ROCK Ultra – Van Bibber Creek (120m, 5 m/s)

Jul 18, 2025

The ROCK Ultra is built for high-altitude, high-speed, survey-grade mapping. For this mission, we flew over Van Bibber Creek in Colorado to push the limits—testing canopy penetration and ground capture accuracy over challenging terrain with dense vegetation along the creek banks.


Mission Overview

  • Platform: Aerial LiDAR survey with ROCK Ultra
  • Flight Altitude: 120 m AGL
  • Flight Speed: 5 m/s
  • Area Scanned: 106 acres
  • Location: Van Bibber Creek, Colorado
  • Deliverables: Colorized LiDAR point cloud, calibrated for canopy and ground detail

Purpose of the Mission

The goal was to evaluate the Ultra’s performance in:

  • Penetrating thick tree canopy to capture ground points accurately
  • Mapping varied terrain features, from creek banks to open fields
  • Maintaining high point density and accuracy even at higher altitudes and speeds

Field Conditions

Van Bibber Creek presents a diverse mapping challenge:

  • Vegetation: Heavy riparian canopy with mature trees and dense understory
  • Terrain: Mixed elevation along the creek corridor
  • Environment: Open fields transitioning into shaded, complex canopy cover

Data Processing

The dataset was processed in ROCK Cloud:

  1. Trajectory Correction: PPK processing for centimeter-grade accuracy
  2. Strip Alignment: Automated alignment to ensure clean overlap
  3. Classification: Ground vs. vegetation classification for analysis-ready deliverables
  4. Colorization: Mapped RGB imagery to the LiDAR data for an intuitive, visualized dataset

Results

  • High Canopy Penetration: Ground returns visible even in dense tree cover
  • Sharp Ground Detail: Creek banks, trails, and open field features well-defined
  • Survey-Grade Accuracy: Achieved with minimal ground control due to PPK integration

Applications for the Dataset

This dataset is ideal for:

  • Environmental Management & Watershed Studies
  • Trail Planning & Recreational Area Mapping
  • Floodplain Analysis
  • Forestry & Vegetation Monitoring

Key Takeaways

  • The ROCK Ultra maintains accuracy and detail at 120 m AGL and 5 m/s, making it efficient for large-area surveys.
  • Dense vegetation environments can be effectively mapped without sacrificing ground model integrity.
  • ROCK Cloud ensures a smooth processing pipeline from field to final deliverables.

ROCK Ultra – Van Bibber Creek (120m, 5 m/s) | ROCK Robotic | ROCK Robotic