YellowScan and Nokia announce strategic partnership to enable 5G based LiDAR scanning for industrial use cases

This collaboration focuses on automation of 5G based LiDAR scanning on drones for telecommunications tower and utilities inspections, mining use cases, where precision, efficiency, and safety are paramount. The joint development plans of both companies bear the potential to reduce the operational cost of industrial inspections in the selected verticals by more than 60%.

The deployment of YellowScan’s Surveyor Ultra as one of the key payloads for Nokia Drone Networks and leveraging 5G to stream the LiDAR scanning results in real-time are key elements to this partnership. The Nokia drone-in-a-box solution together with Yellowscan’s LiDAR scanners will significantly enhance the capabilities of Nokia drones, enabling automated, high-resolution scans and the creation of highly accurate digital twins of industrial sites.

Key Aspects of the Partnership:

Advanced Lidar Integration: YellowScan’s Surveyor Ultra will be integrated into the Nokia Drone Networks solution, providing unparalleled accuracy and detail in 3D mapping and environmental scanning. This integration is essential for precise inspections and assessments in challenging industrial environments.

5G Native Connectivity: The 5G-native Nokia drone solution will ensure real-time data transmission, allowing instant analysis and decision-making. This high-speed connectivity is crucial for applications requiring immediate insights, such as detecting structural issues in telecom towers or when assessing operational safety for mining and utilities. 5G also enables remote operations, flying Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) without personnel in the field.

Automated Inspections and Scans: The collaboration will enable fully automated inspection routines, reducing the need for manual interventions and minimizing human exposure to hazardous environments. Automated scans will ensure consistent data quality and repeatability, improving overall operational efficiency.

Creation of Digital Twins: Utilizing the high-fidelity data captured by YellowScan Surveyor Ultra, Nokia Drone Networks will facilitate the creation of digital twins within the Mission Critical Industrial Edge (MXIE) and enable virtual replicas of physical assets. These digital twins will allow for detailed analysis, predictive maintenance, and simulation, driving better asset management and operational planning.

Enhanced Safety and Efficiency: By combining the robust Nokia drone technology with YellowScan’s precise sensing capabilities, the partnership aims to set new benchmarks for safety and efficiency in industrial inspections and operations. This collaboration will help industries transition towards more automated, data-driven processes, reducing costs and improving reliability.