Western Australian survey and spatial information firm McMullen Nolan Group (MNG) has unveiled its new purpose-designed MLS vehicle, the Cirrus.
After initiating and spearheading MNG’s MLS development and capability in 2009, MNG laser scanning manager John Nolan said Cirrus’ development was a significant step forward in mobile laser scanning technology and serviceability in Australia.
“Cirrus incorporates the latest on-the-market MLS technology, an aircraft-grade inertial navigation unit, and a 5×5 megapixel camera for capturing digital imagery. All components of the system are controlled through custom MNG developed software to achieve the highest possible accuracy, a process which has taken the company more than six months,” he said.
Although Cirrus is a dedicated scanning vehicle, MNG’s design allows the scanning assembly to be removed from the Cirrus vehicle and shipped around the country regardless of a client’s project’s location.
McMullen Nolan Group will embark on a 2,000km road show starting in Adelaide and heading around the east coast of Australia later this year to launch Cirrus to interstate customers, while also collecting sample data that will be used in client presentations to help showcase the system’s features.
Since pioneering the use of customised MLS technology for high-accuracy corridor surveys in 2009, MNG has completed several thousand kilometres of rural road survey in various Australian states, the Mitchell and Kwinana Freeways in Perth, the M5 and M4 Motorways in Sydney and the M1, M3, Centenary and Gateway Motorways in Brisbane. In addition to these road surveys, MNG has completed several thousand kilometres of high-accuracy rail MLS surveys across Western Australia and Queensland.
Cirrus and key MNG MLS staff will be visiting all major centres on the coastal fringe from Adelaide to Brisbane as part of their road show.
At the conclusion of the road show Cirrus will be based in the Sydney area, allowing it to be employed easily as required to service the east coast of Australia.
