A Swiss-Austrian consortium will take a look at large-area laser scanning functions within the Swiss Alps, utilizing revolutionary drones. The companions are Dufour Aerospace, RIEGL, BSF Swissphoto and the SLF, who will collaborate for a sequence of take a look at flights over a number of months.
There may be rising curiosity amongst varied non-public and public stakeholders in high-resolution, up-to-date and cost-effective knowledge, significantly within the space of alpine environmental hazards or power manufacturing. As we speak, aeroplanes and helicopters are used for large-scale, high-resolution laser scanning. This take a look at sequence will reveal the effectivity of drone software with a view to a decrease environmental affect and important price reductions.
Dufour Aerospace will help the undertaking with its 3-metre-wingspan AeroMini and 6-metre-wingspan Aero2 UAS platforms. RIEGL will present the laser scanners and assist with the mixing. BSF Swissphoto will contribute to knowledge validation and assess the business relevance of the know-how and the processes. The WSL-Institute for Snow and Avalanche Analysis SLF will be sure that the information high quality meets high quality necessities, and serves utilized science use instances and helps the sector take a look at with skilled personnel.
Dufour Aerospace Co-founder and CEO Thomas Pfammatter mentioned: “It is a unbelievable alternative to reveal the capabilities of our AeroMini and Aero2 vertical take-off-and-landing uncrewed aerial methods in related functions. We’ll have a shared, clear goal of accelerating effectivity in knowledge technology medium and long-term, supported by famend, skilled companions. We will’t wait to begin.”
RiCOPTER UAV GmbH (a RIEGL firm) Managing Director Michael Mayer mentioned: “Whereas we have already got quite a lot of expertise with utilizing our high-end sensors with UAS, that is these days largely restricted to smaller areas utilizing multicopter sorts, single-rotor drones or VTOLs of smaller scale. This undertaking will assist us to grasp the potential of drones in bigger scale, overlaying giant software areas with a view to exploit the efficiency of our high-end units much more. As a quality-conscious high-end producer of laser scanners, we’re predestined to contribute our experience.”
BSF Swissphoto CEO Jörg Wertli mentioned: “For a while, drones have been round for aerial geo knowledge acquisition, however solely usable for small areas. Dufour Aerospace develops a platform appropriate for tasks that may solely be realised with crewed planes immediately. The deliberate take a look at sequence lays the idea for autonomous, giant space aerial geo knowledge acquisition. We’re excited to be a part of it.”
WSL-Institute for Snow and Avalanche Analysis SLF, Dr. Yves Bühler mentioned: “As a number one nationwide analysis institute, we depend on up-to-date, cost-effective and high-quality knowledge for our personal analyses in addition to for providers. We’re happy to signify the utilized science aspect of this take a look at setup and to contribute our expertise in excessive alpine terrain. We’re satisfied that a lot progress continues to be attainable, particularly within the area of snow- and mountain hazard analysis.“
The take a look at sequence is predicted to start this spring in Dübendorf, Switzerland, with primary practical exams and can then be prolonged to the Alpine area in the midst of 2024 and 2025, relying on the outcomes from every particular person take a look at sequence. This undertaking can also be supported by the Fondation The Ark and armasuisse.
About Dufour Aerospace:
Dufour Aerospace develops environment friendly and sustainable plane for cargo transportation, logistics and public security. It makes use of distributed electrical propulsion and a hybrid module to have the ability to meet immediately’s Superior Air Mobility and medium-sized drone market necessities. The corporate was included in 2017 and has its headquarters in Visp, Switzerland, with a design workplace and flight testing amenities in Dübendorf, Switzerland. Presently, Dufour Aerospace employs 47 staff.
About RIEGL:
With greater than 40 years of expertise within the analysis, improvement and manufacturing of laser rangefinders, distance meters, and LiDAR sensors and methods, RIEGL is continually innovating within the area of 3D measurement know-how.
We mix our highly effective laser scanners and laser scanning methods for terrestrial, industrial, cellular, airborne, bathymetric and UAV-based laser scanning with specifically developed RIEGL software program packages for knowledge acquisition and processing to create methods optimized for probably the most difficult surveying duties.
Based mostly on RIEGL’s Final LiDAR know-how, RIEGL UAV LiDAR sensors and methods provide a variety of features to fulfill the necessities of the assorted duties of UAV-based knowledge acquisition in surveying. The wide selection of units distributed by RiCOPTER UAV GmbH, a RIEGL Group firm, permits customers to search out precisely the correct sensor for his or her particular surveying job.
RIEGL has at all times been dedicated to delivering the best efficiency, high quality, reliability, and longevity of all its services, and strict adherence to relevant worldwide requirements is a precedence.
www.riegl.com
About BSF Swissphoto:
BSF Swissphoto is a Swiss-German service supplier for airborne surveying. We purchase geo knowledge utilizing fashionable, sustainable plane and newest know-how sensors, each giant format cameras and laser scanners. With a various workforce unfold throughout the three areas in Berlin, Zagreb and Zurich, we ship varied merchandise primarily based on the acquired knowledge, starting from conventional Orthophotos, excessive precision elevation fashions to finish 3D metropolis visualisation. Along with our core enterprise of airborne surveying, we seek the advice of governments within the area of land administration.
www.bsf-swissphoto.com
About WSL-Institute for Snow and Avalanche Analysis SLF:
The SLF is well-known worldwide as a number one analysis institute in its area. Together with primary analysis, the SLF performs utilized analysis and supplies varied providers, such because the Avalanche Bulletin. The SLF carries out superior analysis whereas on the identical time contributing to the decision of pressing social points, reminiscent of warning of pure hazards or analysing climatic and environmental modifications in mountain areas.
Analysis for individuals and the surroundings:
- The SLF displays and researches the situation, origin and evolution of pure hazards, snow, permafrost and mountain ecological methods.
- The SLF develops ideas, methods and particular measures to guard populations towards pure hazards, specifically avalanches.
- The SLF develops sustainable options for socially related points, in collaboration with companions within the scientific and social sectors.
The SLF is a part of the Swiss Federal Analysis Institute WSL, making it a part of the ETH area.
www.slf.ch
