Topographic Survey
Capture a more comprehensive dataset and avoid expensive revisits
Rapid, accurate data collection that minimizes time in the field
With ever increasing demand across many industry sectors for accurate, up to date site data for new land development and future planning, topographic surveys have become a mainstay for many surveying companies. Yet traditional topographic survey capture and processing methods such as total stations can be slow, highly technical to operate, and don’t provide context of the entire site. This restricts the number of jobs that can be completed in a day.
Emesent’s topographic survey solution combines rapid data capture with high accuracy results to enhance workflow efficiencies and drive business value – ultimately improving competitiveness.
Traditional methods are slow and error prone
The use of traditional methods for topographic surveys, such as total stations and GNSS can require significant time to set up equipment, take measurements, and capture the survey area. This process can be slow and labor intensive, especially in large, difficult-to-access areas or challenging terrains such as dense vegetation or steep slopes – and is not always feasible, resulting in gaps in data coverage or an inability to effectively capture variations in terrain. Urban environments can also present unique challenges due to high traffic volumes, objects that obscure line of sight, and urban canyons which block satellite signals. Equipment loss or theft is also a common issue, causing loss of working time and delays on site, as well as the additional cost of replacement.
Use of drone photogrammetry is a common alternative for large area topographic surveys, however processing time is significant and this method is not suitable for data capture in highly vegetated areas as it is unable to penetrate below the tree canopy. Shadowing in urban environments can also present a challenge.
More recently the use of SLAM based methods has gained in popularity for rapid 3D capture, however SLAM too can have its limitations. Drift and slip can be a major challenge, decreasing scan accuracy when capturing long linear assets such as power lines and roadways. And manually georeferencing and aligning large scans is a time consuming, labor-intensive process which introduces potential for error.
Achieve rapid, accurate outputs at scale
Combining the power of Hovermap’s best in class SLAM technology with DJI’s next generation M350 drone or vehicle mounted RTK, Emesent’s solution delivers fast, accurate topographic surveys and site evaluation at scale. Extended range capabilities of up to 1 kilometer above ground line of sight flight, depending on configuration, allows large areas to be captured in one continuous scan improving efficiency, while live streaming of the point cloud ensures complete data capture without the need to make return trips to site. Automated georeferencing and drift correction optimizes accuracy, intelligently leveraging a combination of RTK and SLAM to ensure the most reliable, robust point cloud, while eliminating manual and error prone processes and accelerating end to end workflows. The data captured is easily imported in CAD software for drafting. For areas with drone flight restrictions, Hovermap can just as easily be deployed handheld or mounted to a vehicle.
Rapid data capture at scale
Increased competitiveness
Accurate results
Improved collaboration
Versatile deployment
Easy to use
“Emesent and the ST-X made it significantly easier and quicker to do a topographic survey.”
Garry Elali – Operations Manager, Geotwin
Key Features
| Extended range continuous scanning | Streamlined workflow | Automated georeferencing and drift correction |
|---|---|---|
| Long Range Radio allows scanning up to 20X further with up to 1km line of sight flight depending on configuration | Aura delivers processing and visualization in one intuitive platform | Reduce the need for ground control targets and eliminate error prone processes |
| Stream as you scan | 360 Colorization and image capture | Survey grade results |
|---|---|---|
| Real time 3D visualization of the environment via the Commander app | Add additional context to your point clouds and highlight areas of interest | Best in class SLAM, combined with automated georeferencing to further enhance results |
| Easy export | Set and forget processing | Versatile deployment |
|---|---|---|
| Import into standard CAD and survey packages including PointCab and Revit/AutoCAD | With automated cleaning tools that include moving objects filter | Plug and play design allows easy switching between platforms – handheld; attached to a drone, vehicle, or pole; lowered in a cage; or mounted to a backpack |
Case study
Rapid, comprehensive, versatile 3D data capture for a 2km roadway
When a topographic and tree survey needed to be conducted over 20 hectares along a main arterial route in Australia, the challenge was to execute without disrupting the flow of traffic.
Read how leading digital engineering service provider Geotwin completed this scan in just one day.