Research
Laser Scanning for Better Information
Underwater laser scanning is ideal for many subsea scientific endeavours. The high resolution provided by the technology allows for detailed 3D models of subsea environments to be rendered. These 3D models function as highly accurate references from which further analysis can be conducted.
Flume Tank
Flexible Analysis
- Flume tanks provide a controlled arena for testing a wide array of underwater phenomenon ranging from scour analysis to marine biology to equipment testing.
- Often in flume tank applications, acquiring data can be a challenge as the subject is both submerged and sensitive to contact and the water flow around them.
Contactless, Time Saving Laser Scanning
- 2G Robotics’ laser scanners enable researchers to acquire high resolution 3D point clouds of their subjects, with no interference with the experiment and while the experiment is underwater since there is no need to drain the tank.
- Since the laser scanner captures complete point clouds of the subjects in minutes, measurements can be made retroactively and new measurements can be taken if the needs of the researchers change.
Shipwreck
3D Mapping of Underwater Historical Sites
- 3D models generated by laser scanning are invaluable for increasing access to the world’s maritime history and heritage by enabling historic underwater sites to be virtually experienced.
Underwater Exploration
- Obtaining detailed information of shipwreck sites is critical for generating accurate historical records.
- By surveying, excavating, and analyzing the material remains of shipwrecks, a more in-depth understanding of human culture and exploration can be attained.
Obtain Detailed Records
- Photography and videography can be used to capture imagery of underwater archaeological sites, but the imagery does not provide any dimensional information.
- With laser scanning, accurate dimensional information of underwater archaeological sites can be captured for the creation of highly detailed historical records and provide an understanding of site transformation over time.
Marine Artifacts
Preserving Underwater Historical Sites
- Obtaining detailed documentation of underwater historical sites provides valuable insight into our cultural heritage and helps to digitally preserve artifacts for future generations.
Increased Documentation Efficiency
- Exploring and documenting underwater historical sites can be costly due to the amount of dive time involved.
- Compared to traditional methods, underwater laser scanning can quickly produce detailed dimensional records of artifacts in situ, notably reducing dive times and excavation costs.
- Underwater laser scanning provides a contact-less method for divers to efficiently document entire sites and map the exact location of objects and artifacts.
Detailed Dimensional Records
- 2G Robotics’ underwater laser scanners can be used in the field to scan entire sites or in the lab to scan individual artifacts for close examination and resolution of fine dimensional details.
- The models help increase public access to history by enabling everyone to virtually experience the world’s underwater historical sites.
Marine Biology
Coral Habitats
- Coral reefs are dynamic and diverse ecosystems at risk of dramatic decline due to global climate change and local anthropogenic stressors.
- Understanding changes in complexity, morphology, growth rate, size distribution, coverage, rugosity, and topography of the habitats is critical for understanding the impact of anthropogenic stressors on these ecosystems.
Limitations of Traditional Methods
- Acoustic technologies provide a coarse analysis of habitat complexity but do not provide the necessary detail to understand the role of habitat complexity and degradation on finer scales.
- Traditional photographic methods also have limitations as still images do not sufficiently capture the fine-scale dimensional features for integrating the complex structure of corals and other sessile reef organisms into hydrodynamic models.
Capture Fine-Scale Dimensional Details
- Structural and habitat complexity are key variables for understanding reef degradation and how reef biota respond to anthropogenic stressors, disturbance events, and change. Underwater laser scanning is an advanced, innovative technology that is optimal for documenting this complexity.
