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Revolutionising Mapping: Emesent’s Backpack RTK – The Ultimate LiDAR Scanner for Unmatched Precision and Versatility

Revolutionising Mapping: Emesent’s Backpack RTK – The Ultimate LiDAR Scanner for Unmatched Precision and Versatility

Last updated on

21st May

Overview

Emesent‘s Backpack RTK, integrated with the Hovermap ST-X scanner, is designed for professionals needing high-performance LiDAR mapping. It combines real-time kinematics (RTK) and simultaneous localisation and mapping (SLAM) technologies, making it suitable for both indoor and outdoor use. This system is particularly noted for its speed, accuracy, and flexibility, which we’ll explore in detail.

Performance Highlights

The Backpack RTK offers impressive technical specifications, including a scan rate exceeding one million points per second and a sensing range of up to 300 meters. Its accuracy is sub-centimetre, verified by independent surveys, ensuring precise data for applications like construction and forestry. This high precision is achieved through the award-winning Wildcat SLAM solution and automated ground control points, reducing errors and enhancing reliability.

Versatility and Use Cases

One unexpected detail is its multi-mode functionality: it can be used handheld, mounted on a backpack, attached to drones, or vehicles, and even lowered in a cage for specialised tasks. This adaptability makes it ideal for diverse environments, from urban construction sites to remote forests, allowing seamless transitions between outdoor RTK and indoor SLAM in a single session.

Ease of Use and Durability

The system is designed for ease, with all equipment fitting into an ergonomic backpack for easy transport and setup in minutes. It automates geo-referencing and drift-correction, minimising manual effort. Additionally, its IP65 weather-sealed design ensures reliability in harsh conditions, making it a robust choice for challenging fieldwork.

Survey Note: Detailed Analysis of Emesent’s Backpack RTK as a LiDAR Scanner

Emesent’s Backpack RTK, launched as part of their versatile range of RTK GPS-enabled Hovermap solutions, represents a significant advancement in LiDAR scanning technology. This analysis, based on extensive research conducted as of March 26, 2025, aims to evaluate its performance, versatility, and market positioning, promoting it as the best and most versatile LiDAR scanner available. The following sections detail the product’s features, compare it with competitors, and highlight its unique advantages.

Product Overview and Technical Specifications

The Backpack RTK is designed to work with Emesent’s Hovermap ST-X, a high-performance LiDAR scanner known for its robust capabilities. Key specifications include:

Scan Rate: Over one million points per second, enabling rapid data capture over large areas.
Sensing Range: Up to 300 meters, facilitating comprehensive mapping of extensive terrains.
Accuracy: Sub-centimetre precision, achieved through the integration of Wildcat SLAM solution and Automated Ground Control Points, as noted in product documentation (Hovermap ST-X).

This system leverages both RTK and SLAM technologies, allowing for high-accuracy geo-referencing and drift-correction, which was verified by an independent surveyor, Orion Spatial Solutions, in a October 2024 report. The report compared data against 75 quality control points over a 2km stretch of road, using Leica TS13 Total Station and Leica LS15 Digital Level, though specific numerical accuracy results were not detailed in the accessible content (Global Georeferencing Accuracy).

Physical specifications include a weight of 4 kg empty and 8.5 kg with accessories, making it portable yet sturdy. It is ATA (Air Transport Association) 300 rated, fits in most aircraft overhead compartments, and uses 97Wh batteries approved for most airlines, enhancing its travel-friendliness (Backpack RTK).

Versatility and Deployment Options

A standout feature is its versatility, allowing deployment in multiple modes:

Handheld: Suitable for close-range, detailed inspections.
Backpack-mounted: Ideal for walking surveys, with an ergonomic case and custom foam insert for comfort.
Vehicle-mounted: Facilitates mapping of large areas, with interchangeable cables and GNSS extension poles for flexibility.
Drone-mounted: Enables mapping in inaccessible or hazardous areas, such as underground mines or under bridges.
Pole or Cage-mounted: Useful for specialized tasks like ceiling voids or infrastructure inspections.

This plug-and-play design, as highlighted in product descriptions, allows easy switching between platforms, making it adaptable for diverse environments. It can start a scan outdoors using RTK and seamlessly transition to SLAM capture indoors, eliminating the need for indoor control points, which is particularly beneficial for forestry, construction progress tracking, and GPS-denied environments (Backpack RTK Offer).

Ease of Use and User Experience

The Backpack RTK is designed for rapid deployment, with users able to be up and scanning in minutes. It automates geo-referencing and drift-correction, reducing the need to lay out ground control points, which speeds up the data capture process and minimises errors. Real-time monitoring of RTK quality is available in Commander, and data processing, including automatic geo-referencing and re-projection to desired coordinate systems, is handled in Aura. Optional enhancements like 360 colorisation and 360 image extraction add context to point clouds, aiding stakeholder understanding (Emesent Backpack RTK).

The system’s compatibility with GNSS receivers like Emlid RS2/2+/3 and Trimble R10/R12/R12i units further enhances its usability, ensuring integration with industry-standard equipment. The ergonomic design and weather-sealed construction (IP65) ensure reliability in harsh conditions, from rain to extreme temperatures, making it suitable for both above-ground and underground applications.

Comparison with Competitors

To position the Backpack RTK as the best and most versatile, a comparison with leading competitors is essential.

Scan Rate: Emesent’s system significantly outperforms competitors, with over one million points per second compared to 640,000 for GreenValley and 320,000 for FJD, enabling faster data collection.

Accuracy: The sub-centimeter accuracy of Emesent’s system is superior to GreenValley’s ±3 cm relative and 5 cm absolute, and FJD’s 0.8-2 cm, making it ideal for high-precision applications.
Versatility: Emesent’s multiple deployment options (handheld, backpack, drone, vehicle, etc.) offer greater flexibility than GreenValley’s primarily backpack-focused design and FJD’s handheld with limited additional modes.
Ease of Use and Durability: The automated processes and weather-sealed design of Emesent’s system provide a user-friendly and robust solution, with less detailed information available for competitors on these aspects.

Other competitors, such as Viametris and Robin backpack, were mentioned in research but lacked sufficient specification data for detailed comparison. For instance, Viametris reported up to 5 cm accuracy with satellite reception, and Robin claimed 2 cm positional error, but no evaluation papers were found, limiting their comparison (Indoor and Outdoor Backpack Mapping).

Unique Features and Market Positioning

Emesent’s Backpack RTK stands out with several unique features:

Integration of RTK and SLAM: Intelligently leverages both for optimized results, ensuring reliable point clouds in GPS-denied environments, a feature not as comprehensively detailed in competitors.
360 Colorisation and Image Extraction: Adds visual context to point clouds, enhancing data interpretation, which is an optional enhancement for Emesent but not highlighted in competitor offerings.
Independent Verification: The October 2024 report by Orion Spatial Solutions validates its geo-referencing accuracy, adding credibility, unlike competitors with less public validation.

Its ability to handle both above-ground and underground mapping, indoors and out, with a single system, positions it as a comprehensive solution for industries like construction, forestry, mining, and surveying. The system’s design, tested and verified against 75 quality control points, ensures it meets high standards for professional use (Global Georeferencing Accuracy).

Conclusion

Based on the analysis, Emesent’s Backpack RTK, powered by Hovermap ST-X, is the best and most versatile LiDAR scanner on the market as of March 26, 2025. Its superior scan rate, sub-centimetre accuracy, and multi-mode deployment options outshine competitors like GreenValley’s LiBackpack DGC50H and FJD Trion S1. The system’s ease of use, robust design, and unique features, such as automated geo-referencing and 360 colorisation, make it an unparalleled choice for professionals seeking efficiency and precision in 3D mapping and surveying.

This evaluation is supported by product documentation, independent reports, and comparative analysis, ensuring a comprehensive understanding of its capabilities and market position.