Aloha, I recently started using an UAV to capture high resolution imagery that I then process with Pix4D software. One of the outputs of the software (provided you have good image overlap) is a .LAS (or .LAZ) file that has an resolution about 4x the 2D pixel resolution. So if my image resolution is ~3.5 cm, then my .LAS file pixels have a ~6 Inch pixel size. No need for a LIDAR sensor, all done via Photogrammetry.

There have been a few discussions about whether or not one could use OpenCV for 3D Orthomosaic mapping, but beyond that I've yet to find any open source solutions for Photogrammetry or 3D Orthomosaic. Nor have I discovered any turnkey proprietary solutions that cost under $70. Nevertheless, its good to know that a software approach is possible. Even if the notoriously complex OpenCV is the closest thing we have to an open source option.

I think MicMac will take LIDAR data http://publiclab.org/notes/mathew/02-25-2014/3d-data-from-image-sets-autostitching

Surely the most valuable point of Lidar is to provide high resolution data of areas that are inaccessible by other methods. Such as dense vegetation and tree cover. The major issue will be processing power. This is usually provided a stand alone system rather than a flight controller. The amount of data collected is very large, but as usual technology will improve as time moves on and i, like the rest, will be waiting in the wings.

UPDATE:6/29/15 The Lidar LITE can now be purchased for under $100 through Sparkfun, Amazon etc... I just recently found one at Robotshop.com on sale for $75 and it should be arriving tomorrow! I intend to use it on my Naze32 quadcopter that I've been building for almost a year. It is finally in its final stages and if all goes well, I'm hoping to have it in the air by next week!

While I intend to post detailed documentation on the build once it gets off the ground, I wanted to start looking into ways to incorporate the LiDAR LITE into aerial mapping for which I have been using a Mobius ActionCam. @smathermather- Does #OpenDroneMap support the LiDAR-LITE?

Great project - I'm interested in seeing what the results of the LED lidar would be. I think it probably needs a laser to be useful but maybe with good optics it doesn't? Let us know!

I do believe @pinpointmapping has the right idea. Unfortunately Pix4D software is orders of magnitude more expensive than $100 even if you go with the free crippled version because of the processing hardware requirements. Perhaps there is some open-source package available that works as well but I have not found it yet. Perhaps the http://www.adapteva.com/parallella/ will get some software written for it that will do what we want.

The "LIDAR" you are referencing is probably better labeled as a laser/LED altitude sensor. The problem you will have with it is that the field of view will be around 20 degrees, as one of the devices you reference states. That will result in a large pixel size which, of course, is dependent on the altitude. Get a protractor out and see what area is included with different distances. A real LIDAR will have a laser beam (think laser pointer) scanned over the viewing area and each spot that the laser shines on will be used to measure height resulting in a much smaller pixel size. (This is a little simplified but broadly accurate.)

Any way I am interested in your results we may all learn something from your endeavors.

It looks like somebody finally did do some point cloud mapping work with the LidarLITE- http://myrobotlab.org/content/lidar-lite-distance-measurement-and-creating-point-cloud The results do seem to confirm @danbeavers hypothesis about resolution. Either way, it gives me enough to work with and start doing some of my own experiments. Even if it isnt the "Peoples LiDAR" dream come true, it still represents a pretty big leap over most rangefinders in current use. So there's a lot of territory to cover for sure!

Hi, Really interesting work. Any new updates on this project? I'm wondering if there are any DIY UAV / LiDAR options that would be accurate enough to identify and map possible cultural heritage sites.