The EIC Accelerator project “Green LiDAR” (GLiDAR) enabled the development of a very unique 3D Multispectral perception solution. Based on the first worldwide 3D Multispectral LiDAR, it allows human and machines to perceive their environment in 3D, day and night, at high resolution, at distances of up to 300m and in with 4 colors in the Short Wave Infrared band (SWIR)). In the areas of Agriculture, Mining/Construction, Airports, Automated vehicles, the spectral power of this solution reveals in 3D at long distances the chemical composition of elements, for natural resources usage optimization and carbon footprint reduction.
This lidar technology is based on a proprietary laser technology.
In addition to common LiDAR features (3D mapping, volume measurement), the spectral power helps human and machine to recognize objects based on their reflectance in 4 sub-band of the SWIR band, corresponding to the fingerprint of their chemical composition. With adequate software it can sort out metal, different plastics, wood versus stone, living wood/dead wood, different kinds of stones….
It monitors at distance water content and soil moisture level measurement was demonstrated in GLiDAR, opening the door to a better irrigation water management in agriculture by monitoring automatically at distance the moisture of soils. It was shown that up to 30% of water could be saved in orchards irrigation for example with a proper way to monitor water reserve of soils/ needs of trees.
At the difference of Multispectral cameras, the solution is based on a laser illuminating actively the scene. Spectral measurements (absolute reflectivity) can be done in any light conditions at long distance without any other calibration than the one made at the factory. In addition the GLiDAR Multispectral LiDAR is very low noise and is able to make very high resolution 3D maps in a few seconds.
The GLiDAR project started within the company Outsight, and was then transferred to IRIDESENSE which took over the Multispectral LiDAR solution and corresponding IP. IRIDESENSE is a French fast growing startup which is bringing the 3D Multispectral solution to the market thanks to partnerships and tests with various customers.
With its unique technology, the target of IRIDESENSE is to become a market leader for machines (heavy duty) and drone LiDAR based applications, by providing its unique spectral power of matter analysis in addition to the usual features of LiDARs (3D, distance, volume, obstacle detection).
