Nowadays, one of the popular methods for making spatial representations of an area is the use of laser scanning. This is a modern, highly effective method that is successfully used in a wide variety of industries.
- What is laser scanning?
- Types of laser scanning – what are the types of laser scanning?
- When is laser scanning useful?
What is laser scanning and what does this technology consist of? In what industries can it prove useful? Let’s try to find out more about it.
What is laser scanning?
Laser scanning is a technology, which allows the acquisition of information about the shapes of objects. It relies on the use of scanners, which use lasers to take measurements. The principle of this technology is quite simple. The object is hit by the laser beam, which is sent from a specific point in space. This one then returns to the device, and based on time the distance is determined. With the collected data, a point cloud is created, which allows to create an accurate spatial representation of the object.
Types of laser scanning – what are the types of laser scanning?
There are different types of laser scanning. As a result, the method offers a wide variety of possibilities. Depending on the environmental conditions, it is possible to choose the best solution that will provide high accuracy and the expected results.
There are a lot of types of laser scanning:
Terrestrial laser scanning – is 3d laser scanning, performed by ground-based scanners,
- Satellite laser scanning – conducted from Earth orbit. To date, there is only one device that allows satellite laser scanning: the Geoscience Laser Altimeter System (GLAS) mounted on the ICESat satellite.
- Airborne laser scanning – is a scanning that involves the use of laser scanners, which are located on flying machines.
- Mobile laser scanning – is a method that involves placing scanners on moving platforms. Thus, they can be located on cars, boats or trains.
When is laser scanning useful?
Nowadays, 3D laser scanning is a very valuable tool that allows it to achieve numerous effects in many industrial fields.
It is used, for example, in:
- Agriculture: as a way to identify landforms. Laser scanners are a great way to determine the method of fertilization, identify the places with the most sunlight, and determine the risks in connection with the exploitation of further cultivation of land in a specific place.
- Archaeology: with laser scanning it is possible to carefully document archaeological sites and prepare excavations.
- Tourism: in the tourism industry laser scanners are used, among other things, for planning trails, preparing accurate maps. They also allow analysis of hazards in specific spaces, as well as creation of virtual tours, observation of flora development and analysis.
- Construction: laser scanners allow efficient and accurate mapping of terrain. By using this technology, it is possible to pinpoint the precise locations of industrial installations. It is also useful for water construction, drilling wells, creating artificial landforms and much more.
- Robotics: in the creation of robots, laser scanners are used to retrieve data from the environment, measuring space and distance.
Naturally, it is only a part of all of the applications in which laser scanning technology can be useful. It is a modern method with high efficiency that is useful in a wide variety of industries. Laser scanning is a modern yet popular meta-method for taking measurements and making accurate visualizations of objects. It is definitely worth taking advantage of the opportunities it provides.
In conclusion, laser scanning is a versatile and transformative technology with applications across numerous industries, offering unparalleled precision and efficiency. For more insightful articles on modern technologies and innovations, visit InsightsJournal.
