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A light detection and ranging( LiDAR) system is a remote sensing technology that uses laser pulses to measure distances and generate accurate 3D models of terrain and infrastructure. Mounted on drones, a LiDAR system scans the ground using a rotating mirror that directs laser beams side-to-side. As the laser pulses hit objects, like vegetation, land, or pipelines, they bounce back to the sensor, creating millions of data points that are processed into detailed elevation maps.
In the oil and gas and utility sectors, LiDAR is a powerful tool for right-of-way( ROW) inspections along pipeline corridors. It helps detect encroachments, vegetation overgrowth, erosion, and structural changes critical for maintaining asset integrity and regulatory compliance. LiDAR also supports long-term monitoring, change detection, and planning by providing fast, highresolution data over large, often remote, areas.
“ From inspections and surveillance flights to safety patrols and cargo deliveries to remote places, I genuinely believe our solution can replace all these use cases. We’ re already deploying drones to deliver urgently required spares to offshore rigs; these are the types of parts that have the potential to delay production and incur downtime. This is where the versatility of our solution comes into its own and these use cases can be met in parallel without the need for different types of drones.
“ It is this type of capability that our customers are already telling us they need. This is the future. In fact, it’ s already happening and we’ re just waiting for the jigsaw puzzle of regulatory approval to be completed. It’ s the operational complexity that takes time but we’ re at the point where we’ re accelerating real commercial contracts. We’ re beyond merely carrying out pilot projects,” Ulrich concludes.“ We have commercial contracts with some of the largest energy companies in the world and we believe in five or seven years there’ ll be far fewer manned flights for these use cases.” ■
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