Technical
All you need to know about LiDAR drones
A complete guide to how LiDAR drones work, their benefits, key applications, and the best systems and software for professional surveying.
LiDAR uses laser pulses to measure distances and create detailed 3D maps and models.
Mounting a LiDAR payload onto a drone enables fast, accurate, and safe data capture across large areas.
Commonly used in surveying, construction, forestry, archaeology, and environmental monitoring.
The DJI M400 paired with the Zenmuse L2 delivers high-precision aerial LiDAR mapping with centimetre-level accuracy.
The DJI M350 RTK, compatible with the Zenmuse L2, provides a reliable and versatile option for professional survey operations.
XGRIDS L2 and L2 Pro scanners can be handheld or drone-mounted, offering flexible LiDAR capture for both ground and aerial projects.
All systems produce accurate 3D terrain models and point clouds for analysis, mapping, and planning.
In this blog, we explore the top LiDAR drones and payloads, highlighting their key features, specifications, and workflows.
We’ll also explain what LiDAR is and how it’s used across industries such as agriculture, construction, and environmental monitoring.
What’s LiDAR?
LiDAR stands for Light Detection and Ranging.
It’s a remote sensing technology that uses rapid laser pulses to measure distances to objects or surfaces, generating accurate 3D maps or models of the ground and surrounding structures.
Pairing a LiDAR scanner with a drone makes LiDAR more accessible, and allows surveyors and other professionals to collect precise data, quickly, efficiently, and safely over large areas.
Drone LiDAR is useful across various fields such as:
Agriculture: Analysing crops, soil, and terrain to optimise yield and irrigation.
Forestry: Measuring tree height, canopy density, and forest volume.
Urban planning: Creating accurate 3D models for infrastructure design and development.
Construction: Conducting site surveys, volume calculations, and progress monitoring.
Archaeology: Revealing hidden structures and mapping excavation sites.
Environmental monitoring: Tracking land changes, erosion, and habitat conditions.
Drone LiDAR benefits & data outputs
Drone LiDAR offers a range of advantages for professional surveying and mapping, delivering accurate, reliable, and detailed results across varied environments.
High precision and accuracy: Capture exact distance and elevation data for creating detailed 3D models used in mapping, inspection, and construction.
Vegetation penetration: Measure terrain beneath dense canopy cover, making it ideal for forestry and environmental monitoring.
Small object detection: Identify fine structural details for infrastructure inspection, urban planning, and archaeology.
Rapid data collection: Cover large areas quickly and cost-effectively compared to traditional survey methods.
Versatile operation: Perform accurate surveys in low light, at night, or in challenging weather conditions.
Drone LiDAR data can be processed into a range of outputs that provide valuable insights for surveying, mapping, and analysis.
These outputs help professionals visualise terrain, measure elevation, and model environments with high accuracy.
Table of drone LiDAR outputs
Drone LiDAR Output | Description |
Point Clouds | A collection of 3D coordinate points representing the surfaces of objects or terrain captured by the LiDAR sensor. |
Digital Surface Models (DSM) | Representations of the Earth's surface and all objects on it, providing a detailed view of terrain and surface features. |
Digital Terrain Models (DTM) | Show the bare Earth surface without vegetation or man-made structures, commonly used in engineering, construction, and hydrology. |
Contour Maps | Lines connecting points of equal elevation, used to visualise terrain features and support project planning. |
Cross-Sections | 2D representations of terrain or features along specific lines or transects, used to analyse elevation changes and slope gradients. |
LiDAR point cloud
Top LiDAR drones, payloads, and scanners
Here are some of the leading LiDAR solutions available today — covering aerial drones, integrated payloads, and handheld scanners.
Each option offers different strengths depending on your workflow, whether you’re capturing data from the air or on the ground.
DJI M400 and Zenmuse L2
The DJI M400 is a flagship enterprise drone designed for advanced aerial surveying.
The M400 offers up to 59 minutes of flight time, a 6kg payload capacity, IP55 protection, and power-line-level obstacle sensing.
When paired with the DJI Zenmuse L2 — a plug-and-play LiDAR and RGB camera payload — it delivers centimetre-level precision, a 450m detection range, five returns per pulse, and true-colour point clouds for highly detailed mapping.
DJI M350 RTK and Zenmuse L2
As the predecessor to the M400, the DJI M350 RTK features interchangeable payload support, IP55 weather resistance, and enhanced safety systems.
The M350 RTK is fully compatible with the Zenmuse L2, offering professional-grade LiDAR performance for surveying, inspection, and mapping.
XGRIDS L2 Pro and L2
The XGRIDS L2 Pro and L2 are handheld LiDAR scanners that can also be mounted to DJI M300 Series drones using the L2 Pro Drone Mounting Bracket or L2 Drone Mount.
These scanners provide flexible, high-accuracy 3D data capture for both aerial and ground-based applications.
Leading software for LiDAR data processing
Several software options are available for processing LiDAR data, each designed to handle point cloud generation, editing, and analysis.
The following platforms are among the most trusted for turning raw LiDAR scans into accurate, ready-to-use datasets.
DJI Terra: Processes LiDAR point clouds from the Zenmuse L2 and L1, including RGB fusion, ground extraction, DEM generation, and mission reports.
Terrasolid: Industry software for cleaning, classifying, and analysing LiDAR data with automated tools; works well alongside DJI Terra.
XGRIDS LixelStudio: Dedicated software for XGRIDS scanners, offering viewing, editing, and one-stop processing with industry plugins.
LiDAR software comparison table
Software | Compatible With | Use For |
DJI Terra | DJI Zenmuse L2 and L1 | Processing LiDAR point clouds, fusing RGB and laser data, extracting ground points, generating DEMs, and producing mission reports. |
Terrasolid | Multiple LiDAR sensors including DJI payloads | Cleaning, classifying, and analysing LiDAR data; supports automated workflows and advanced point cloud processing for professional surveying projects. |
XGRIDS LixelStudio | XGRIDS L2 and L2 Pro scanners | Viewing, editing, and processing laser point clouds with one-stop workflows and industry-specific plugins for efficient LiDAR data management. |
Heliguy survey support
At Heliguy our team of survey specialists are on hand to provide end-to-end support to help you plan, operate, and scale your drone surveying workflows.
Geospatial consultancy: Access in-house specialists for proof of concept, workflow design, and equipment supply.
Drone Assistive Programme: Our experts can join you on-site to guide real-world data collection and help you build confidence in the field.
Training and permissions: Work with our 10-strong training team to obtain your drone permissions and develop essential operational skills.
Flexible equipment access: Use the UK’s largest drone rental fleet to get the right tools when you need them.
Aftercare and repairs: Receive ongoing support from our DJI-approved repair centre in case of equipment damage or technical issues.
Get in touch with the Heliguy Survey Team to find out more about how our team can support your drone surveying operations.
Summary
Overall, the best LiDAR solution depends on your specific use case.
Large-scale aerial surveys benefit from drones like the DJI M400 paired with the Zenmuse L2, delivering precision and efficiency.
Handheld scanners such as the XGRIDS L2 Pro provide flexibility and detailed data for ground-based workflows.
Whatever your setup, Heliguy can support you with expert guidance, training, and ongoing technical support to ensure reliable, high-quality survey results.
Contact us to learn more.
