DJI presents the Zenmuse L2 drone's LiDAR module for 3D data collection

DJI has unveiled the successor to the popular Zenmuse L1 aerial LiDAR payload. The new DJI Zenmuse L2 features an improved RGB camera, an updated LiDAR module and greater precision.

Like its predecessor, the L2 is built for the DJI Matrice 300 RTK and Matrice 350 RTK platforms with an RC Plus remote controller. The 3D data collection tool can also be used with DJI Terra drone mapping software for a post -High precision processing.

According to the tech giant, it has built a new internal IMU system for the L2, which allows it to achieve the 4cm vertical and 5cm horizontal accuracy required for high-precision terrain surveying at 1:500 scale. The system is also ready to use as soon as it is turned on, making it ideal for inspection professionals. Furthermore, the greater environmental adaptability of the IMU system improves its reliability and operational precision.

Difference between LiDAR for DJI Zenmuse L2 and L1 drones

Compared to its predecessor, the Zenmuse L2 boasts a 30% increase in detection range. Specifically, the payload is capable of detecting objects from 250 meters with 10% reflectivity and 100k Lux, and up to 450 meters with 50% reflectivity and 0k Lux. Typical operating altitude also now extends up to at 150 meters, thus improving the safety and efficiency of the system.

Furthermore, the L2 has a small spot size of 4x12cm @100m, which is only a fifth of that of the Zenmuse L1. Therefore, the sensor not only detects smaller objects with greater detail for highly accurate digital elevation models (DEMs), but also supports five returns, capable of penetrating denser vegetation and capturing more points of the terrain under foliage.

Another notable improvement concerns the speed of the LiDAR point cloud. In both single and multi-return modes, the DJI Zenmuse L2 can reach a maximum point cloud output rate of 240,000 points per second, allowing it to acquire more point cloud data in a given amount of time.

DJI's latest commercial payload RGB mapping camera features a 4/3 CMOS sensor with a mechanical shutter and an expanded pixel size of 3.3 μm. The effective pixels produced with the system now reach 20MP, resulting in a significant improvement in the overall image and a greater enrichment of the details of the colored point cloud.

Additionally, the minimum photo interval has been reduced to 0.7 seconds and the mapping camera now has up to 200,000 shutter speeds, which helps reduce operating costs. And if you don't need point cloud collection, the RGB camera can still take photos and videos or collect images for visible light mapping.