How Sony’s LR1 Professional Camera Supports the Future of Surveying
Arcsky, a provider of safe, reliable, high-performance unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) recently created an integrated solution with Sony Electronics’ new LR1 full-frame interchangeable lens camera (ILC), to support EverestLiDAR, a company focused on drone mapping, data collection, and services targeting the surveying and construction industries. A Texas-based company founded by Raul Garcia and Raul Rincon, the EverestLiDAR team is dedicated to delivering exceptionally accurate results to help their clients make informed decisions, whether it’s for construction site monitoring, road topographic surveys, apartment complex 3D modeling, or other commercial use cases.
Traditional surveying methods for these types of jobs are very time-consuming and potentially dangerous, especially in populated areas. The process usually involves surveyors standing near traffic, performing meticulous data collection such as topographic surveys, identifying potential obstacles, addressing environmental concerns, and ensuring accurate horizontal and vertical alignments. In heavy traffic areas, the traditional survey method is not only dangerous for the surveyors performing these tasks but can also cause disruptions to traffic flow if not planned accordingly.
To overcome these challenges, Raul Garcia and his team at EverestLiDAR decided to integrate drone technology into their surveying workflow. According to Raul, the use of drones in surveying greatly boosts the productivity of his team. A section of road construction that used to take days or weeks to survey can now be done in one morning.
However, as the business and the projects quickly scaled, the platform they started off using became a barrier due to the limited flight time of the aircraft and the lower resolution of the camera system. This restricted them from taking on larger scale projects. To solve this bottleneck, they acquired Arcsky’s X55 drone and added it into their surveying equipment fleet. The payload they use for photogrammetry missions is Sony’s LR1 surveying package built by Arcsky. This setup is a complete surveying and mapping payload system, with built-in geotagging capabilities, live video feed, and camera/gimbal control via the standard X55 controller.
Flight Time
This solution, combined with 22 Ah semi-solid-state batteries, allows EverestLiDAR to achieve over an hour of flight time. According to Raul, they used to spend half a day mapping a 3-mile section of a road construction site with multiple launch points. With the Arcsky X55 using Sony’s LR1, they can finish the entire scan in a single flight, greatly improving workflow efficiency.
Sony’s LR1 benefits
The combination of Arcsky’s X55 with Sony’s LR1 is truly a game-changing experience. The 61MP image sensor allows EverestLiDAR to capture images in great detail, enabling them to fly higher and to cover larger areas in a single flight while still maintaining image quality. The simplicity and ease of use of the LR1, combined with its lightweight design, truly make this package the ultimate solution for surveying needs. Paired with the streamlined design of the drone, the LR1’s lighter payload contributes to a critical increase in flight time.
As an ILC, the LR1 is compatible with an extensive lineup of E-mount lenses to enable users to flexibly accommodate a range of survey targets and flying altitudes, including 24mm, 35mm, 40mm, and 50mm. Featuring a full-frame image sensor, the LR1 combines high resolution with high dynamic range and high sensitivity. The camera’s software-enabled geotagging supports accurate and precise image analysis and is another important benefit that accommodates the needs of surveying and mapping applications.
Payload Modularity
The 12mm payload rail system of the Arcsky X55 makes this a versatile platform for a variety of industrial uses. Clients like EverestLiDAR can quickly swap Sony’s LR1 package for LiDAR packages such as the Hesai XT32 in a matter of minutes, allowing them to go from doing photogrammetry missions to LiDAR missions with minimal downtime and effort. This helps streamline their workflow, enabling them to fly the same mission with the same platform.
Power Module Modularity
According to Raul Garcia, the option of being able to use the Hybrid Module in the future provides peace of mind. Knowing that their business needs will evolve over time, and that the Arcsky X55 is versatile not only in terms of payloads but also in its ability to swap from the Battery Module to the Hybrid Module for longer flight times, they are confident that this platform will enable them to maximize their ROI and provide a pathway for scaling up the business.
