DJI introduces Zenmuse L3 to advance long-range Lidar drone surveying

DJI has expanded its enterprise portfolio with the launch of the Zenmuse L3, a long-range Lidar sensor designed to accelerate high-accuracy aerial surveying across large and complex environments. Positioned as a major step forward in DJI’s Lidar ambitions, the Zenmuse L3 combines a 1,535nm long-range Lidar module, dual 100MP RGB cameras and a high-precision positioning system. The result, according to DJI, is a single payload solution that delivers detailed terrain models, high-resolution imagery, and multiple mapping products in one flight.

The new Lidar system at the heart of the Zenmuse L3 is designed to maintain strong performance on low-reflectivity surfaces, with a detection range of 950m at a 100kHz pulse rate under 10% reflectivity and 100klx ambient light. Operators can adjust the pulse rate to balance power efficiency and data density. DJI specifies 5mm ranging repeatability at 150m (1σ), and vertical accuracy improvements support mapping scales down to 1:500.

Photogrammetric outputs

A 0.25mrad beam divergence enables detection of narrow features such as power lines, while up to 16 returns and two million points per second allow deeper canopy penetration. A new star-shaped scanning mode further enhances accuracy across wider fields of view in forested or urban environments.

The sensor’s dual 100MP 4/3-inch CMOS RGB cameras feature mechanical shutters and deliver imagery with a ground sample distance of 3cm at a 300m flight altitude. A 107° horizontal field of view enables significantly broader area coverage per capture, supporting photogrammetric outputs such as digital orthophoto maps alongside Lidar deliverables.

Topographic surveys and infrastructure monitoring

Integrated on the Matrice 400 platform, the Zenmuse L3 is designed for high-throughput mapping operations. DJI estimates up to 10km² can be captured per flight at typical operating altitudes and as much as 100km² per day, with reduced side-overlap requirements due to Lidar coverage. This positions the system for enterprise-scale applications including topographic surveys, forestry operations, infrastructure corridors and cultural heritage documentation.

The Zenmuse L3 integrates directly into DJI’s software and hardware ecosystem. When paired with the D-RTK 3 Multifunctional Station and enterprise platforms such as DJI Pilot 2, Terra, Modify and FlightHub 2, operators can progress from data acquisition to analysis and reporting without third-party integrations. DJI states its aim is to simplify professional Lidar adoption by avoiding the complexity commonly associated with multi-vendor toolchains – a barrier often cited by organizations transitioning beyond traditional photogrammetry.

The growth of drone-based Lidar mapping

Drone-based Lidar mapping continues to evolve rapidly, reducing manual processing requirements while delivering higher data reliability and more precise detection of complex objects. With increasing automation, expanded machine-learning data extraction and increasingly lightweight survey payloads, the technology is seeing growing adoption across civil engineering, environmental management and asset inspection. With the Zenmuse L3, DJI aims to strengthen its position in a growing segment of geospatial operations – where long-range performance, accuracy and operational efficiency are becoming equally critical benchmarks.