LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging)

LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) is an active remote sensing technology that uses laser pulses to measure distances to surfaces, generating high-resolution three-dimensional data of physical environments. It enables precise and efficient mapping of terrain, structures, and vegetation.

A LiDAR system emits rapid laser pulses—often hundreds of thousands per second—towards a target surface. The system calculates the distance based on the time it takes for each pulse to return after reflecting off an object. These measurements are combined with GPS and inertial data to generate an accurate 3D point cloud representing the scanned environment.

LiDAR can be mounted on various platforms such as drones (UAVs), aircraft, vehicles, or tripods for terrestrial scanning. There are different types of LiDAR including aerial (topographic), bathymetric (underwater terrain using green laser), and mobile or terrestrial LiDAR for close-range applications.

LiDAR data is widely used in industries such as construction, surveying, forestry, urban planning, mining, archaeology, autonomous navigation, and digital twin creation. It is especially valued for its ability to penetrate vegetation and capture ground surfaces in detail, making it an essential tool for generating terrain models, detecting changes, and supporting infrastructure design and maintenance.

See also: Laser Scanning, Geodesy, Digital Terrain Model, GNSS