Students benefit from cutting-edge laser technology

A new state-of-the-art laser scanner, which is revolutionising the way geographers, engineers, police officers, and scientists solve problems, is now transforming the problem-solving ability of students at Kingston University. Scientists studying coastal erosion can use the laser scanner to measure even the smallest changes to the landscape, while engineers can utilise it to accurately measure the size of a hole in the ground and predict the amount of material they will need to fill it in

The delivery comes as Kingston University has been recognised as one of the world’s first Environmental Systems Research Institute Development Centers in Geographical Information Systems – the first outside North America. The accolade will allow staff and students greater access to the latest software and the chance to work directly with ESRI on a range of exciting initiatives. Dr Aileen Creegan, Associate Dean of the Faculty of Science, said being named as an ESRI Development Center in GIS was a major achievement for the University’s School of Geography, Geology and Environmental Science

The Leica laser scanner will be used by students studying Geographical Information Systems (GIS), a course which combines the theories and concepts of geography with information and communication technology. Police officers, council staff and engineers taking part in the University’s Professional Training Programme course will also benefit.

Principal Lecturer Dr Kenneth Field, Course Director for GIS, said students trained to use the new equipment would be leaving Kingston with up-to-date knowledge of the latest techniques. “Our high-definition, terrestrial-laser scanner can capture around 50,000 points of data a second,” he said. “It allows us to capture high-definition surveys, including the height, width and depth, of a wide range of objects from the natural and built environment. This might include modelling crime scenes, exploring the effectiveness of river channel restoration or analysing street scenes and allows us to look in fine detail to the nearest millimetre.”

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