Why we're excited about mobile LiDAR
A #12DaysofBIMmas blog
LiDAR technology is nothing new, having been a standard feature of iOS devices since the iPhone 12. In fact, the base technology dates back as far as the mid-1900s. Though very much in its conceptual infancy, handheld LiDAR technology is beginning to offer the prospect of useful application both in a business setting and in the mainstream.
What is LiDAR?
Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) is a form of laser scanning. The laser scans by hitting objects and then returning to the source (measuring distance at the same time).
Business benefits of mobile LiDAR
The very fact that the LiDAR scanner is in the palm of your hand offers immediate flexibility for the user. It moves as the user does, without the restriction of a tripod. It’s also remarkably accessible. Available software applications like Sitescape and Polycam (more later) can be explored without costly training courses, meaning a user journey into spatial exploration can begin without barriers to entry. They’re incredibly fast too – expect a mobile LiDAR scan to be available within a matter of minutes. Speed, efficiency and cost are all big drivers of the technology for business.
Software Spotlight: Polycam
Polycam claims to offer streamlined workflows to the Architecture, Engineering and Construction industries. The software can be used to scan entire sites or properties and outputs an instant 3D model. One of its core benefits is the ability to accurately measure any dimension from a 3D model after leaving site. For a business like Exyte Hargreaves which combines off site manufacture with on site installation, there are clear benefits to having an exact 3D model available for teams who may not physically be on site.
Software Spotlight: SiteScape
Excitingly, at the time of writing, SiteScape has been acquired by Faro who we are already collaborating with for digital transformation projects. The combination of a Faro 3D point cloud scanner (Tripod based LiDAR) and SiteScape (3D mobile LiDAR) is another step on the journey to BIM utopia. Its ability to export into Revit closes the loop between BIM, CAD, Manufacturing and Site Teams, making common data environments real.
