My-Linh Truong, RIEGL USA’s Division Manager of Unmanned Laser Scanning (right), accepts the Innovation Vanguard Award on behalf of RIEGL. Presenting the award is Richard Thomas, Executive Editor at Inside Unmanned Systems
RIEGL has been named the winner of the Innovation Vanguard Award for “Innovator in Payload Technology” at AUVSI XPONENTIAL 2025. The award, organized by Inside Unmanned Systems, recognizes outstanding achievements in unmanned systems innovation and technological advancement.
RIEGL received this recognition for its miniVUX-series with integrated RiLOC®-E25, a payload that exemplifies cutting-edge design and performance. At the heart of this system is the RiLOC®-E25 subsystem, which tightly integrates a MEMS-based Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU), GNSS receiver, and RIEGL’s proprietary software—all within the compact miniVUX LiDAR housing. This seamless integration enables a streamlined, user-friendly workflow, with all post-processing handled through RIEGL’s RiPROCESS software suite, eliminating the need for third-party tools and significantly reducing operational complexity.
The system delivers high-speed data acquisition at up to 300,000 measurements per second, supports a full 360° field-of-view, and features multi-target resolution—allowing it to capture fine details in complex environments such as dense vegetation and urban infrastructure. These capabilities are powered by RIEGL’s Waveform-LiDAR technology, ensuring exceptional accuracy, precision, and data fidelity.
“We are incredibly proud to receive the Innovation Vanguard Award for “Innovator in Payload Technology, which I am accepting on behalf of my Austrian Technical Leads and Development Colleagues” said My-Linh Truong, RIEGL USA Division Manager of Unmanned Laser Scanning. “This recognition reflects our team’s unwavering dedication to advancing LiDAR technology and delivering solutions that truly meet the evolving needs of our clients and the geospatial industry. The development of the RIEGL RiLOC®-E25 technology is a clear example of our commitment to empowering UAV operators with greater flexibility, enhanced performance, and a streamlined user experience.”
Left: My-Linh Truong accepting the Innovation Vanguard Award on behalf of the RIEGL Team and thanking the Innovation Vanguard Award judging panel and Inside Unmanned Systems
Right: Innovation Vanguard Award presented to RIEGL for Innovator in Payload Technology Category
A Breakthrough in Payload Design
Left: RIEGL miniVUX-series with RiLOC®-E25
Right: RIEGL miniVUX-3UAV with RiLOC®-E25 mounted to an Inspired Flight UAV platform
The miniVUX with RiLOC®-E25 sets a new standard for UAV LiDAR payloads by combining compact form factor with powerful onboard processing and seamless software integration. Its lightweight, NDAA-compliant design makes it ideal for a wide range of commercial UAV platforms, offering unmatched performance in a cost-effective package.
Expanding Access to Advanced LiDAR
Designed with accessibility and scalability in mind, this solution opens new opportunities for small businesses, research institutions, and government agencies. Its compact size allows for integration with a variety of UAVs, while its affordability lowers the barrier to entry for high-precision geospatial data collection.
The innovation also paves the way for future advancements, including the newly introduced RIEGL RiLOC-F IMU/GNSS system, which extends compatibility across RIEGL’s VUX-series and VMY mobile mapping systems—enabling dual-use operations and greater operational efficiency.
Left: RIEGL VUX-10025 with RiLOC-F
Right: RIEGL VUX-10025 with RiLOC-F mounted to an Acecore Technologies UAV platform
RIEGL extends its sincere thanks to Inside Unmanned Systems and the Innovation Vanguard Awards judging panel for this recognition and looks forward to continuing to lead innovation in the unmanned systems industry.
About RIEGL:
RIEGL is an international leading provider of cutting-edge technology in airborne, mobile, terrestrial, industrial and UAV-based 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, Hong Kong, Australia, Canada, UK, South America, Germany, and France; and a worldwide network of representatives.