Bridging the Gap Between Manned Aircraft and UAV Geospatial Acquisition
RIEGL VPX-1 Pod integrated onto SurvTech Solution’s Helicopter.
SurvTech Solutions recently added the RIEGL VPX-1 Helicopter Pod with integrated RIEGL VUX-16023 into their portfolio of geospatial acquisition tools. SurvTech started as a land surveying firm in 2004 and they have grown into a full-service geospatial company, providing every type of geospatial service.
With the addition of the RIEGL VPX-1 pod, SurvTech has completed their portfolio of acquisition platforms. They now have a fully equipped fleet of Airplanes, UAVs, automobiles, boats, ATVs, backpacks (shoulder mounted), push carts, and helicopters. While they are already capitalizing on the unique advantages of both manned aircraft and UAV geospatial collection, these platforms have some limitations. With the addition of the Helicopter mounted VPX-1, an enhanced solution for corridor mapping can now be offered as they aim to bridge the gap between manned aircraft and UAVs. All while providing agile and efficient data collection capabilities for a wide range of geospatial applications.
“We are extremely pleased that SurvTech has chosen our VPX-1 helipod to fulfill their comprehensive platform approach for providing high-resolution and high-precision 3D data to the utility, transportation and survey communities,” said Michael Sitar, Airborne Division Manager at RIEGL USA. “We look forward to supporting SurvTech and their future missions with the VPX-1 helipod and its hybrid LiDAR and imagery payload.”
Alex Dennison (SurvTech Sensor Operator) and Chase Comeaux (SurvTech LiDAR Processing Expert) during the integration of the RIEGL VPX-1 Helicopter Pod, enabling them to further understand the inner workings of the technology in line with SurvTech’s Total Quality Management (TQM) philosophy.
SurvTech training day on the new RIEGL VPX-1.
The RIEGL VPX-1 Helicopter Pod was the obvious choice for SurvTech Solutions because of its capabilities. Within the world of smaller LiDAR sensors, both in airborne and UAV-based, the manufacturing quality and performance of RIEGL is reaching new heights. The design of this pod paired with the imagery and LiDAR requirements needed for SurvTech projects made this an ideal fit. An added bonus was the fact that the VPX-1 is a turn-key solution, and there isn’t a need to patch together cameras and LiDAR systems. This is so vitally important because when flying LiDAR from a helicopter, seconds equates to dollars, and maintenance and integration costs could be extensive.
Data collected with RIEGL VPX-1 integrated onto SurvTech Helicopter.
Future Market Outlook for SurvTech Solutions
With the decades of experience using LiDAR and imagery represented in the SurvTech team, they have the opportunity to excel in the newest technology that is available and strive towards providing their clients with the best of the best. As SurvTech looks to the future they will require continuing collaboration with RIEGL to provide the hardware and software needed to keep pushing the envelope of geospatial acquisition.
“With the purchase of the RIEGL VPX-1 Helicopter Pod, SurvTech has filled our last aerial geospatial gap. We now can collect aerial data from our airplane, UASs, and helicopter.” said David O’Brien, SurvTech Solutions President. “We can offer the aerial geospatial solution that best fits our client’s needs and wants.”
About the RIEGL VPX-1 Helicopter Pod
RIEGL VPX-1 Helicopter Pod
The RIEGL VPX-1 is a lightweight and aerodynamic sensor pod designed for helicopter installations that tightly integrates a user’s choice and orientation of LiDAR and imaging sensors. Compatible with Meeker Aviation’s rapid disconnect system, the VPX-1 can be installed on many helicopter makes and models for maximum platform flexibility.
Perfectly suited for corridor, forestry or urban survey applications, the VPX-1 is a turn-key solution that consists of a choice of RIEGL VUX-120²³, VUX-160²³ or VUX-240 high-precision airborne laser scanners, up to three high-resolution digital aerial cameras (RGB and/or 4-band), a high-accuracy INS/GNSS system, flight management system and all related processing software. The VPX-1 can also be configured to support both nadir and oblique lidar/camera orientations that are of particular value for power line mapping applications, or any application that requires increased vertical detail and coverage.
About RIEGL:
RIEGL is an international leading provider of cutting-edge technology in airborne, mobile, terrestrial, industrial and unmanned laser scanning solutions for applications in surveying.
RIEGL has been producing LiDAR systems commercially for over 40 years and focuses on pulsed time-of-flight laser radar technology in multiple wavelengths.
RIEGL’s core Smart-Waveform technologies provide pure digital LiDAR signal processing, unique methodologies for resolving range ambiguities, multiple targets per laser shots, optimum distribution of measurements, calibrated amplitudes and reflectance estimates, as well as the seamless integration and calibration of systems.
RIEGL’s Ultimate LiDARTM 3D scanners offer a wide array of performance characteristics and serve as a platform for continuing Innovation in 3D for the LiDAR industry.
From the first inquiry, to purchase and integration of the system, as well as training and support, RIEGL maintains an outstanding history of reliability and support to their customers.
Worldwide sales, training, support and services are delivered from RIEGL’s headquarters in Austria and in the USA; main offices in, Japan, China, Australia, Canada and the UK; and a worldwide network of representatives.
About Survtech
SurvTech Solutions is a geospatial firm headquartered in Tampa, Florida, with branch offices in Mulberry, Sanford, Jacksonville, Ft. Myers, and Ft. Pierce, Florida; Mobile and Decatur, Alabama; New Orleans, Louisiana; and Puerto Rico. Since 2004, SurvTech has provided geospatial services throughout Florida and the Southeastern US. Our services include conventional land surveying; hydrographic surveying (single beam, multi-beam, side scan, and interferometric); subsurface utility mapping (GPR, ERI & EM), including soft dig capability (vacuum excavation); 3D high definition laser scanning (terrestrial LiDAR) and 3D modeling; mobile interior mapping, utilizing SLAM Technology; geophysical mapping (sinkholes); Geographic Information Systems (GIS); aerial mapping utilizing unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV’s or drones), fixed-wing airplanes, and helicopters; and metrology and industrial machine alignment services. Currently, SurvTech operates a fleet of UAVs providing photogrammetry, aerial LiDAR, RBG, infrared, and multispectral imagery. SurvTech’s personnel are background-checked, OSHA HAZWOPER 40-hour, MSHA, and Phosphate certified, as well as TWIC and MICCS badged for working at all active mine, utility, and port sites. In a time when large corporations or equity companies are owning an increasing number of professional services companies, SurvTech is locally owned and operated in the Tampa Bay area. We started as a small locally owned business with the two founders and have grown to over ninety (90) employees.
Media Contacts
RIEGL USA
Abby Clark
Marketing Manager
321-245-2303
Survtech
Emily Falcone
Marketing Manager
efalcone@survtechsolutions.com