Integration of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) and LiDAR Technology for Terrain Mapping and Monitoring

Thesis Abstract

Abstract
This thesis explores the integration of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) and Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) technology for terrain mapping and monitoring applications. The combination of UAVs and LiDAR offers a powerful solution for obtaining high-resolution, accurate, and up-to-date geospatial data for various purposes, including disaster response, urban planning, environmental monitoring, and infrastructure development. This research aims to investigate the capabilities and limitations of this integrated approach in capturing detailed terrain information and monitoring changes over time. The thesis begins with a comprehensive introduction that outlines the background of the study, identifies the problem statement, sets the objectives, discusses the limitations and scope of the study, highlights the significance of the research, and provides an overview of the thesis structure. The definitions of key terms related to UAVs, LiDAR, terrain mapping, and monitoring are also provided to enhance understanding. The literature review in Chapter Two covers ten key areas related to UAV technology, LiDAR technology, terrain mapping techniques, monitoring applications, and previous studies that have explored the integration of UAVs and LiDAR for terrain mapping and monitoring. This review serves to establish the current state of knowledge in the field and identify gaps that this research intends to address. Chapter Three details the research methodology employed in this study, including the selection of UAV platforms and LiDAR sensors, data acquisition techniques, data processing workflows, and analysis methods. The chapter also discusses the validation procedures and quality assurance measures implemented to ensure the accuracy and reliability of the collected data. In Chapter Four, the findings of the research are presented and discussed in detail. This includes the evaluation of terrain mapping results generated from the integrated UAV-LiDAR data, the comparison of these results with ground truth data, the assessment of monitoring capabilities for detecting changes in terrain features over time, and the identification of challenges encountered during the data collection and analysis process. Finally, Chapter Five concludes the thesis by summarizing the key findings, discussing the implications of the research outcomes for terrain mapping and monitoring practices, and suggesting recommendations for future research and practical applications. The conclusion highlights the strengths and limitations of the integrated UAV-LiDAR approach and emphasizes its potential to revolutionize the way terrain mapping and monitoring tasks are carried out in various fields. Overall, this thesis contributes to the growing body of knowledge on the integration of UAVs and LiDAR technology for terrain mapping and monitoring, showcasing the benefits and challenges of this innovative approach and paving the way for further advancements in the field of geospatial data acquisition and analysis.