Introducing AutoScan: Real Photogrammtery for the Elios 3!

Elios 3 users can now automate consistent and accurate image acquisition across large planes and surfaces with AutoScan, a new feature that lets you capture high quality, photogrammetry-ready datasets for faster data navigation, detailed 3D modelling and AI inspection.

Photogrammetry requires systematic image acquisition with consistent coverage, sufficient overlap, and an appropriate level of detail. Achieving this manually across large surfaces is difficult and demanding, if not impossible. Navigating hundreds of individual images can also make it difficult to locate and assess defects in context.

AutoScan overcomes these challenges by automating image acquisition and enabling inspection data to be turned into cohesive 3D models for easier analysis.

See it in Action:

Key Features of AutoScan

Consistent Coverage: For photogrammetry, images need sufficient overlap and a consistent level of detail. AutoScan follows a scan pattern based on the area, target resolution, and overlap you define, reducing the manual work involved and helping limit gaps in the dataset.

Ready for Photogrammetry: Export the captured images and their associated position and orientation data to compatible photogrammetry software for 3D reconstruction and analysis.

Easier Data Navigation: Once processed in compatible photogrammetry software like PIX4Dmatic, the images form a 3D model you can navigate. This makes it easier to locate areas of interest and return to the source images for a closer look.

3D Defect Assessment: A feature or defect may extend beyond a single photograph. Viewing it in 3D helps you understand its shape, extent, and position on the asset, while giving colleagues a shared reference for discussing findings.

Where to Use AutoScan

AutoScan is designed to capture images across large planar surfaces. The resulting datasets can support different types of inspection, mapping, and documentation:

Infrastructure: Civil and structural engineers, inspection companies, and asset owners can use AutoScan to document concrete surfaces such as facades, bridge pillars, and retaining walls. The resulting 3D models can support structural inspection, defect documentation, condition assessment, and measurement.

Mining: Mining engineers, geologists, geotechnical teams, and mine operators can use AutoScan to document exposed rock surfaces in mine walls, stopes, and drawbells. The resulting 3D models can support geological mapping, rock-mass assessment, and geotechnical analysis—including in areas where geologists cannot safely collect observations in person.

Industrial & Warehousing: Facility managers, warehouse managers, logistics teams, and inspection providers can document storage racks, high-bay areas, and other large vertical surfaces. These datasets can support asset inspection and condition assessment, while repeated scans can help teams document changes over time.

While AutoScan can support a range of applications, the geometry of the asset is an important consideration. AutoScan flies a flat flight plan at a fixed distance from the surface you define. On curved assets such as tanks, silos, or chimneys, that distance changes across the scan, which affects image resolution and overlap.

For these assets, you can use a stepped flight plan: split the asset into several smaller scan blocks, each covering a section that is close to flat.

AutoScan is available today for all Elios 3 users with a Premium Software subscription. Contact us to learn more, or to renew your Premium Software licence if its expired.

More details on AutoScan at flyability.com