High Resolution Mapping using UAS

UAS platforms are nowadays a valuable source of data for inspection, surveillance, mapping and 3D modeling issues. New applications in the short- and close-range domain are introduced, being the UASs a low-cost alternatives to the classical manned aerial photogrammetry. LIDAR has become the inevitable technology to provide accurate 3D data fast and reliably even in adverse measurement situations and harsh environments. It provides highly accurate point clouds with a significant number of additional valuable attributes per point compared to traditional digital photogrammetry based approach. UAS photogrammetry images generate the high resolution terrain visualisation, topographic data essential to detect precise asset locations, terrain modelling, geomorphological changes, vegetation dynamics and tree height models.

According to the new market research report  LiDAR market is expected to reach USD 1,809.5 Million by 2023 from USD 819.1 Million by 2018, at a CAGR of 17.2% during the forecast period.

The market for Solid-State LiDAR is expected to grow at the highest CAGR during the forecast period. The higher CAGR of the market for solid-state LiDAR during the forecast period is attributed to the increasing range of applications of this type in the automotive and robotics industries. The solid-state LiDAR systems were specially introduced for the automotive industry. These LiDAR systems can also be installed in economy cars due to their low costs.

On the basis of installation, ground-based LiDAR expected to grow with the highest CAGR during forecast period. The ground-based LiDAR systems are used in the applications including small area scanning, corridor mapping, volumetric mapping, and defense area surveying. Mobile ground-based LiDAR is a new and emerging technology used in many applications such as corridor mapping, transportation, hydrology, forestry, and construction. Mobile ground-based LiDAR systems are mounted on a mobile platform, preferably on a terrestrial vehicle. The advantage of being mounted on a vehicle is that it enables the LiDAR to scan large areas accessible by road. The automotive sector is emerging as an application area for the mobile ground-based LiDAR systems, and the number of premium cars equipped with advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) is rising every year. This is expected to further boost the market for mobile ground-based LiDAR systems.

North America is expected to dominate the LiDAR during the forecast period. This growth can be attributed to the supportive government initiatives and increasing utilization of LiDAR systems by various institutes for various applications, such as corridor mapping, forestry, environmental, and exploration, along with some of the emerging applications including advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) and urban planning.  The growing awareness regarding the benefits of LiDAR systems, which include easy functionality, better quality, less complexity, and improved features, can also be the driving factors for the growth of the LiDAR market in the US. In addition, major companies such as Trimble, Faro, and Velodyne are based in the US, which is also a key factor leading to the large share of the US in the LiDAR market.Major players operating in this market are Teledyne Optech (Canada), Leica Geosystems (Switzerland), Reigl Laser Measurement Systems (Austria), Trimble (US), Faro Technologies (US), Quantum Spatial (Aerometric) (US), Velodyne LiDAR (US), Beijing Surestar Technology (Isurestar) (China), Geokno (India), Sick AG (Germany).