A Q&A with Vincent Legrand, Vice President of Sales at GeoCue
GeoCue is excited to announce the launch of the TrueView GO, a revolutionary addition to our product lineup. This handheld mapping sensor comes in two models: the 16-channel 116S and the 32-channel 132S. Both models integrate advanced GNSS RTK, survey-grade LiDAR scanning, cameras, and visual SLAM technologies, allowing users to effortlessly generate digital twins in real-time. To give you an in-depth understanding of this innovative product, we sat down with Vincent Legrand, the Vice President of Sales at GeoCue, for a detailed Q&A session.
Q: Why is GeoCue launching the TrueView GO?
Vincent Legrand: We see several opportunities by launching these new solutions. The handheld LiDAR technology market is booming, and it’s a perfect time for GeoCue to diversify our business and attract new customers. People are looking for flexibility in data acquisition, and the TrueView GO delivers that. Now, you can collect data using a drone, car, or walking. GeoCue evolves with the market, and in addition to our drone LiDAR technology, we now offer systems that meet your data collection needs wherever you are.
The TrueView GO significantly expands the range of use cases for LiDAR technology, allowing customers to tackle a wider variety of projects, including complex applications like indoor 3D modeling and underground mining surveys. With this versatility, businesses can now take on more diverse and challenging jobs, broadening their service offerings. What truly sets the TrueView GO apart is not only its best-in-class hardware package, designed with everything you need for success but also the integration of our powerful LP360 3D point cloud software. Developed in the USA since 2006, LP360 provides unmatched precision and efficiency in processing LiDAR data, giving our customers a distinct competitive advantage.
Q: What are the main market segments targeted with TrueView GO?
Vincent Legrand: The TrueView GO, with its advanced SLAM capabilities, is perfect for environments where GPS is unreliable, such as dense forests, underground or deep mining areas, and indoor spaces. This technology is invaluable for surveying, civil engineering, and BIM professionals, as well as for agricultural and forestry surveying, power line inspection, material pile volume calculation, and data collection in underground spaces.
Q: Is the market for TrueView GO already developed?
Vincent Legrand: Yes, the handheld scanner market is more mature than the UAV LiDAR market. The market has seen significant growth in recent years, driven by advancements in 3D mapping technology and increasing demand for portable scanning solutions across various industries. Organizations are seeking efficient and accurate methods for capturing spatial data in dynamic environments where traditional stationary scanners may be impractical or insufficient.
Q: What makes the TrueView GO different from other solutions?
Vincent Legrand: The TrueView GO stands out with five key differentiators that set it apart from other handheld mapping solutions. First, it features survey-grade LiDAR technology from Hesai, leveraging our years of expertise in aerial and mobile mapping. The TrueView GO 116S employs the Hesai XT-16 for robust general performance, while the advanced TrueView GO 132S uses the Hesai M2X sensor, offering double the channels, enhanced range, a wider field of view, and a lighter build for more demanding environments.
Second, unlike competitors who offer cameras as an optional add-on that may not cover the entire LiDAR field of view, the TrueView GO includes three strategically placed 5 MP cameras. These cameras capture RGB photography, ensuring that LiDAR data and camera information are complementary, allowing for consistently colorized point clouds.
Third, the integration of high-quality, multi-frequency GNSS augments the SLAM capabilities of the TrueView GO, enhancing both accuracy and efficiency in data collection. This advanced GNSS system supports both RTK and PPK correction modes and eliminates the need for repeated path walks or loop closures.
Fourth, the TrueView GO comes with a dedicated tablet and a full software suite, including the TV GO application, which displays georeferenced, colorized point clouds in real-time in the field. Back at the office, users can utilize LP360 Land software included with each unit to process and perform quality checks on the data, with several packages available to suit various needs.
Finally, the TrueView GO offers a streamlined user experience with no cables, no external batteries, computers, or phones needed, and no requirement for additional hardware such as external cameras or GNSS antennas. This integration provides a complete, hassle-free package, enhancing mobility and ease of use in the field.
Q: What is the difference between TrueView GO 116S and TrueView GO 132S?
Vincent Legrand: The main difference lies in the LiDAR sensor. The TrueView GO 116S is equipped with a Hesai Panda XT-16, with 16 LiDAR channels, while the TrueView GO 132S is equipped with a Hesai M2X The 132S model has double the laser channels, offering higher point density, better range, and a wider field of view, all in a lighter package.
Q: What accessories are delivered with the TrueView GO?
Vincent Legrand: The TrueView GO comes with everything you need to start handheld scanning right away, including three batteries, a tablet, the TrueView GO app, and a chest mount for ease of use.
Q: What software packages will be offered with TrueView GO?
Vincent Legrand: We offer two software packages: LP360 Land Basic and LP360 Land Standard. LP360 Land Basic is the minimum option and provides basic functionalities to process LAS files. LP360 Land Standard offers advanced features such as multi-cycling processing, management of control points, point cloud registration, and automatic target recognition, leveraging the full geospatial processing power of the LP360 platform. It’s important to note that LP360 Land is different from LP360 Drone, and customers using LP360 Drone won’t be able to process their TrueView GO datasets.
Q: Will TrueView GO users be able to use LP360 Cloud?
Vincent Legrand: Yes, they will be able to purchase and use LP360 Cloud licenses to store, share, and stream data, just like our other solutions. We continue to see tremendous growth in our collection of cloud-based tools and resources, making it easy for users to manage, archive, share, and collaborate on geospatial projects.
Q: Can TrueView GO data be processed with LP360 Drone?
Vincent Legrand: No, it won’t be possible. LP360 Land will be the only software capable of processing TrueView GO data.
Q: Where can I purchase a TrueView GO?
Vincent Legrand: The TrueView GO will be sold through our existing TrueView distribution network worldwide. To find a distributor near you, please check our GeoCue distributor locator on our website. Our GeoCue team will also sell the TrueView GO directly to all existing customers. Additionally, we will soon make it extremely easy and convenient to acquire the TrueView GO through our online store at www.geocue.com.
Q: Will GeoCue offer training for TrueView GO customers?
Vincent Legrand: Yes, GeoCue offers both free monthly in-person and online training. We provide structured training courses covering a broad range of LiDAR mapping workflows, helping your staff become more efficient with our software and drone mapping tools. Our training includes tools and techniques, mapping methods, and industry best practices. We can provide training virtually or in person, depending on your preference. Our support will also include a segment focused on TrueView GO in our monthly training sessions.
Q: What are your final thoughts about the TrueView GO?
Vincent Legrand: We are very excited to introduce this new product to our family of sensors. The TrueView GO gives you every option to collect data and make informed decisions about your projects: from the air, on the road, and now by simply walking with our handheld scanner. This device is versatile enough to be used in a wide array of environments and applications, from indoor settings to expansive outdoor areas. It’s perfect for fields such as forensic crime scene investigations, historic building preservation, facility digitalization, and Scan to BIM processes. Essentially, if you can walk through your project, you can utilize the TrueView GO.
This adaptability opens countless possibilities for professionals across various industries, ensuring that advanced mapping technology is now within reach of many more users. Please, come to us with any questions and we’ll be happy to show you how you can take advantage of this unique opportunity. We hope this Q&A session has provided you with valuable insights into the TrueView GO handheld scanner. For more information, visit our website or contact one of our LiDAR Experts today.