Everything You Need to Know about Mobile Laser Scanning

You’ve probably heard about 3D laser scanning, the revolutionary technology that has enabled surveyors to capture the exact measurements of any physical object and render it into a three-dimensional representation through a 3D point cloud.

Over the years, 3D laser scanning service has been used increasingly because of its ability to capture millions of data points within just a few seconds to help cut down the time, manpower and resources it takes just to create a highly accurate representation of a space.

But any 3D laser scanning Edinburgh company would also admit that there are still challenges in using static 3D laser scanners, especially in building sites with a lot of obstacles or areas covering a vast amount of space.

So, after many years of evolving, we’ve come to know about mobile laser scanning, the latest addition to the growing 3D laser scanning market:

Mobile laser scanning is similar to traditional 3D laser scanning service, the difference of which is the equipment used for the job. This surveying method utilises laser systems that are mounted on moving vehicles like cars, trains and even boats while newer technology also use drones and helicopters to capture data from a bird’s eye perspective.
Handheld mobile laser scanners are also now available for surveyors to use conveniently without having to bring heavy static scanners.

Mobile laser scanning is used mainly for surveying cityscapes, landscapes, roads and buildings because unlike static laser scanners, these mobile alternatives have the ability to capture data for vast amounts of spaces in half the time, cutting down the manpower and resources needed to perform these tasks.
Mobile laser scanning is also very useful in responding to emergency situations because it allows for a quick analysis of ground conditions. It’s also used a lot in geo-mapping for Google Maps and Street View.

Companies like Edinburgh Measured Survey are now adapting mobile laser scanning into their system because of its many unique benefits that include:

If you’re surveying an area that spans miles of land, it would take days and a lot of people to get the job done if you’re using a traditional static 3D laser scanner.

But with mobile scanning, you just need to mount scanners on a vehicle and they can capture precise measurements within just a few hours so data can be rendered into an as built 3D BIM model right away.

This method can save a huge amount from the budget so it can be invested into other processes that will help improve the results of a project.

One of the biggest advantages of using mobile laser scanners is their ability to survey areas with very limited accessibility.

Surveying teams go through a lot of safety risks in doing projects, especially when working on very busy sites or hard-to-reach areas where they are prone to slips, falls and getting struck by moving objects.

But with mobile laser scanning, these risks can be mitigated or avoided altogether by using Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) systems that are capable of capturing data through a remote sensing method that utilises pulsed laser light in measuring ranges in surfaces.

A LiDAR instrument can be mounted on an aeroplane, drone or helicopter to capture data from above and transmit it on a GPS receiver that will allow for easy rendering through a point cloud survey.

Metrology

It reduces the risks faced by surveying teams when taking measurements of a site, especially those areas that are surrounded by lush vegetation or highly urbanised sites where there’s a lot of traffic.

Mobile laser scanning is definitely redefining the 3D laser scanning market in more ways than we can imagine.

With the ability to capture highly detailed information that benefit different industries, this technology is one of the best ways to speed up processes, cut down costs and protect workers from different risks.

So, it wouldn’t be surprising if mobile laser scanning will be a part of the industry standard in the future, especially with all the benefits it brings in terms of efficiency and accuracy in projects.