ROCK R3 Pro V2 – High-Accuracy LiDAR Survey in Dense Georgia Vegetation
Aug 13, 2023
We put the ROCK R3 Pro V2 to the test in one of the most challenging environments for aerial LiDAR: a heavily vegetated, 37-acre site in Georgia. The mission goal was to produce a survey-grade topographic map, with accuracy validated against traditional ground control points provided by a Registered Survey Firm. Flying at 130 ft AGL on a DJI M300, the R3 Pro V2 delivered exceptional results, proving its capabilities for high-stakes projects where precision is non-negotiable.
Mission Overview
- Platform: Aerial survey with ROCK R3 Pro V2 on a DJI M300
- Flight Altitude: ~130 ft (40 m) Above Ground Level (AGL)
- Flight Speed: ~5 m/s
- Area Scanned: 37 acres
- Deliverables: Colorized LiDAR point cloud, ROCK Surveyor (DTM, Contours), and a comprehensive Accuracy Report.
This dataset demonstrates the R3 Pro's ability to combine speed, safety, and survey-grade precision, even when facing difficult site conditions.
Coverage & Context
The project site was characterized by thick trees and dense grass, a classic challenge for LiDAR systems. To ensure the highest level of accuracy, the dataset was checked against traverse points established by a Registered Survey Firm using a Total Station.
The R3 Pro's Hesai Pandar XT32 sensor, with its 32 laser channels and dual-return capability, generated a dense point cloud of 120 points per square foot, successfully penetrating the canopy to capture the true ground surface below.
Dataset Metadata
- Total Acreage: 37 Acres
- Coordinate System (Horizontal): NAD83 / Georgia West (ftUS) (EPSG: 2240)
- Vertical Reference: NAVD88 height (geoid18) (ftUS) (EPSG: 6360)
These industry-standard projections ensure the data is immediately usable in leading CAD and GIS software platforms for engineering and land development workflows.
Performance Highlights
- Exceptional Accuracy: The dataset achieved a Vertical Accuracy RMS of 0.089 ft (2.7 cm) with a mean elevation delta of just 0.004 ft when compared to the ground control points.
- Superior Vegetation Penetration: The combination of high point density and dual returns allowed for a clean and accurate bare-earth model, even under heavy tree cover.
- Integrated Field-to-Finish Workflow: The project data was processed using ROCK Surveyor, showcasing the seamless integration between ROCK hardware and ROCK Cloud services to produce final deliverables efficiently.
Applications
This dataset is a prime example for:
- Topographic Surveys in Heavily Wooded Areas
- Land Development & Site Planning
- Boundary Surveys Requiring Canopy Penetration
- Environmental & Natural Resource Management
- Civil Engineering Design in Challenging Terrain
Key Takeaways
- The ROCK R3 Pro V2 consistently delivers survey-grade accuracy in complex, real-world conditions.
- Its performance is validated against traditional survey methods, providing confidence and certainty.
- The integrated ROCK ecosystem streamlines the entire process, from data capture with the R3 Pro to final deliverables with ROCK Pro Services.