Sales Director Airborne Sensors EMEA & Asia
Leica Geosystems
Switzerland
In the recent past LiDAR has become a mainstream geospatial data acquisition tool. The LiDAR data, 'point clouds', have become mainstream products of themselves, as well as a input for many subsequent data and information products. The reasons for this trend include the efficiency, redundancy and volume of acquisition, the relatively ease and quick production of a highly accurate and usable point cloud, and the subsequent, and expanding number of, diverse applications using the data. Not included in the aforementioned is of course the apparent competitive advantage of using LiDAR acquired data, which has driven uptake of the technology in the commercial sector.
LiDAR technology now is focused on several areas. Becoming ever more productive in terms of 'price per point' which, given the enormous data collection rates, are already low and getting lower. Usability is being addressed by making TM&A LiDAR systems more user friendly with the data handling faster and processing more automated, and increasing exploitation of the raw laser signal itself. In addition fused data from LiDAR and other sensors are becoming the norm. Although the point cloud has already inherent geometry, its information value is greatly enhanced with other data sources, or as a supplementary contribution to other primary or secondary data.
There is a need to replicate our world, firstly to understand it then to exploit it and thereafter to husband it. From the earliest maps to intricate 3D models we try ever more technologically sophisticated ways to visualise our world. Now and in the future, geospatial technologies, including LiDAR, are improving the efficiency with which we do it.
