Showcase
What You See Is What You Measure | Mid-360 Assists Handheld Scanners in High-Precision Measurement
2024-12-3As technology develops and matures, the range of products related to three-dimensional LiDAR scanning technology has been expanding and is now widely applied across various industries. Taking the handheld 3D LiDAR scanner from a well-known Chinese brand as an example, this scanner is equipped with Livox's Mid-360 hemispherical non-repetitive 3D LiDAR, which provides an efficient and high-precision 3D modeling solution for surveying and mapping work in both indoor and outdoor environments.
Three-dimensional LiDAR scanning technology, also known as "reality capture technology," can quickly and accurately acquire the three-dimensional coordinate data of the surface of the object being measured and present it in a visualized point cloud form. It has the advantages of high efficiency, high precision, and high completeness.
As technology develops and matures, the range of products related to three-dimensional LiDAR scanning technology has been expanding and is now widely applied across various industries. Taking the handheld 3D LiDAR scanner from a well-known Chinese brand as an example, this scanner is equipped with Livox's Mid-360 hemispherical non-repetitive 3D LiDAR, which provides an efficient and high-precision 3D modeling solution for surveying and mapping work in both indoor and outdoor environments.
The Handheld 3D Scanner Equipped with Livox Mid-360 LiDAR
Handheld Scanner Equipped with Mid-360 for Efficient Acquisition of High-Precision Data
The handheld 3D LiDAR scanner features an integrated lightweight body that incorporates multiple modules such as the Mid-360 LiDAR, a visible light camera, and RTK. It is capable of rapidly processing massive amounts of point cloud and visible light image data. In the field, surveyors can preview the scanning results in real-time after completing the scan to ensure data completeness and avoid the need for rework.
Real-Time Preview of Point Cloud Results
Unlike the conventional horizontal or vertical deployment methods, the Mid-360 LiDAR on this scanner is installed at a 20° tilt to the ground, allowing it to cover multiple orientations including the ground, the area ahead, and the ceiling. During operation, field personnel do not need to deliberately adjust the angle and repeat the process, enabling omnidirectional data collection and enhancing the efficiency of each scanning operation.
Install MID-360 LiDAR at a 20° Tilt to the Ground
For field personnel, it is often necessary to carry equipment for long-duration measurement tasks. If the equipment is too bulky, it will increase the workload. Most traditional mechanical multi-line LiDAR systems weigh close to 1 kilogram, and with additional components, the entire handheld mapping instrument can weigh several kilograms and be quite large in size, making it not only inconvenient to carry but also providing a suboptimal user experience.
Unlike traditional mapping instruments, this handheld mapping device is equipped with a lightweight and portable MID-360 LiDAR (weighing only 256g and measuring 6.5x6.5x6cm), supporting single-person independent handheld operation. This not only makes it easy to carry but also effectively reduces the burden of use, thereby enhancing the operating experience.
While reducing size and weight, the MID-360 still maintains strong product performance: it has a super wide field of view of 360°x59°, a point cloud output capability of 200,000 points per second, a wider scanning range, and higher efficiency. Its range can reach up to 70m@80% (40m@10%), and it is compatible with both indoor and outdoor mapping operations. It can accurately measure every detail of the target area, meeting a variety of mapping needs.
The MID-360 Has a 360° Omnidirectional Ultra-Wide Field of View.
Compared to traditional mechanical LiDAR systems that can easily cost tens of thousands, the price of the MID-360 is only $749, significantly reducing the cost of production and application, and aiding in the widespread adoption of handheld mapping devices.
The Handheld Scanner
Diverse Application Scenarios: "What You See Is What You Measure"
Currently, the applications for this handheld scanner have become increasingly diversified. We have selected its use in old district renovation projects, offshore power transmission tower platform modeling, and cultural heritage protection to see how it performs.
1. Old Street Renovation Project: LiDAR scanning of the area to obtain centimeter-level point cloud models.
A city has introduced an urban renewal policy to renovate old districts. However, with the development of the city, there is a significant discrepancy between the old blueprints and the actual buildings, roads, and other infrastructure, necessitating the acquisition of a real-world 3D model of the district and the creation of new blueprints.
The traditional method of obtaining blueprints usually requires the use of a measuring tape to measure dimensions. This method is inefficient, prone to larger errors, and susceptible to omissions. If certain data are missed, it necessitates rework and measurement, which affects work efficiency.
In the old district renovation project of the city, the staff used handheld mapping instruments, utilizing LiDAR scanning of the renovation area to obtain high-precision, centimeter-level point cloud data.
The handheld mapping instrument is equipped with the MID-360 3D LiDAR, which has a wide field of view and long range, bringing an efficient operational experience: previously, it required 3 people to spend 7 days collecting data, and then another person to spend 7 days modeling; now, it only takes 1 person 1 day to collect data, and another person 1 day to model, significantly improving work efficiency while also reducing labor input.
Point Cloud Map of a Certain Old Street Renovation Project
Design of the District Based on the Point Cloud Model(This Is a Rendering of the Design Effect)
2. Offshore Power Transmission Tower Platform Modeling: Efficient, Convenient, and Precise Measurement
For surveying needs in special scenarios, handheld mapping instruments that are highly accurate and flexible play a key role. Recently, an offshore power transmission tower platform near the Nansha Bridge was planned for demolition and reconstruction, requiring a high-precision model of the platform to facilitate the next steps in construction.
The platform was built in 1979, and the construction blueprints were hand-drawn, resulting in low precision. Moreover, the platform has been subjected to long-term erosion by seawater and rain, and the existing documentation can no longer accurately describe its structure. Additionally, under the special environmental conditions of an offshore platform, using traditional measurement methods, such as setting up total stations and prisms, faces significant difficulties and high costs.
The staff used the handheld scanner to scan the real-world 3D model of the platform. By precisely obtaining the coordinates of each key point, they successfully calculated the accurate positions of the centers of each fixed pile, thereby aiding the smooth installation of the tower crane. Compared to setting up traditional total stations, using a handheld mapping instrument can save 80% of the cost and double the efficiency.
Determine the Platform Position Corresponding to the Center of the Fixed Pile Through Control Points.
The Output of Point Cloud
3. Cultural Heritage Protection: Real-Time Fusion of Point Cloud and Visible Light to Construct 3D Models of Ancient Buildings
The handheld mapping instrument integrates the MID-360 LiDAR and a visible light camera, capable of real-time fusion of point cloud data with visible light data. After importing the collected true-color point cloud data into professional modeling software, a 3D model of the ancient building is constructed.
In the Nine Dragon Wall model reconstruction project, the staff used the handheld LiDAR instrument to collect data and rebuild a detailed model, with the dragon scales clearly visible. This model not only accurately reflects the appearance and structure of the ancient building, facilitating researchers to observe and analyze from different perspectives and for digital archiving; but also, the 3D architectural model is gradually used in game scene development, not only shortening the development cycle but also bringing a more realistic immersive experience to users.
Nine Dragon Wall Point Cloud Model
The 3D LiDAR handheld scanner provides a novel technical means for the reconstruction of 3D models. As one of the most important modules of the handheld scanner, the MID-360 LiDAR is not only compact in size but also boasts numerous advantages such as an ultra-wide FOV (Field of View), dense point clouds, and more. It aids in efficiently obtaining high-precision surveying results, reducing costs and increasing efficiency for users.
Livox Technology Company Limited (Livox) is an independent company founded through DJI's internal incubation program and dedicated to the development of 3D lidar technology.
Livox was founded in 2016 with the resolve to break through technological barriers in the lidar industry and reduce the threshold for mass production by producing high-quality, reliable, and cost-efficient lidar sensors that can be applied in a wide range of fields, including the automotive industry, smart cities, surveying and mapping, and mobile robots.
Over the past few years, Livox has applied for 587 patents for its unique sensor designs and rotating mirror hybrid solid-state lidar technology. Since the Mid product series was rolled out in January 2019, Livox has served more than 1500 customers, from 26 countries and regions, including the United States, Canada, China, Japan, and the European Union.