices

Scan to BIM Best Practices

Whenever you are working in Revit it is helpful to have a list of best practices. Some of the things that come up on typical projects are linking DWGs instead of importing them, using office standard families and organizing views into working and printed. A Scan to BIM model eventually ends up in the same place – a clean Revit model for documentation –but it takes a wildly different way to get there. Here’s some Scan to BIM Best Practices that I’ve found help to keep the process smooth and efficient and prevent major issues with modeling.

1. Limit the View Range

There is so much information in the scan data, if you don’t limit the range of your view you are going to spend a lot of time trying to figure out exactly what you are looking at. In the context of a section all you need to do is change the Far Clip Offset to 1’ or less to keep things tight. Since the section is shown in plans it’s easy to understand where you are cutting and be precise. Modifying the range in a floor plan takes a bit more work.

Continue reading →

Posted in BIM, Business Development, Data, Indoor Mapping, Laser Scanning, Lidar, point clouds, Software, Visualization, Young Geospatial Professional | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Digital Construction Verification Using 3D Laser Scanning

Posted on November 10, 2019 by lidar
image of pool Digital Construction Verification Supported by FARO

Digital Construction Verification Supported by FARO – Deviation Analysis

BAM Construction used FARO laser scanning hardware and the BuildIT Construction software to perform a digital construction verification. showcase how the construction was in compliance with the strict specified dimensional tolerances, subsequent to the construction of the concrete pool tank and before the pool’s tiles were fitted to ensure critical success factors of the project.

From an article in BIM Today.

Upon opening in 2019, the impressive new £26m Dover District Leisure Centre will feature a competition standard eight-lane swimming pool – and for competition swimming pools, build accuracy is paramount.

Appointed in 2016, BAM Construction was charged with delivering a first-class sports facility over an extensive site – they knew a good quality build was going to involve an element of BIM process supported by technology to quickly verify asbuilt pool dimensions and closeout risk.

Continue reading →

Posted in 3D Modeling, BIM, Business Development, Civil Engineering, Cloud, Construction, Data, Hardware, Infrastructure, Inspection, Laser Scanning, Lidar, point clouds, Quality, Sensors, Software, Surveying, Surveying Engineering | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Scan to BIM for Absolute Beginners by Dan Edleson

Posted on November 9, 2019 by lidar
Image of Office Scan to BIM

Scan to BIM

The first time I ever saw someone modeling off a point cloud, I assumed it was just an inefficient workaround. I thought I had seen everything Revit had to offer and looking at the pixelated images in the Revit browser I mistook the crude blocks of color for a remnant of past processes, rather than the future. It took me almost a decade to learn how wrong I was. It was only a few years ago that I started my first Scan to BIM project. It was intimidating at first, and I didn’t even know what I was looking at when I linked the point cloud into Revit. But after doing my first project and getting more acclimated with the process it became significantly more enjoyable. Soon enough point clouds started making me more confident in my as-built work, not less.

It can seem overwhelming looking at the billions of variegated dots that are crowding your screen, but in the end point clouds are just highly accurate as-built measurements. If you can make a Revit model with old AutoCAD plans, eventually you should be fine with Scan to BIM. These tips have made the process easier for me and hopefully will help you as well as you begin your first Scan to BIM project in Revit. Continue reading →

Posted in 3D Modeling, BIM, Business Development, Construction, Data, Indoor Mapping, Laser Scanning, Lidar, point clouds, Software, training, Visualization, Young Geospatial Professional | Tagged , , , | 3 Comments

USGS NGP Releases New Lidar Base Specification

Posted on November 8, 2019 by lidar
3DEP Image USGS NGP Releases Lidar Base Spec 2.1

USGS NGP Releases Lidar Base Spec 2.1

The USGS NGP Lidar Base Specification version 2.1 is now available. Some notable changes include:

  • Defining the project area as the lidar acquisition project boundary plus a 100-meter buffer
  • Applying the specification to the extent of the defined project area
  • Updating and clarifying point classification requirements
  • Changing the Digital Elevation Model (DEM) delivery format to require GeoTIFF

Requiring the null value in a DEM to be a value of ‘-999999

This update of the Lidar Base Specification better aligns the specification with the lidar data workflow in the USGS NGP, streamlines the data publishing workflow, clarifies language, and addresses Federal requirements to use non-proprietary data formats.

The USGS Lidar Base Specification provides a common base specification for all lidar data acquired for the 3D Elevation Program (3DEP) component of The National Map. The goal of the 3DEP is to systematically collect three-dimensional elevation data in the form of high-quality light detection and ranging (lidar) data over the conterminous United States, Hawaii, and the U.S. territories; and interferometric synthetic aperture radar (IfSAR) data for Alaska, where cloud cover and remote terrain limit lidar acquisition.

“3DEP is a national program that acquires data in cooperation with many partners, so we need to ensure that the lidar data is nationally consistent and interoperable between various collections” said Jason Stoker, NGP elevation science and application lead. “The USGS Lidar Base Specification provides the technical details on collection, processing, documentation, and delivery of lidar data, to make the data more useful for a broad range of applications. This latest version incorporates many lessons learned and input from federal, state, and industry collaborators.”

Previous versions of the Lidar Base Specification were released in 2010, 2012, 2014, and 2018. The USGS Lidar Base Specification Version 1.0 was quickly embraced as the foundation for numerous state, county, and international lidar specifications. To better keep pace with the fast-evolving technology of lidar, the USGS NGP changed the review, approval, and publication process. The Lidar Base Specification is now being published online at https://www.usgs.gov/3DEP/lidarspec. All updates are now reviewed and approved by the 3DEP Elevation Specifications Review Board and the 3DEP Working Group.

For more information click here.

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Posted in 3D Modeling, Admin, airborne LiDAR, Data, Government, Lidar, Mapping, Orgs, Photogrammetry, point clouds, remote sensing, Research, topography, Young Geospatial Professional | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

Advantages and Challenges of Multi-Sensor Data Fusion Webinar

Posted on November 7, 2019 by lidar
Point cloud image Advantages and Challenges of Multi-Sensor Data Fusion Webinar

Advantages and Challenges of Multi-Sensor Data Fusion Webinar

An important and free educational webinar, entitled “Advantages and Challenges of a Multi-Sensor, 3D Data Fusion Strategy” is being offered on Wednesday, November 20, 2019 at 2 PM EDT. This event, sponsored by RIEGL USA, will include an introduction to the key concepts, a discussion of two real world projects and a data fusion software demonstration. You will be able to immediately take advantage of the information being presented.

To Register for This Event Click Here!

The webinar will include:

  • A brief look at the early days of 3D lidar data fusion
  • Important references and resources for mobile mapping systems and UAS
  • The real world challenges of using multiple lidar sensors on a project
  • Best practices and lessons learned in the field and office
  • Expert processing of mobile mapping trajectories

The panelists will include:

Robert Dannenberg the Director 0f Unmanned Aviation at Maser Consulting PA. Rob is charged with the development and expansion of Remote Piloted Aircraft System (R-PAS) services as well as the firm’s data fusion capabilities specifically by combining remote sensing technologies to employ a more holistic approach for clients.

My-Linh Truong is the UAS/ULS Segment Manager at RIEGL USA. Ms. Truong has been with RIEGL USA since 2010, where she previously held the position of Training & Support Manager for Kinematic Systems.  Ms. Truong holds a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from the University of Central Florida.

Bring your questions on this important topic and please pass the word to your colleagues.

Join us on November 20, 2019 at 2 PM EDT by clicking here.

Even if you can’t attend, by registering you will automatically receive a link to the recorded webinar.

Posted in 3D Modeling, airborne LiDAR, Business Development, Construction, Data, Education, Environmental, Laser Scanning, Lidar, Mapping, Marketing, point clouds, Quality, remote sensing, Software, Surveying, Surveying Engineering, topography, UAS, UAVs, Young Geospatial Professional | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Drone Flight Safety Management At NUAIR

Posted on November 5, 2019 by lidar
Chart for Drone Flight Safety Management

Drone Flight Safety Management

Drone flight safety management is a concept that means different things to different people across a wide variety of organizations. A lot has been written about safety in the world of aviation where, in fact, the culture and standards have matured probably more than in any other industry. These solid foundations have matured over decades and have adapted to ever-increasing technologies and use-cases. Most recently, the advent of unmanned aviation has challenged those in the safety business with a host of brand new concepts and problems; but for those of us managing safety at an FAA-Designated UAS Test Site, these challenges become particularly unique. Continue reading →

Posted in airborne LiDAR, BVLOS, Certifications, Drones, Government, Lidar, Mapping, Orgs, Photogrammetry, Research, Safety, Sensors, Standards, UAS, UAVs | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Autonomous Delivery Robots Go the Last Mile

Posted on November 5, 2019 by lidar
Image of Autonomous Delivery Robot - Rev-1
Autonomous Delivery Robot – Rev-1

The Rev-1 may not be as exciting as some of the other autonomous delivery robots, but it just might work, assuming it doesn’t snow where you live. And you need a bike lane.

From an article in Smart Cities World.

Low-cost, lightweight autonomous delivery robots that can operate in both the bike lane and on the roadway has been launched at the TechCrunch Mobility event.

Refraction AI, founded by University of Michigan professors Matthew Johnson-Roberson and Ram Vasudevan, has developed the Rev-1 solution for last-mile logistics. The company is backed by eLab Ventures and Trucks Venture Capital.

Continue reading →

Posted in AI, artifical perception, artificial intelligence, Autonomous vehicles, Business Development, Consumer, driverless vehicles, Hardware, Internet of Things, Robots | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Multisensor Data Collection Includes Sonar and Lidar

Posted on November 4, 2019 by lidar

3D image of Multisensor Data Fusion

Multisensor Data Fusion

Bibby HydroMap, a UK-based company, has successfully completed an asset inspection survey of several bridges and the Weaver Sailing Club along the River Weaver in Cheshire (UK), an opportunity demonstrating its multisensor, marine 3D imaging capabilities in a highly dynamic and fast-flowing environment. The River Weaver is a marine connection between a number of businesses along the river and the Manchester Ship Canal and ultimately the Irish Sea, the integrity of which is paramount to their commercial operations.

Locate Any Obstructions to Navigation
The aim of the survey was to assess the condition of the bridges which span the river both above and below the waterline, along with the condition of the Weaver sailing club pontoon, river embankments and riverbed to locate any obstructions to navigation. The purpose of the survey was to: provide a baseline conditional survey of the marine assets, locate any areas of damage, identify items of debris/obstructions along the waterway and perform scour monitoring of the bridge abutments.

Continue reading →

Posted in 3D Modeling, bathymetric, Business Development, Data, Environmental, Hardware, Hydrographic LiDAR, Inspection, Lidar, Mapping, remote sensing, Surveying, Visualization | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment