Nextcore announces next-generation UAV LiDAR unit

Nextcore is pleased to announce the release of its latest technology for UAV Lidar capture, the RN100.

The companies wholly-owned subsidiary, Airsight, originally developed a lightweight LiDAR (Light Direction and Ranging) unit in 2015 for installation on drones. Originally intended for its own use, the unit was offered as a standalone product from 2017, under the brand name of Nextcore. The most popular model, the RN50, has been delivered to survey and engineering consulting companies in Japan, the USA, Malaysia, India, New Zealand and Australia.

The RN100 incorporates the latest inertial navigation system from Australian company Advanced Navigation, the Certus Evo. Combined the Quanergy M8 Ultra the system is able to be flown at higher altitudes, reducing scanning time and increasing the safety margin between the drone and obstacles on the ground. Up to 80 hectares can be scanned in a single flight and the RN100 is especially suited to steep, rugged terrain with thick vegetation.

Nick Smith, the co-founder of Airsight and Vice President Sales for Nextcore, said,
“The RN series has been proven to withstand rugged environments, from the harsh environment of Northern Australia to difficult and challenging terrain across Asia. The custom software included with the system provides users with a combination of simple workflows and powerful levels of control of the survey data. We are utilising this technology in-house to improve our inspection times and coverage”

Ashley Cox, COO of Nextcore, commented:

“Our Nextcore LiDAR units are uniquely designed for drone-based surveying and are international leaders in lightweight, high-performance turn-key digital survey systems. Our team have now achieved a breakthrough in recording accuracy and speed in the RN100, while maintaining the same packaging and total 2.2Kg weight. By working with UAV manufacturers we are now able to provide a range of options for installing and operating the RN Series systems.

One of the things we pride ourselves on is our heritage in operating this equipment in real-world situations. Our goals aren’t to achieve nice specification sheets but to produce reliable and realistic results at a fraction of the cost of comparable units. “