Testing the Elios 3 Surveying Payload at ICL Boulby Mine
Discover how the new Surveying Payload made surveying faster and more efficient in the challenging environment of the ICL Boulby Mine.
Key Advantages of the Elios 3 Surveying Payload
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Enhanced Data Coverage The Elios 3’s new LiDAR payload offers a longer range, allowing it to cover larger areas in the same amount of time with greater precision compared to the standard configuration. |
Faster Data Collection The Surveying Payload significantly reduces flight times, making data collection quicker. At ICL Boulby, a 340-meter tunnel was fully surveyed in just 10 minutes. |
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Simplified Flight Paths The Rev 7 LiDAR allows for easier and more straightforward flight planning due to its increased range and coverage. This led to a 50% reduction in surveying flight times at ICL Boulby. |
Improved Accuracy The new payload minimizes LiDAR drift by five times compared to the standard setup, delivering higher accuracy even in complex environments. |
When Flyability tested the new Surveying Payload for the Elios 3, they chose the ICL Boulby Mine—a site already using the Elios 3 for regular inspections. The goal was to compare the performance of the new Ouster Rev 7 LiDAR against the original configuration in an already mapped area.
Exploring the World’s Only Polyhalite Mine: ICL Boulby
ICL Boulby is the only mine in the world that extracts polyhalite, a natural fertilizer. Located north of Whitby in northeast England, this mine has been in operation since 1968, initially for potash extraction, but now focuses on polyhalite. It extends over 1,200 meters underground and stretches 12 kilometers beneath the North Sea.
A major challenge at ICL Boulby is the vast network of old and active workings. These must be carefully mapped to ensure safety during mining operations and to prevent dangerous incidents like gas or water inrushes. Accurate mapping is not only essential for safety but also a legal requirement in the UK.
Simon Pollitt of ICL Boulby introduced the Elios 3 into their operations for mapping purposes. The drone enables safe and efficient surveying in areas that are difficult or dangerous for humans to access. With the advance and retreat mining method, tunnels are supported before being excavated, and once retreated, they become off-limits. The Elios 3 helps ICL Boulby comply with regulations while maximizing productivity.
Since 2023, the Elios 3 has been used at ICL Boulby for nine months, with the team relying on its LiDAR scans for various surveying and volumetric tasks.
Reducing Drone Flight Time by Half with the New Surveying Payload
A 340-meter tunnel previously required four flights with the standard Elios 3, taking 20 minutes total. Scanning beyond the visual line of sight added complexity, especially with communication between the remote controller and the drone. Post-processing was needed to create a point cloud from the collected data.
With the new Surveying Payload, the entire tunnel was covered in just one flight, cutting flight time in half and preserving battery life. The upgraded Ouster Rev 7 LiDAR sensor provides better accuracy, range, and robustness, resulting in denser and more detailed point clouds. These can be processed automatically using FARO Connect, streamlining the workflow.
Double the coverage: Comparison of the two LiDAR configurations shows significantly improved coverage with the Surveying Payload.
VIDEO: Fly-through of the data captured in one flight by the Elios 3 Surveying Payload
The new Surveying Payload enabled Simon to complete a full scan in a single flight, reducing both flight time and post-processing effort. With the increased range, there was no need to merge multiple scans, saving significant time and resources.
Simplified flight path for comparable results: The left image shows the trajectory with the old payload, while the right shows the new Surveying Payload.
Improving Z-Axis Accuracy and Reducing Drift
LiDAR surveys often experience some level of drift, particularly along the Z-axis. This is corrected by using known control points to georeference the scan. With the new Surveying Payload, drift has been reduced significantly, bringing the Elios 3’s performance closer to that of terrestrial laser scanners.
This improvement means less post-processing time and more accurate data, which is crucial for high-precision applications like water drainage planning. The enhanced Z-axis accuracy also allows for more efficient large-scale surveys with fewer flights, increasing overall efficiency.
Almost 5x more accurate on the Z-axis: The red scan shows greater drift with the old payload, while the black scan demonstrates the improved accuracy of the new Rev 7 LiDAR.
Expanding Use Cases with the New Surveying Payload
Currently, ICL Boulby uses the Elios 3 for mapping mine workings and measuring stockpile volumes. With the new Surveying Payload, they plan to extend these capabilities further, including scanning deeper indoor stockpiles and complex mine structures.
"The Elios 3 Surveying Payload is a game-changer for our operations. The faster data collection and higher accuracy alone make it worth upgrading, and we're excited about the new projects it will enable," - Simon Pollitt, Chief Surveyor at ICL Boulby
The increased accuracy and efficiency of the new payload help reduce the workload per survey, allowing the team to cover more sites in less time while maintaining high-quality data. This upgrade supports ICL Boulby’s goals of improving safety, reducing costs, and enhancing operational efficiency.
For more information on the Elios 3 Surveying Payload or to determine if it suits your surveying needs, contact us today. Our team of experts is here to help you take full advantage of drone technology, no matter where you are in your adoption journey.
The most precise and reliable surveys with the Elios 3 are now possible with the new Surveying Payload.
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