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The UAV lidar sector is advancing rapidly in 2025, with manufacturers introducing systems that deliver higher precision, improved efficiency, and broader application potential. Recent releases and use cases from GeoCue, RIEGL, Wingtra, DJI, and YellowScan demonstrate how UAV-based lidar technology is maturing, while bridging the gap between entry-level and enterprise solutions.
UAV lidar platforms are also expanding into new domains such as bathymetric mapping and infrastructure inspection. As these innovations roll out, UAV-based lidar continues to establish itself as a critical tool for surveyors, engineers, and geospatial professionals seeking accurate, scalable data collection from the air.
Wingtra: From Lidar Mapping to the WingtraRAY VTOL Platform
VTOL drone provider Wingtra announced its first lidar mapping solution earlier this year — the Wingtra LIDAR, which combines the WingtraOne fixed-wing drone with a Hesai XT32-M2X lidar sensor to capture accurate 3D terrain data for applications such as construction, urban planning, and forestry.
A few months later, Wingtra released the WingtraRAY, a fixed-wing VTOL drone for professional surveyors, supporting six types of payloads including RGB, lidar, and thermal sensors. It features autonomous safety functions like a parachute and obstacle avoidance. WingtraRAY was made available in selected countries in July and will roll out globally in October 2025.
YellowScan: Expanding into Bathymetric LiDAR and Global Partnerships
In early 2024, YellowScan launched the Navigator system — a bathymetric lidar solution that enables surveyors to map underwater topography in rivers, ponds, and coastal areas. Since its release, the company has partnered with multiple drone manufacturers to integrate the system, and reported successful mapping projects in Sweden, Australia, and the US.
In June 2025, YellowScan announced a strategic partnership with Argosdyne, focusing on the EasyMapper drone series — officially certified as EASA C2 Class by the European Union Aviation Safety Agency.
Another partner, VTR Drones (Ventus-Tech), launched a new ultralight tailsitter UAV named the Hornet, now integrated with the YellowScan Mapper+ lidar payload for high-efficiency scanning missions.
RIEGL and ÖBB: Railway Inspection via BVLOS Drones
The Austrian Federal Railways (ÖBB) has begun using drones equipped with RIEGL VUX-120 laser scanners for railway inspection, covering nearly 10,000 kilometers of track. These BVLOS drones, developed with HERO.aero GmbH, help reduce costs and enhance safety, as inspections can be conducted without closing rail lines.
RIEGL’s advanced sensors allow accurate vegetation and infrastructure monitoring from the air, minimizing the need for on-site fieldwork and improving worker safety.
GeoCue: Making High-End LiDAR More Accessible
GeoCue’s latest system, the TrueView 539, aims to bring high-end lidar data to a more affordable level. Similar to the TrueView 540, it integrates CHC’s PPK navigation and offers 2–5 cm absolute accuracy with up to 6 lidar returns and 300 m range (540 model offers 8 returns and 400 m range).
According to GeoCue’s Chad Dillard, “The TrueView 539 changes the dynamic in favor of the customer — the data quality-to-price ratio is much better, making high-quality lidar data more accessible.”
DJI: Lidar-Assisted Mini 5 Pro Expands Consumer Possibilities
DJI released the Mini 5 Pro drone in September 2025. Weighing only 249 grams, it features a 50MP 4K HDR camera, 225° rotating gimbal, and up to 52 minutes flight time. Its lidar-assisted obstacle avoidance system enables safer flight even in tight environments.
Though classified as a consumer drone, professional users such as surveyor Stefan Niculescu have successfully applied it in small-scale inspection and 3D modeling tasks, particularly for roofs, facades, and urban environments where larger UAVs are impractical.
Source:GeoWeek News – “UAV Lidar Market Gains Momentum with New Product Releases & Use Cases” (Aug 2025)
