A redesigned autonomy and mapping payload that is said to set the global standard for survey grade autonomous light detection and ranging (LiDAR) mapping in challenging environments, has recently been launched.

Emesent’s Hovermap ST is the latest version of its autonomy and mapping payload and includes its new automated ground control feature. 

The tough, lightweight, IP65 rated Hovermap ST features a number of improvements, allowing autonomous data capture in even harsher environments and for a wider range of uses, says the company.

Simultaneous localisation and mapping- (SLAM-) based systems have been widely used for rapid mapping of complex environments, but achieving survey grade accuracy and repeatability has been noted as a challenge in some environments. The new autonomous LiDAR mapping system enhances the SLAM solution to remove SLAM drift and produce survey grade, georeferenced point clouds and helps to eliminate any compromise between fast data capture and data accuracy.

“This is a huge step forward for mobile mapping, providing unrivalled SLAM accuracy and workflow efficiencies,” said Emesent CEO and co-founder Dr Stefan Hrabar.

Emesent Ground Control targets are placed in the environment and captured in a continuous scan with Hovermap ST. There is no need to stop or place it on the targets, ensuring the capture process remains as efficient as before. The targets are automatically detected by Emesent’s SLAM processing engine and used to both improve the SLAM result and automatically georeference the point cloud to the control points. The process includes automated constellation matching between detected targets and known survey coordinates, eliminating cumbersome manual work which can introduce errors.

Hovermap’s tap-to-fly autonomy feature enables guided exploration in previously inaccessible areas beyond line of sight and communication range. The omnidirectional collision avoidance and smart return-to-home functions aim to ensure assets are kept safe and valuable equipment isn’t damaged or lost.

The system’s plug-and-play design is designed to enable seamless switching between drone, walking, and vehicle- or backpack-mounted scanning, providing the versatility needed to capture data anywhere.

This combination of precision engineering, SLAM algorithms, and robust drone autonomy capabilities are all designed to provide accurate LiDAR mapping for as-builts, surveys or inspections.