Last Tuesday, August 20, 2024, Derek deBlois of R-E-A-L.iT performed the SAIT interior scan with our local ambassadors, SAIT geomatics instructor Victoria Desjardins and Eagle Engineering & Consulting's Marketing Manager, Jessica Fielding.
Regrettably, while the event called for scanning of the site with both the Leica BLK2GO and the Leica BLK ARC, only the BLK2GO was put through the course due to time constraints between a late arrival (ah, Canadian air travel...) and need to attend a meeting elsewhere in Calgary after the scheduled time.
Together, Victoria and Jessica were able to experience the Leica BLK2GO SLAM scanner with Derek as it was put through its paces. The device itself doesn't look like there's any moving parts, with the whirring sound being the only indicator to the contrary. The ease of use and natural function of the BLK2Go makes it feel like little more than a 'laser-torch;' not in a sense that it's 'ideal for setting some sci-fi town ablaze,' but more that this device is held like you would hold a flame torch or candle stick for illumination in the dark. There is a 'blind spot' in the system where the device user can stand and not be visible in the scan, making editing of the point cloud easier and avoiding the 'Tinkerbell perspective' of seeing the operator's close-up face in every picture as you cycle through panoramic images in a scene. Of course, the user doesn't have to stay in this 'blind spot' and is free to (gently) move the device around any way they see fit with the post-processing doing what it can to remove people in the lidar post-processing anyway.
The BLK2GO also attaches to various third platforms which can make carrying the device and collecting with it easier and more efficient. From backpacks and front-packs that hold the device for you, to lights that attach to it for illuminating spaces, there are many ways to customize your data collection.
Derek was able to start collecting data on site after a brief static startup (~3-5 min) where the device was held vertical in a 'puck'-like cradle until the colour band at the base of the sensor dome turned green. From there it was a click of the 'power' button to start scanning, pick up the scanner, and go!
While the device is forgiving in startup location, it was noted that the 'ideal starting area' would be a medium-size room with an unchanging environment and lots of opportunity for strong lidar returns from every available plane.
Range: 0.5-25 metres
Points per Second: 0.42 Million
Precision: ±0.010 metres (1 cm or 4/10 of an inch)
Sales Rep: Derek deBlois, DEREK@R-E-A-L.iT , +1-514-249-1100
The single button interface for the device makes the unit rather simple to use. The one On/Off button will do exactly that when held down, but will also start/stop track recording during operation, and can also capture planar images from the camera onboard when depressed during the scan. While the 12MP 'detail' camera is a narrower view for a more detailed look at items or objects of interest, the lower resolution panoramic images are always collected during a scan and can be used to colourize the point cloud in post-processing.
Data collection could be monitored through any mobile device via the associated Leica App.
While the BLK2GO is an indoor instrument, it is not able to operate indoors continuously and indefinitely. It is recommended that the unit only collect mission data for approximately 20 minutes at a time, allowing for the unit to have short, closed loops during data collection which allow for high-confidence data refinement.
For more information on R-E-A-L.it and the Leica BLK2GO you can access their website at R-E-A-L.it, or see their information in the CanSLAM report at the GoGeomatics Expo in October.
A whole-hearted thank you to Derek and R-E-A-L.iT for sharing your product with us! We look forward to seeing the data!
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