COLIBRI

Project context

Efficient measurement methods are required for monitoring underwater and coastal regions. This is relevant because these regions are subject to constant changes, e.g. due to corrosion, but are difficult to monitor due to their underwater location. The registration of such changes is relevant as structures that have their foundations under water, such as wind farms, can be affected by these changes.

Cartography, coastal protection, flood protection, inspection, offshore construction and hydrology can also benefit from monitoring coastal areas.

The project was carried out by Fraunhofer IPM in collaboration with the Finnish Geospatial Research Institute (FGI) and the Chair of Hydrology at the University of Freiburg. The IPM was responsible for developing the scanning systems - both for use on the drone and for underwater applications. The software was developed in the MulDiScan pilot project, the sensors were designed in the SwInG demonstrator project and set up for mobile use in the SwInG 4.0 scaling project. The results already researched were incorporated into the development of the test systems together with the FGI's research.

Project description

In the CoLiBri (Collaborative LiDAR to Monitor Infrastructure in the Water and at the Shoreline) project, a measurement system was developed for use on a drone, which can be used to comprehensively monitor changes in coastal areas. Both a measurement system and evaluation software were developed for this purpose. Navigation and positioning solutions were integrated into the overall system for practical use.

The underwater measurement system developed in the previous FORESEE project was further developed.

Project results

The scanner unit, the optical filters, the telescopes for adapting the light beam geometry, the motors and also the electronics for processing the data as well as the amplification and processing of measurement signals were further developed and adapted to the new underwater conditions.

The measuring system was optimised in terms of energy consumption, heat generation and dimensions.

The development of new positioning software that references and registers measurement data accordingly was very relevant for analysing the collected data.

A particular challenge when measuring underwater is the presence of interfering particles in the water. The systems were optimised for this so that measurement accuracies in the centimetre range can be achieved. Measurements were carried out in Freiburg and Finland as part of the project.

Project utilisation

Contracts have already been concluded with HafenCity University Hamburg, Clausthal University of Technology and Fraunhofer IGD for the application and further development of the newly developed laser scanners. PSE Instruments GmbH is assisting with the realisation of the project.

A patent has also been filed and the research results have been presented at various conferences.