Airborne device developed for 3D land, water mapping

A new device developed by Chinese researchers enables high-definition, 3D surface modeling for both land and water, supporting environmental monitoring and resource surveying in complex landscapes.

The device, named GeologyObserver-1, is an airborne photon-counting LiDAR system designed for integrated land and sea remote sensing and intelligent detection.

LiDAR, which stands for Light Detection and Ranging, is a remote sensing method that uses light in the form of pulsed lasers to measure variable distances to the Earth. LiDAR systems generate precise, 3D information about the shape and surface characteristics of the Earth's terrain and objects.