3D mapping and photogrammetry sensor payload for unmanned aerial vehicles

Abstract

Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) have shown great potential for data collection and monitoring of areas. Sensors such as LiDARs and cameras can be used on UAVs for high-resolution data collection and used for various applications like Digital Surface Models (DSM), photogrammetry, inspection systems, and maintenance applications. This paper describes the design and implementation of a sensor payload for UAVs using a LiDAR sensor, camera, Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU), and Global Positioning System (GPS). The payload collects data that can be used to georeference LiDAR and camera data, which can later be used to generate a georeferenced map and perform object detection and classification.