By purchasing a next-generation Leica ALS80 LIDAR sensor, Digital Aerial Solutions significantly increases its capacity to meet the requirements demanded by high-accuracy large-area topographical mapping projects.
NORCROSS, GA, FEBRUARY 18, 2015 Leica Geosystems Inc. today announced that Digital Aerial Solutions (DAS), a woman-owned small business based in Tampa, Fla., is the first company in North America to purchase the ALS80 laser scanner. The ALS80 augments the companys current data collection capabilities consisting of three Leica ADS sensors and one Leica ALS60 laser scanner.
DAS specializes in large-area photogrammetric data acquisition for a variety of mapping, GIS, engineering and land use applications. This latest acquisition is a continuation of our 13-year business relationship with Leica Geosystems, said Mona Kristensen, President, Digital Aerial Solutions. We are very excited to add the ALS80 LIDAR technology to our current suite of Leica Geosystems sensors. The ALS80 significantly improves our competitive position to successfully participate in the geospatial surveying and topographical mapping markets and enhances our ability to meet our clients requirements.
DAS purchased an ALS60 LiDAR system in December 2009. During five years of operations, this system has provided excellent coverage and high quality point cloud data. In early 2014, DAS invested in a Leica ALS70-HP airborne LIDAR sensor. When the Leica ALS80, with its next-generation airborne laser scanner with industry leading pulse rates of up to 1.0 mHz was announced, DAS was eager to be an early adopter of this technological advance. They upgraded the ALS70-HP to an ALS80-HP and gained a competitive advantage in the industry.
From a long-time user perspective, we continue to invest in the Leica Geosystems technology because there is a clear road map for technology innovation both in aerial data acquisition hardware and processing software, said Mike Wasielewski, VP and General Manager, Digital Aerial Solutions.
Shawn Slade, who manages sales of aerial sensor systems for Leica Geosystems adds, I am proud to continue a long standing business partnership with DAS. Also, I am thrilled to see DAS aggressively pursuing being a front runner in the geospatial market. Last year they invested in both an ALS70-HP LiDAR sensor and an ADS100 digital sensor, and now the ALS80-HP, putting them at the forefront of technology.
DAS aircraft fleet consists of three high-performance twin-engine aircraft. The ALS80 helps achieve maximum collection efficiency by operating well at higher ground speeds and possessing a greater field of view for large area data acquisition while maintaining the required point density. The ALS80 allows for easy installation and total integration into DAS existing LIDAR flight planning and production workflow solution.
After gaining experience with the ALS60 and seeing the benefits of having an ALS70-HP, it became evident that the ALS80 LIDAR sensor would improve our ability to meet increasing client demands, said Kristensen. The Leica ALS80 provides added efficiency, performance and accuracy for our high-resolution topographical mapping solutions.
The point density multiplier enables us to increase the amount of data collected without increasing the amount of time to collect. The increased collection rate equates to fewer flight lines and reduced acquisition time to achieve the same high quality product, said Joshua K. Helton, VP and Assistant General Manager, Digital Aerial Solutions. The ALS80 allows us to fly 20 to 30 percent more efficiently than with the ALS70. Not only is this beneficial to our current clients, but it will also open up new markets within DOT, utilities, and engineering.
In addition, the ALS80 shows DAS commitment to support current and future clients with the best technology available, Helton continued. The ALS80 will carry us to a performance level not often seen in our industry from a small business.
Leica Geosystems strives to support our customers by continuously improving our technology, said Jean Gardiner, General Manager of Leica Geospatial Solutions. The ALS LIDAR product line provides Digital Aerial Solutions with the level of flexibility and productivity to serve clients at a high level of quality.
For more information about airborne sensor solutions, visit www.leica-geosystems.us.
Image: A raw point cloud from sample data capturedin Williston, FL, with the ALS80. TheLIDAR point density is 6 points per square meter. Image courtesy of Digital Aerial Solutions.
Digital Aerial Solutions, LLC
Digital Aerial Solutions (DAS) (www.digitalaerial.com) provides high-resolution digital aerial imagery for photogrammetric mapping, GIS, engineering and land use applications. DAS acquired its first Leica ADS40 (SH51) large-format imaging system in 2003 and a second system (SH52) in 2005. In 2013, DAS added a Leica ADS80 (SH91) large-format digital imaging sensor to its data acquisition resources, and an ADS100 in June 2014. The company was among the first US mapping companies to adopt an end-to-end digital imaging and processing system.
In 2009, DAS added the Leica ALS60 LiDAR system, and in 2014 the ALS70, subsequently upgraded to the ALS80. These scanners support topographic, flood plain mapping, storm water and natural resource management applications. The LiDAR projects conform to USGS LiDAR, FEMA Flood Hazard Mapping and ASPRS Guidelines. DAS is a Small Woman-Owned Business licensed as a Florida Professional Survey and Mapping company.
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