Lidar on a UAV
Flyability was founded in 2014 and since then provided internal inspection UAVs. Elios 3, a professional inspection and mapping drone with onboard lidar was introduced two weeks ago and demonstrates the power of 3D lidar.
Capabilities
With the Ouster OS0 mounted at the back of the drone, accurate point clouds can now be generated next to the retrieval of thermal data and high-resolution imagery from the onboard 4k camera. Due to the built-in LEDs, also dark indoor areas can be investigated. To protect the valuable equipment on the drone, a robust cage has been designed. The drone is even IP-44 certified, making it resistant to water splashes and dust. Because the OS0 is certified up to IP69K, it is not a limiting factor.
Maximizing the potential of lidar
As if lidar inspection itself wasn't valuable enough, Flyability pushed the capabilities of lidar technology further. The FlyAware SLAM engine uses the data of the Ouster OS0 to build real-time 3D maps of the UAV's surroundings. While mapping, the data can also be used by the operator to identify obstacles that could be potentially hazardous for the drone.
Another significant feature is the introduction of SLAM-based stabilization. Lidar detects the tiniest movements of the drone and instantly reports them to the flight controller which then compensates for the drift.
Conclusion
With the Elios 3, Flyability demonstrates the enormous and ever-expanding potential of 3D lidar technology. While primarily being used to generate accurate 3D maps, it also plays a significant role in the navigation and stability of the drone.
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