XactSense to Fly Velodyne’s New Lidar Puck

XactSense has developed a new platform for low-altitude aerial mapping using the newly released Velodyne Lidar VLP-16 puck. According to the American company, which is based in Rhode Island, drone mapping for the masses is now here. The new multi-laser puck builds on Velodyne’s reputation for small, lightweight Lidar, and XactSense’s founder, Andy Trench, described this next-generation sensor as a game changer since companies of all sizes can now afford to utilise the emergent drone technology.

In anticipation of the low-cost laser's release, XactSense designed a new adaptable folding 8-rotor UAV called the MAX8. This platform integrated the industry's only electro-stabilised Lidar gimbal with thermal and high-resolution cameras, aimed to outperform other systems in terms of features and flexibility. The resulting mapping drone is a low-cost option for people looking for more than just a photo or video from their UAV investment, XactSense claims.

The new system is designed for a wide variety of missions including gas pipe line inspection, DOT and engineering projects, power line corridor mapping, and cell tower surveying.

Recognition

XactSense offers turnkey UAV aircraft, geospatial scanning, and sensor integration solutions. Their GPS-free UAV surveying platform gained XactSense recognition as robotics and disruptive technology innovators in a rapidly growing market. XactSense is often seen showing off its real-time mapping to the audience at conferences like the International Lidar Mapping Forum (ILMF). It will also be present at the upcoming SPAR and AUVSI tradeshows, alongside other forward-thinking companies like Skycatch and Airware.

Wolfgang Juchmann, director of sales and marketing at Velodyne's Lidar division, commented that he is very impressed with the demonstration of the XactSense Titan/HDL-32E platform at the California headquarters earlier this year. The integration of the recently released VLP-16 in a very short amount of time is almost unbeatable, Juchmann added.