Delair’s DT26X Drone Captures Lidar and Photogrammetry Simultaneously

Delair has unveiled their latest UAV, the DT26X, which allows drone pilots to gather more information in a single flight by combining Lidar and an RGB camera. The DT26X is a fixed-wing drone that has a 30Km range, with a flight-time of almost two hours.

By combining the UAV-designed RIEGLminiVUX-1DL Lidar and a Photogrammetry camera, Delair has increased the precision, efficiency and cost-effectiveness of surveying and 3D mapping from their drone. The RIEGLminiVUX-1DL offers a high scan speed of up to 150 scans/sec and a measurement rate of up to 100,000 measurements/sec – effective in penetrating poor lighting conditions or dense foliage. The photogrammetry camera helps to complement and enhance the digital rendering of the Lidar data.

“The DT26X is another step toward completing our UAV Lidar equipment product portfolio”, said Michael Mayer, Managing Director, RiCOPTER UAV GmbH. “The scanner’s specific wedge prism scanning mechanism generates a circular scan pattern, resulting in high point densities and therefore is especially well suited when deploying the scanner from fast- moving acquisition platforms such as fixed-wing UAVs.”

“The combination of a sophisticated Lidar sensor and an industrial grade RGB camera removes the ‘either/or’ decision of choosing between Lidar and imagery data acquisition for geospatial professionals. This is the most versatile and cost-effective UAV solution for large area, long range mapping and surveying where accuracy and detail are required,” said Chase Fly, Delair’s Geospatial Product Manager.

“It provides the precision and visibility required by the most demanding use cases and allows data acquisition and advanced digitisation not possible through terrain-based or satellite 3D mapping techniques, or with limited short-range UAVs. With this configuration, users can acquire all the data required for a colourised point cloud from a single flight, which eases the point cloud classification process back in the office, saving significant time and money.” added Chase Fly.

Delair plans to start shipping the DT26X Lidar in April 2018, once the RIEGLminiVUX-1DL is in full production.