Headwall integrates hyperspectral and lidar aboard unmanned aircraft

Headwall Photonics Inc. in Fitchburg, Mass., is introducing advanced sensor payloads consisting of hyperspectral sensors and laser radar for deployment on unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). Through the fusion of hyperspectral imaging data and 3D light detection and ranging (lidar) output, Headwall is using unmanned vehicles to address remote-sensing applications ranging from civil and military infrastructure inspection to crop science applications requiring discrete solutions for crop monitoring. The Headwall payload consists of a Hyperspec spectral imager, a lidar unit, a UAV, a high-performance Global Position System (GPS), inertial measurement unit (IMU), and software for data acquisition and work flow processing for exploitation. The combination of hyperspectral and lidar is especially powerful because the entire data set can be acquired on inexpensive UAV platforms with both sensor instruments operating simultaneously. For more information contact Headwall Photonics online at www.headwallphotonics.com.