Image: Leica Geosystems – HDSNew laser technologies are enabling the collection of 3D data from unique environments where such collection may not have been possible before. The FARO Focus3D  is an example of this kind of data collection, providing an instrument that operates through WLAN and capable of being operated remotely. This enables the instrument to be placed in remote environments, atop poles or located in in harsh environments where people may not usually be situated.

Recently AVEVA, a large engineering design and information management solutions for theplant, power and marine industries acquired Z+F UK Limited. Dave Wheeldon, CTO of AVEVA, said, “Building on the LFM software suite, our combined solutions will redefine the fundamental rules by dramatically increasing the efficiency of laser data integration for the design and asset management of brownfield projects and operations” – pointing to use in harsh environments. SuperGeo Technologies latest SuperPad software also supports laser collected data with a new extension for distance measurement into it’s GIS software. This enables field measurement in unique environments with GIS support. 

ERDAS has been developing a range of products that incorporate 3D laser scanned data from mobile, terretrial, airborne and image related approaches. Each of these enable support for capturing intelligence from problematics and difficult to access environments in a continuous fashion.
———————————