LiDAR, an acronym for Light Detection and Ranging, is a remote sensing technique that uses light in the form of a pulsed laser to measure distances from the Earth. This technology has been around since the 1960s, when laser scanners were mounted on airplanes to measure the elevation of features. With the advent of commercially viable GPS systems in the late 1980s, LiDAR data became a valuable tool for providing accurate geospatial measurements. Nowadays, LiDAR is used in many industries, such as engineering and public safety. It is capable of mapping and measuring with precision the natural and constructed features of the Earth's surface, inside buildings, underground and in shallow water.
But what exactly does LiDAR measure?When the LiDAR system collects data, it is known as a point cloud. All the LiDAR data points are not ranked as to what they are affecting. In other words, LiDAR measures distances from Earth by emitting beams of light towards the ground surface. This data is then used to create three-dimensional models and digital elevations. To sum up, LiDAR is a powerful remote sensing technology that has been around for decades.
It has wide applications in many industries and is capable of mapping and measuring with precision the natural and constructed features of the Earth's surface. We hope that we have answered your questions about LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging).
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