Testing the Elios 3 Surveying Payload at ICL Boulby Mine
Discover how the new Surveying Payload for the Elios 3 improved surveying speed and efficiency in the underground environment of ICL Boulby Mine.
Key Benefits of the Surveying Payload
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Enhanced Data Coverage The Elios 3's new LiDAR payload offers a greater range, allowing it to cover more area in the same amount of time with higher precision compared to the standard configuration. |
Faster Surveys The Surveying Payload significantly reduces flight times. At ICL Boulby, a 340-meter tunnel was surveyed in just 10 minutes, cutting previous times by half. |
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Simplified Flights The updated Rev 7 LiDAR allows for simpler flight paths due to its extended range and better data coverage. This led to a 50% reduction in surveying flight times at ICL Boulby. |
Improved Accuracy The new payload reduces LiDAR drift by up to five times compared to the standard configuration, making it ideal for complex and challenging environments. |
Flyability tested the new Surveying Payload for the Elios 3 at ICL Boulby, a mine that already uses the original LiDAR system for regular inspections. The goal was to compare results and evaluate the performance of the new Ouster Rev 7 LiDAR sensor in a real-world setting.
Exploring the World’s Only Polyhalite Mine – ICL Boulby
ICL Boulby is the only polyhalite mine globally, located just north of Whitby in northeast England. Originally established in 1968 for potash mining, it has since shifted focus to polyhalite, a natural fertilizer used in agriculture.
The mine extends over 1,200 meters below the surface and reaches as far as 12 kilometers under the North Sea. Managing such a vast and complex site involves mapping extensive old workings and current excavations to ensure safety and compliance with UK regulations.
Simon Pollitt from ICL Boulby introduced the Elios 3 to help map these areas efficiently. The drone enables safe and accurate surveys, supporting the mine’s advance-and-retreat method, where tunnels are supported before being stripped out. Once retreated, these areas become unsafe for personnel, so the Elios 3 plays a crucial role in maintaining operational safety and compliance.
Since 2023, the Elios 3 has been a key tool for ICL Boulby’s surveying team, providing regular LiDAR scans for volumetric and mapping projects.
Reducing Flight Time by Half with the New Surveying Payload
A 340-meter tunnel once required four flights with the standard configuration, taking 20 minutes total. With the new Surveying Payload, the same area was covered in just one flight, cutting time in half and preserving battery life.
2x coverage: Comparison of flight paths shows double the coverage with the new Surveying Payload.
The upgraded Ouster LiDAR OS0-128 Rev 7 provides better accuracy, robustness, and range. It captures denser point clouds more efficiently and integrates with FARO Connect software to automatically generate clean, georeferenced data.
VIDEO: Fly-through of data captured in one flight using the Elios 3 Surveying Payload
The new payload not only cut flight time but also reduced post-processing needs, as fewer scans were required to cover the same area. This made the workflow much smoother and more efficient.
Simplified flight path for better results: Left image shows the old payload’s trajectory; right image shows the new one.
Improved Drift and Z-Axis Accuracy
LiDAR surveys often experience some level of drift, especially along the Z-axis. This is typically corrected using control points. With the new Surveying Payload, Simon noticed a significant improvement in drift reduction—up to five times less than before.
This enhanced accuracy makes the Elios 3 comparable to terrestrial laser scanners, reducing post-processing time and opening up new opportunities for high-precision work. One of the first applications will be water drainage planning, where precise measurements are critical.
5x more accurate on the Z-axis: The red scan shows more drift, while the black one represents the new Rev 7 LiDAR’s improved accuracy.
Expanding Use Cases with the New Surveying Payload
Currently, ICL Boulby uses the Elios 3 for mapping and volume measurements of stockpiles. With the new Surveying Payload, they plan to expand into larger indoor areas and deeper mine workings, improving efficiency and data quality.
"The Elios 3 Surveying Payload is a game-changer for our operations. Faster data collection and increased accuracy alone make it worth the upgrade, and we're excited about the new projects we can now take on," - Simon Pollitt, Chief Surveyor at ICL Boulby
The improved Z-axis accuracy and overall performance mean fewer flights and shorter missions, helping surveyors cover more ground in less time. This not only boosts efficiency but also ensures safer and more accurate records.
In summary, the new Surveying Payload offers a powerful upgrade for ICL Boulby, saving time, reducing costs, and keeping the team safe during inspections. Whether you're looking to improve your own surveying workflows or explore new applications, the Elios 3 Surveying Payload is an excellent choice.
If you want to learn more about the capabilities of the Elios 3 Surveying Payload or assess its fit for your specific project, don’t hesitate to reach out. Our team of experts is here to help you every step of the way, no matter where you are in your drone adoption journey.
The most accurate surveys with the Elios 3 are completed with the Surveying Payload.
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