GEOmedia_3_2016 special issue for INTERGEO

INTERGEO
Fig. 7 - 3D data
of a vehicle
captured with
the ZEB-REVO
in minutes.
The suspicious
package is highlighted
red.
From the data collected, the
team were able to create a cmaccurate
digital elevation model
(DEM) spanning 100s of square
metres. This data is then being
used to measure the outputs of
methane (CH 4
) from these areas
of felled forestry.
Another study, conducted in
relation with the University of
Leicester, involves the mapping
of varying forestry habitats
across the UK. The aim of this
study is to make comparisons
between different forestry habitats
across the UK, and also to
combine the data captured with
the handheld ZEB-REVO with
data captured from above, using
spaceborne-rader and UAVbased
imagery.
On a simpler note, both ZEB
units can be utilised to rapidly
and accurately scan an area of
forestry, to obtain the point
cloud data, and to make cuts or
sections in the data at certain
heights. One such important
height is the breast height diameter
(BHD), which is a measurement
taken at 4.5 foot from
the ground. This measurement
is then used to create an estimate
for the biomass of the area
of forestry in question.
Security and Contingency
Mapping
A final and possibly unexpected
use for both ZEB units
is in the ever-growing realm
of security. In an increasingly
uncertain world, governments,
police forces, security agencies
and indeed even companies are
increasingly security-conscious
and are turning to new technologies
to increase their security.
ZEB1 units have been in use by
a number of police forces since
their launch in 2013. Their
speed, ease of use and high
mobility make them the perfect
tool for capturing the details of
a crime scene, accident scene, or
for mapping a building or site
of interest. In the case where
speed is of the essence (for example,
after a RTC on a major
road) the ZEB unit can be deployed
in seconds, with a scan
complete in a few minutes. This
allows for a fully 3 dimensional
image, accurate to within a few
centimetres, to be gained.
The development of the autonomous
ZEB-REVO
has obvious benefits in
these areas. In the case
of a crime scene, the polemounted
ZEB-REVO may be
deployed, to ensure that areas
of interest are not touched or
disturbed.
Where there is a risk to human
health (for example, a bomb
threat, or an unsecure building),
the REVO can be trolley
mounted (as in mining) and
sent in alone to scan the area of
interest.
It is our prediction that the
realms of security and reconnaissance,
there will be increasing
demand for this type of
rapid, mobile, versatile surveying
tools.
The Future
So what does the future hold
for GeoSLAM? In a rapidly
growing, rapidly changing
industry, standing still is
quite simply not an option.
GeoSLAM will continue to
respond to new challenges, new
technological developments,
and to identify new areas of application.
Be sure to pay attention
to forthcoming GeoSLAM
announcements, to hear more
about these highly exciting developments
in the pipeline.
KEYWORDS
GeoSLAM; ZEB-REVO; scan
ABSTRACT
GeoSLAM is a manufacturer and supplier
of handheld, 3D mobile mapping
systems. Founded in 2012 and
headquartered in the UK, GeoSLAM now
has a global distribution network of 35
distributors across six continents.
AUTHOR
Stuart Cadge,
Pre Sales Engineer at GeoSLAM
For more information, please visit
www.geoslam.com
info@geoslam.com
Fig. 8 - Point
cloud data of an
area of forestry
with a section
taken at BHD
height for biomass
Special Supplement to GEOmedia Journal Issue n°3-2016 25
calculation.