Drawing internal maps of narrow, inaccessible areas is helpful for factory operators and others, but drones flying in such places are easy to crash The Elios 3 four axis aircraft with lidar and "cage" was designed with this challenge in mind
In 2013, the technology behind Elios series UAVs was first disclosed, when engineers at the Federal Institute of Technology (EPFL) in Lausanne, Switzerland announced a prototype. The derivative company flyability commercialized it, and since then Elios four rotor aircraft has been used for many interesting purposes, including exploring ice caves in Greenland.
Like its predecessor, flyability adds a carbon fiber strut cage around the Elios 3 fuselage to protect it in the event of a drone hitting something. In this regard, the cage can also protect what the UAV may hit - possibly including people.
The biggest new feature of this version is an ouster os0-32 lidar sensor. Combined with the airborne SLAM Based flyaware mapping software, the device allows the UAV to create and record the three-dimensional computer model of its surrounding environment in real time.
Lidar sensors and software also help stabilize Elios 3 in flight with the help of its three cameras - including a thermal imager, a distance sensor and a 4K optical camera. The latter transmits real-time video to the operator and is assisted in dim conditions by a set of LED spotlights that emit a total of 16000 lumens.
It is reported that Elios's lithium battery can fly for 12.5 minutes at a time. The whole UAV is IP44 waterproof, which means it can prevent water splashing from all directions.
The price can be provided to potential buyers on request. The following video outlines more features of Elios 3.