Laos Revealed: A Story of Culture, Challenge, and Change

Overview:                                                                                                                                              Hi, everyone, this is Alan Pecor. I am the sole author of this blog. Please disregard any spelling and grammar errors because blogging is not my main occupation. Apologies aside, this post is perhaps one of the most important articles I have created because it brings attention to an issue that I will never forget. This issue was brought to my attention through volunteering in Laos last year (see Figure 1 below). Let me share with you a journey that has forever changed my perspective.

Figure 1: Me Looking at Nong Khiaw Laos 

Volunteer Background:                                                                                                     In 2023, I took some time off work and ventured to Laos, a landlocked country bordered by Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand, Myanmar, and China. My mission was twofold: to teach English and engage in environmental projects, including permaculture, which seeks to foster sustainable and self-sufficient communities. In addition to having the privilege of being immersed in Laos's culture, I was able to learn about a part of history that isn't commonly known. Amidst the breathtaking landscapes (shown in Figure 2 below) and the warmth of the local community, I became educated about the silent menace lurking beneath the soil—the legacy of unexploded ordnances (UXOs).

Laos Since the Vietnam War:                                                                                  Laos remains scarred by its title as the most heavily bombed country per capita in history, a consequence of over two million tons of ordnance dropped during the Vietnam War. Decades later, approximately 30% of these explosives still menace the land, claiming lives and limbs with chilling regularity. The United States, responsible for this enduring hazard, has contributed over $230 million towards clearance efforts—a figure dwarfed by the $13.3 billion (inflation-adjusted) spent on the bombing campaign. This stark disparity underscores a glaring need for increased investment in UXO clearance, a task complicated by Laos's rugged terrain and the inherent dangers of detecting buried explosives.

Figure 2: Looking at UXO Shells at UXO Visitors Centre Luang Prabang Laos

The magnitude of the problem is overwhelming, with an estimated 80 million undetonated cluster bombs continuing to pose a fatal threat to civilians. The challenge of locating these UXOs is daunting, hindered by technological and logistical constraints, yet the human cost of inaction is far greater. Referring to Figure (X), here are a few examples of UXOs that I observed at the UXO Lao History Museum, illustrating the grave reality on the ground. For further insight into the impact of UXOs, I recommend watching the video below:

UAS and UXO Removal:                                                    Innovatively, some UAVs are emerging as a critical tool in the daunting task of UXO detection. Equipped with advanced sensors and AI-driven software, UAVs can safely and efficiently survey vast areas, identifying potential UXO sites without risking human lives. Organizations like the Demining Research Community are at the forefront, pioneering the use of remote sensing, machine learning, and robotics to enhance the accuracy and safety of demining operations. This approach not only promises to accelerate the clearance process but also represents a significant leap towards safeguarding future generations from the horrors of past conflicts. For a deeper understanding of how UAV technology aids in UXO removal, watch the below video: 

Conclusion:                                                                                                                              Reflecting on my time in Laos, I'm struck by the juxtaposition of its serene beauty against the hidden dangers that lie beneath. It's not my intention to portray Laos as dangerous, but it is absolutely unacceptable to ignore that innocent people are still at risk. The resilience of its people, their unwavering spirit in the face of adversity, and the innovative strides being made towards a safer future are a testament to the enduring hope that defines Laos. As we witness the potential of drone technology to mitigate the UXO threat, we're reminded of the power of human ingenuity in overcoming the remnants of war. I plan to volunteer in Laos again in the future, driven by a conviction that our collective efforts can bring about real change. This belief reinforces the notion that, no matter who you are or what your opinion is, we all have the capacity to contribute to a better world—and that includes me.

Does Entry Level LiDAR Offer Value?

Looking at LiDAR Point Cloud Collected by L1 and Generated in DJI Terra

Overview 
Last year, I had the chance to rent a DJI Matrice 300 RTK and test its L1 LiDAR sensor (Figure 1). The L1 is DJI's first commercial LiDAR system, and its affordability caught my attention. Although I'd love to operate a $100,000+ cm survey-grade accurate LiDAR system, my current resources don't allow me to afford such an expensive system. Additionally, renting a survey-grade LiDAR is significantly pricier than renting an entry-level LiDAR.  

Figure 1: DJI L1

The point clouds generated by this system were impressive, particularly in areas with dense vegetation. However, visually pleasing point clouds are useless if we can't use them! This post aims to share my experiences with the L1, helping you better understand what it takes to make entry-level LiDAR work.. 

What is Entry Level LiDAR?
There is no definition of entry level LiDAR but I have classified the L1 an entry level LiDAR system because in my opinion, although it is not a survey grade LiDAR system, many people will purchase it as their first LiDAR UAS due to it’s simplicity, availability and affordability. Is it possible to obtain survey grade data using the L1? Since I am not a licensed surveyor, I shouldn’t answer that question, however I believe so. 

Nevertheless, I do not think the L1 will provide survey grade results in an accurate and repeatable way unless you are extremely careful in selecting the correct settings, planning the correct missions, and correctly integrating traditional survey data to the correct software. Here is a question for you, are the $150,000 survey grade LiDAR UAS user friendly? I assume user friendly enough to stay in business, but I ask this because  many seem to require hardware and software training. 

DJI Terra the Good, the Bad, the Ugly
Referencing DJI’s website, DJI Terra is a PC application software that mainly relies on 2D orthophotos and 3D model reconstruction, with functions such as 2D multispectral reconstruction, LiDAR point cloud processing, and detailed inspection missions. Released in 2020, DJI Terra is an alternative to other photogrammetry platforms such a Pix4d, Drone Deploy, Context Capture etc.. Figure 2 is a link to DJI Terra, while Figure 3 details items that I think are good, bad and ugly regarding DJI Terra and it's capabilities. 

Figure 2: Link to DJI Terra 

Figure 3: DJI Terra- The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly 

Visualization and Entry Level Tools 
As seen in Figure 4, DJI Terra displays points by RGB values, Height, Return, and Reflectivity. Once populated, the user can zoom into features of interest. One of my first concerns while viewing the RGB settings was the occasional dark spots along a tree line (Figure 5).

Figure 4: Point Displays in DJI Terra

Figure 5: Spots where Photogrammetry Colorization was Missed 

The dark spots are areas missed by the connected photogrammetry camera within the L1 unit. If this was a photogrammetry point cloud, the dark spots would represent missing data. Since the purpose of photogrammetry in this case is to colorize the LiDAR point cloud rather than construct a surface no actual "holes" were noted as confirmed in Figure 6. However, missing colors could be a major disadvantage if you rely on a colored point cloud to identify features.

 

Figure 6: Points Classified by Elevation Have no Dark Spots

In Figure 7 larger pavement markings could be identified, but items such as curb boundaries and ground lines are difficult if not impossible to identify. If you need to make break lines in your projects, it is likely your data from the L1 will not help you. Aside from basic measurement tools, coordinate system tools, and a volume tool, more can be done with the L1 data if you have access to other data analysis software. 

Figure 7: Looking at Pavement Markings 

How DJI Terra Compares to Other Software
Pun not intended; Cloud Compare is a free open-sourced point cloud processing software which can help analyze data from the L1 significantly more than DJI Terra., Below are functions I have been able to achieve using cloud compare:

    • Reducing the file size of the point cloud

    • Trimming excess data from the point cloud 

    • Generating surfaces

    • Generating contours

    • Removing vegetation 

In Figure 8, the L1 data is shown in Cloud Compare. One immediate observation is that the RGB display in Cloud Compare appears brighter and clearer than in DJI Terra's interface. Despite this advantage, however, the RGB point display from the L1 still presents challenges when it comes to identifying objects.

Figure 8: L1 Data Using Cloud Compare 

Data Analysis 

To assess the quality of LiDAR data, one useful approach is to check for any gaps or holes that may be hidden beneath the vegetation. Although I cannot disclose all the intricacies of LiDAR data analysis, my workflow allows me to eliminate vegetation without discarding the essential data required for surface generation. In Figure 9, you can see the point cloud with the vegetation removed and the ground points color-coded by height. For a closer look at the vegetation removal, please refer to Figure 10. 

Figure 9: Vegetation Removal Using Cloud Compare

Figure 10: Looking at Vegetation Removal 

In Figure 11, the data from the L1 is presented as a surface with contour lines. It is important to note that while the surface was checked against survey grade control points and had an RMSE error of approximately 1 inch, this does not mean that the entire dataset is off by one inch. Due to the hazardous terrain, dense vegetation, and budget constraints for the project, it was not possible to survey the entire site.

However, despite these logistical limitations, the data obtained was still deemed "good enough" for preliminary design purposes and provided valuable insights into the topography of the site beneath the vegetation. After transforming the point cloud into a surface, the extracted contours were overlaid onto the surface and integrated into CAD.

It should be noted that Figure 11 is not a map and does not represent the final integrated data in CAD. The CAD and UAS data integration process is a topic that requires an entirely separate blog post, and therefore, we will not be discussing it further in this article.

Figure 11: Example Surface Before CAD Integration 

Conclusion 

Entry-level LiDAR systems, such as the L1 sensor, can provide value to projects that require a moderate level of absolute accuracy, typically within 1-2 inches. However, claims of centimeter-level accuracy must be scrutinized to determine whether they refer to relative or absolute accuracy. It is worth noting that the L1 sensor may not be suitable for projects that demand detailed feature extraction due to its suboptimal point cloud colorization. While it is possible to improve the colorization by integrating the L1 point cloud with an orthomosaic created by a higher-quality camera, such as the P1, this approach may necessitate additional fieldwork, which comes with its limitations.

Several key takeaways emerged from a project that employed an L1 sensor in a fairly dense forest:

• The LiDAR system was capable of covering areas beneath the vegetation, which is significant.
• A 30-minute flight time could cover approximately 60 acres, which is impressive.
• Generating a LiDAR point cloud was surprisingly fast.
• Vehicle movement caused significant noise in the point cloud, which is something to consider when planning a LiDAR project.
• To get the most out of LiDAR hardware, software beyond DJI Terra will be necessary.
• When viewing profiles from the hard surface, L1 point clouds will exhibit a "fuzz" due to the limitations of the hardware.
• Photogrammetry with survey-grade ground control points (GCPs) appears to work better on hard surfaces than LiDAR.
• If survey-grade LiDAR deliverables are required, the investment may be around $500,000.

Overall, the L1 sensor is a suitable entry-level LiDAR system for projects that require moderate absolute accuracy and involve non-detailed feature extraction. However, it is essential to keep in mind the limitations and challenges that come with using this system, such as the fuzziness of point clouds and the impact of vehicle movement. Proper planning and investment in high-quality hardware, software, and GCPs are critical to ensuring successful LiDAR projects that meet specific requirements.