Vexcel Imaging announces the new UltraCam Dragon 4.1, a game-changing hybrid oblique imaging and LiDAR system

Graz, Austria • October 10, 2023
Live from Intergeo 2023 in Berlin: Vexcel Imaging is thrilled to announce the innovative UltraCam Dragon 4.1, representing the market’s most advanced, progressively designed, and seamlessly integrated hybrid aerial mapping system.  Designed for high-resolution mapping of complex urban environments and the creation of precise digital twins, the UltraCam Dragon combines the very best in imaging and LiDAR technologies for maximum collection productivity, high-accuracy and improved target coverage.
 
“I am thrilled that we can offer the UltraCam Dragon 4.1, a system that opens up new perspectives for our customers,” states Alexander Wiechert, CEO of Vexcel Imaging. “The UltraCam Dragon 4.1 exemplifies our commitment to innovation and excellence in aerial mapping technology. It is poised to make a significant impact on industries and applications worldwide by providing the technology needed to explore, analyze, and understand complex environments like never before.”
 
The new UltraCam Dragon 4.1 produces high-resolution nadir and oblique aerial imagery enriched with precise elevation information obtained by a powerful 2.4 MHz RIEGL OEM LiDAR scanner, collecting up to 2 million measurements per second. The LiDAR’s innovative multi-axis scanning geometry, including a true nadir scan line, ensures maximum coverage of vertical features without occlusion in the steepest of building canyons and interior courtyards for truly impressive and complete digital twins. Two high-resolution nadir sensors (RGB Bayer pattern and NIR), along with four oblique (RGB) sensors, consistently deliver sharp, accurate and crisp imagery. This is achieved through advanced image processing techniques, including Vexcel’s proprietary Adaptive Motion Compensation (AMC) and True Pixel Processing (TPP). The integration of these best-in-class sensors results in a comprehensive and multi-dimensional information gain, facilitating in-depth analysis and a profound understanding of the as-built environment.
 
“We are delighted that Vexcel has chosen the RIEGL VQ-680 OEM LiDAR module to integrate into their brand new, radical UltraCam Dragon 4.1 system design and thank our friends and colleagues at Vexcel for their trust and wish them all the best for a successful go to market with this new product” commented Dr. Johannes Riegl, CEO of the RIEGL Group on the cooperation between the two, long-term connected companies, both headquartered in Austria.
 
The system marks Vexcel’s first hybrid aerial mapping system for deep insights into complex environments at highest collection rates. The integrated LiDAR scanner, a RIEGL VQ-680 OEM sensor, has been unveiled to the market at Intergeo in Berlin, with Vexcel being the first company in the world to integrate this cutting-edge LiDAR scanner into a turnkey solution.
 
With the introduction of the UltraCam Dragon 4.1 and UltraCam Merlin 4.1 at Intergeo, Vexcel is expanding its offerings of aerial systems to cater to a wider range of applications in airborne photogrammetry. The 4th generation UltraCam product lineup now encompasses three distinct categories: the Premium line, comprising of the highly successful UltraCam Eagle 4.1, UltraCam Osprey 4.1, and UltraCam Condor 4.1 cameras with their established high-resolution panchromatic sensors; the Fundamental line, which consists of aerial cameras based on Bayer pattern sensors like the UltraCam Merlin 4.1 models; and the Integrated line, showcased by the newly unveiled UltraCam Dragon 4.1. This cutting-edge hybrid aerial mapping system combines LiDAR and image sensors, providing advanced capabilities for integrated data acquisition.
 
The new Dragon 4.1 system will be available in summer 2024.
 
Key Specifications

Camera

• 14,144 x 10,560 pixels nadir (RGB Bayer pattern & NIR) and oblique (RGB Bayer pattern)
• CMOS imaging sensors
• 2 focal length options
• 1 frame per 0.7 seconds
• Adaptive Motion Compensation (AMC)
• True Pixel Processing (TPP)

LiDAR Scanner

• High pulse repetition rates of up to 2.4 MHz
• Nadir, forward and backward scan line directions at 0, ±10, ±20 degrees along track
• Wide field of view of 60 degrees across track
• Multiple target capability 

About Vexcel Imaging
Vexcel Imaging is a global leader in aerial imaging, known for developing cutting-edge aerial cameras, mapping systems, and photogrammetric processing software. The UltraCam 4th generation system lineup includes the high-precision Premium line, renowned for its exceptional quality and accuracy. This line comprises the highly successful UltraCam Eagle 4.1, UltraCam Osprey 4.1, and UltraCam Condor 4.1. The UltraCam Merlin 4.1 models form the Fundamental line, designed to meet fundamental imaging needs of aerial applications. The Integrated line is represented by the UltraCam Dragon 4.1, combining LiDAR with nadir and oblique image data. Covering all aspects of airborne photogrammetry, our portfolio is complemented by the UltraMap photogrammetric processing software, automating data product generation. This includes point clouds, digital surface and terrain models, orthophotos, and 3DTINs. We take pride in offering world-class support and maintaining a commitment to continuous product development.

For more information visit vexcel-imaging.com.
 
About RIEGL
RIEGL is a leading international provider of cutting-edge technology in airborne, mobile, terrestrial, industrial and unmanned laser scanning solutions for applications in surveying. RIEGL has been producing LiDAR systems commercially for over 40 years and focuses on pulsed time-of-flight laser radar technology in multiple wavelengths. RIEGL’s core Smart-Waveform technologies provide pure digital LiDAR signal processing, unique methodologies for resolving range ambiguities, multiple targets per laser shots, optimum distribution of measurements, calibrated amplitudes and reflectance estimates, as well as the seamless integration and calibration of systems.
RIEGL maintains an outstanding history of reliability and support to their customers. Worldwide sales, training, support and services are delivered from RIEGL’s headquarters in Austria and in the USA; main offices in, Japan, China, Australia, Canada and the UK; and a worldwide network of representatives.

For more information visit www.riegl.com, or contact [email protected]