Sep 21, 2017 -- The MidaR, a prototype multi-sensor aerial survey system currently in development by Lead Air Inc, in the USA is operating over several locations devastated by Hurricane Irma in Florida. The MidaR combines in a single payload a MIDAS oblique camera system with five or nine circular views and a special LiDAR.

The mapping data collected by the Lead'Air MidaR will be (freely) available to the authorities as well as to public and governmental organizations interested in evaluating and using the results that are achieved using MidaR.

The dataset will include high accuracy synchronized imagery/LiDAR mapping data processed by Stellacore Solutions and high fidelity "PhotoMesh" 3D models generated by Skyline Software Systems. The laser data is collected with a Riegl LiDAR specifically integrated for this development.

Lead'Air will distribute two areas of interest, Key West Island in southern Florida, where Irma made its first landfall on US territory, and Marco Island on the southwest coast of Florida, where it made its second landfall.

Both locations suffered extensive damages that the MidaR shows with incredible detail and precision. Lead'Air chose 1.5 cm GSD ground sampling resolution (0.6 inches) for the city of Key West and 2.5 cm GSD (1 inch) for Marco Island.

The MidaR is a new state of the art sensor that allows the simultaneous collection of high-resolution oblique imagery in all directions and laser range data. It is especially suitable for rapid disaster response to survey large areas in a very short time at resolutions that until now has only been achieved with drones Contrary to commercial drones, which typically can only remain airborne for a very limited time and capture small areas at a time; the MidaR is intended to be professionally    flown onboard helicopters or light aircraft with unmatched quality results and high productivity gain.  A single survey flight allows for an entire city capture in amazing detail and accuracy in a few hours. Thanks to its 5 or 9 high-resolution metric cameras pointing in all directions, the devastated area is photographed multiple times from all sides. Not a single corner is left uncovered. Capable of collecting close to one Gigapixel of imagery (20 photos per second) with the nine-camera option and 30 to 50 LiDAR points per square meter, the MidaR allowed Lead'Air to survey Key West Island in little more than 2 hours with a total of 15,000 photos!

On the subject of disaster survey and the impact of drones; Lead’Air is interested in hearing what drone operators are proposing to survey the same area in the same amount of time, with the same accuracy and with the same operational costs. The MidaR captured Key West in 2.5 hours with a precision of 0.5 cm, planar accuracy 3.2 cm and vertical accuracy 4.8 cm. The total operational cost for the flight was less than $5,000! Further, consider that Key West is a rigorously controlled airspace surrounding a very busy international airport and that a very large naval air base whose restricted airspace is overlapping the Key West Airport airspace.

One can easily anticipate that the Lead'Air MidaR will have a disruptive impact on the aerial survey market for 2018 and beyond.

About Lead’Air, Inc

Lead'Air Inc., a USA Corporation, based in Kissimmee, Florida, provides professional oblique Aerial Survey Systems to capture metric quality imagery for 3D modeling of cities and disaster relief areas. Our MIDAS (Multi-Image Digital Acquisition System) is the most recognized and most used system in the world with over 100 systems capturing millions of images every year. These systems and the MIDAS name itself have become synonymous with quality 3D modeling around the world. Our extensive line of products incorporating from one to ten cameras and more, along with LiDAR, flight management systems, fully stabilized mounts and precision Applanix Inertial Navigation Systems makes Lead’Air the Premier Oblique Aerial Survey System Company in the world. Find out more at www.trackair.com  

About Stellacore Solutions, LLC

Stellacore Solutions LLC, based in Aurora, Colorado, provides professional software products and consulting services addressing a variety of system technologies including aerial (vertical and oblique) with a focus on integration, calibration, and processing for optical, laser, inertial and positioning sensing systems. Stellacore Solutions LLC provides cross-platform solutions scaled to 64bit multi-core/multi-socket systems for leading-edge throughput capabilities. Find out more at www.stellacoresolutions.com

About Skyline Software Systems, Inc

Founded in 1997, Skyline Software Systems, Inc. is a leading provider of 3D earth visualization software and services. The company offers a comprehensive platform of applications, tools, and services that enable the creation and dissemination of interactive, photo-realistic 3D environments. Skyline has built a “best of breed” set of tools that remain focused on the needs of our customers including flexibility, efficiency, and robustness. Skyline is headquartered in Herndon, VA.  Find out more at http://www.skylineglobe.com