Complete Guide to YellowScan LiDAR Sensors (2026)
YellowScan develops integrated LiDAR mapping systems for UAVs, helicopters, and aircraft. Each system combines a laser scanner, GNSS/INS navigation, onboard storage, and batteries into a turnkey aerial mapping solution.
Their product lineup spans systems for entry-level mapping, engineering-grade surveying, bathymetric LiDAR, and NDAA-compliant government projects.
YellowScan LiDAR Product Line Overview
| Category | Sensors | Primary Use |
|---|---|---|
| Entry / Lightweight | Mapper, Mapper+ | Small UAV mapping |
| Mid-range Survey | Surveyor Ultra | Infrastructure inspection & dense surveys |
| Large Area Mapping | Explorer | Corridor and regional mapping |
| High Precision | Voyager | Engineering-grade surveys |
| Bathymetric | Navigator | Water + terrain mapping |
| Secure / Government | Venturer | NDAA-compliant LiDAR mapping |
YellowScan LiDAR Sensor Comparison
| Sensor | Accuracy | Precision | Max Flight Altitude | Point Rate | Weight | Primary Use |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mapper | ~3 cm | ~2 cm | ~70 m | ~240k pts/sec | ~1.5 kg | Entry UAV LiDAR mapping |
| Mapper+ | 4 cm | 3.5 cm | 100 m | 240k pts/sec | 1.1 kg | Lightweight UAV mapping |
| Surveyor Ultra | ~2–3 cm | ~3 cm | 140 m | ~640k shots/sec | ~1 kg | Dense survey & inspection |
| Explorer | ~2 cm | ~2–3 cm | ~300 m | ~500k pts/sec | ~2.6 kg | Large area mapping |
| Voyager | 1 cm | 0.5 cm | 440 m | Up to 2.4M shots/sec | 3.5 kg | High-precision engineering surveys |
| Navigator | 3 cm | 3 cm | 100 m | 20k shots/sec | 3.7 kg | Bathymetric LiDAR mapping |
| Venturer | Survey-grade | Survey-grade | Varies | High-density | Enterprise class | NDAA-compliant LiDAR system |
Sensor Breakdown
Mapper
The YellowScan Mapper is an entry-level UAV LiDAR system designed for organizations beginning aerial LiDAR mapping workflows.
- Livox-based laser scanner
- Up to ~240,000 points per second
- Designed for small UAV platforms
- Typical flight altitude around 70 meters
Common applications include forestry surveys, construction site mapping, and smaller topographic surveys.
Mapper+
Mapper+ improves on the original Mapper with a lighter payload and upgraded scanner technology designed for faster UAV operations.
- Scanner: Livox AVIA
- Max altitude: 100 m
- Precision: 3.5 cm
- Accuracy: 4 cm
- Weight: 1.1 kg
- Up to 3 returns per pulse
This system is widely used for forestry surveys, corridor mapping, and construction progress monitoring.
Surveyor Ultra
Surveyor Ultra is a mid-range professional LiDAR system capable of capturing dense point clouds and mapping complex environments.
- High point density scanning
- 360° scanning capability
- Optional RGB camera integration
- Ideal for infrastructure inspection
Typical applications include building inspection, cliff mapping, quarry surveys, and urban modeling.
Explorer
Explorer is designed for large-scale mapping and multi-platform deployment across UAVs, helicopters, and light aircraft.
- Max altitude around 300 m
- Survey-grade accuracy
- Multi-platform compatibility
Common uses include corridor mapping, forestry inventories, and infrastructure monitoring.
Voyager
Voyager is YellowScan’s flagship high-performance LiDAR system designed for engineering-grade and national-scale mapping projects.
- Accuracy: 1 cm
- Precision: 0.5 cm
- Max altitude: 440 m
- Laser range: 1,250 m
- Up to 2.4 million shots per second
It is commonly used for large infrastructure surveys and high-density terrain mapping in dense vegetation environments.
Navigator (Bathymetric LiDAR)
Navigator is YellowScan’s bathymetric LiDAR system designed to map both terrain and shallow water using a green laser capable of penetrating water surfaces.
- Accuracy: 3 cm
- Precision: 3 cm
- Max altitude: 100 m
- Field of view: 40°
- Weight: 3.7 kg
Typical applications include coastal mapping, river surveys, dam inspection, and dredging analysis.
Venturer
Venturer is YellowScan’s newest LiDAR system designed to meet NDAA compliance requirements for government and defense projects.
- NDAA-compliant supply chain
- Secure components
- Survey-grade performance
This system targets organizations performing government mapping, defense infrastructure inspection, and other secure geospatial operations.
Which YellowScan LiDAR Should You Choose?
| Use Case | Recommended Sensor |
|---|---|
| Small UAV mapping | Mapper+ |
| Inspection and dense surveys | Surveyor Ultra |
| Large-area corridor mapping | Explorer |
| Ultra-high precision mapping | Voyager |
| Water and terrain mapping | Navigator |
| Government and NDAA projects | Venturer |
