What are the costs of using LiDAR sensors in drone mapping?

The most important cost is the hardware itself. Being a very dedicated sensor, most of your money will go into the hardware, which is the LiDAR sensor itself. Once you have your LiDAR sensor, you don't have to pay extra until and unless you want to use it with any third-party software.

Using LiDAR sensors in drone mapping involves various costs. The initial investment is significant, as high-quality LiDAR sensors are expensive, and the drones capable of carrying them tend to be larger and more costly. Operational expenses include hiring skilled personnel to manage the drone and LiDAR system and the costs for data processing and analysis. Maintenance of both the drone and the LiDAR equipment is essential for optimal performance, adding to ongoing costs. Additional expenses may arise from training, insurance, and securing necessary permits for drone operations. Overall, while LiDAR drone mapping provides high-quality data, it requires a substantial financial commitment in equipment, operation, and upkeep.

I think one element that can be lost is the battery aspect. I know on the our m600's, it's about $1200 for a set of bats and that gets you about 15 min of airtime. That's not acquisition time, only airtime. Not sure what GAMS needs to be done or how long it takes you to fly them. Also, how far past 20% bat life are you willing to fly? Just saying, if you want an hour of straight acquisition, it's gonna be a few sets of batteries.

I think the cost of the Lidar hardware prevents most from being able to work in the field. Is it worth it for me to burrow 15K to be able to offer something I'm not sure anyone is going to ask for?

Hardware costs for new (i.e. unused) LiDAR sensor payloads for sUAS range greatly from $10,000-$120,000+ for the most high-end systems that enable accurate photogrammetry captures. A significant majority of the cost in the more costly payloads rests in the precision capabilities and fine-tuned calibrations of the integrated inertial measurement units (IMUs), which commonly vary between 3 types: MEMS (Micro Electro-Mechanical Systems), FOG (Fiber Optic Gyros) and RLG (Ring Laser Gyros). Some LiDAR systems have deep integrations with a single or multiple sUAS manufacturers, which provide a cohesive, integrated workflow for capturing LiDAR data. Others function more as standalone units that simply utilize on-board connections for power.

Drone LiDAR training is highly industry-specific, with each sector requiring unique skills and software knowledge/expertise. In surveying and mapping, training focuses on geospatial data and topography, while construction and infrastructure emphasize safety and structural analysis. Agriculture training is about interpreting data for crop and soil health, and forestry and environmental monitoring concentrate on ecological data and environmental impact assessments. Emergency response and public safety training often involve rapid deployment and navigation in challenging environments. Capture mission planning and execution should accompany all trainings. Software training costs can vary widely depending on the software being used.

La formación es de los puntos mas complejos. Es necesario a aparte de cursos formalizados poder tener una amplia capacidad de aprendizaje autónomo.

Conducting LiDAR drone missions involves several operational costs. Transportation cost is a major component, covering equipment shipping and personnel movement & availability. For larger scale scan, the accessibility (i.e. terrain type) of target areas also affects costs, especially in hard-to-reach locations. BVLOS permissions and capabilities help resolve only certain issues related to the location of the scan. Additionally, the drone's capabilities influence expenses, with more expensive LiDAR systems incurring higher operational risk and insurance coverage. Other considerations include flight permissions, time of year, client requirements, routine maintenance, and operator capabilities. Even dependable RPICs get tired & need to rest.

Definitivamente los costos operativos son altos, debido a los tiempos muertos de desplazamiento mas que todo. Es importante tener clara la logística en campo para realizar múltiples vuelos, el rendimiento por tipo de drone y baterías así como la ejecución adecuada para no tener que repetir vuelos ya realizados.

Beyond the initial investment in LiDAR equipment, there are ongoing expenses for software updates and maintenance to ensure accurate and efficient data collection. Training staff to operate the system and interpret data can be significant, especially as technology evolves and new use cases arise. Data storage and processing requirements can be substantial, necessitating investment in robust computing resources or cloud storage solutions. Additionally, insurance costs may increase due to the high value of the equipment. Finally, to avoid legal possible legal issues, there should be strong consideration for what LiDAR processing & deliverables cross over into traditional survey work, which is regulated at the state level in the United States.

Es necesario tener un equipo altamente capacitado para poder operar y sacarle el mayor provecho a este tipo de inversiones y mas que todo tener clientes que entiendan el valor de la precisión que se les entregara para que de esa manera puedan sacarle el mayor provecho a los resultados obtenidos.