Technologies for the Future: A Lidar Overview

Point clouds can be captured by an ever-increasing number of means to understand the surrounding reality and detect critical developments. Diverse applications of 3D laser scanning or'Lidar', which is a technology on a sky-rocketing path to be used for mapping and surveying, are changing the way we collect and refine topographic data. Which technologies and processes are building the capability for high-density 3D data? This article outlines the latest industry developments. National topographic databases store data refined from field measurements, imagery and laser scanning data at certain specifications and purposes, but lack the ability to adapt to ever-changing needs and situational awareness. 'Data on demand' is a recognized megatrend in the geospatial industry.