Aeryon Labs and Pix4D Create First Hi-Res 3D Model of Christ the Redeemer

By Caroline Rees / 18 Feb 2015

Smart Sourcing for Unmanned Systems

Discover cutting-edge solutions from leading global suppliers
SUPPLIER SPOTLIGHT
Follow UST

Pix4D 3D Model of Christ the RedeemerAeryon Labs and Pix4D have collaborated to construct the first accurate 3D model of the Christ the Redeemer statue in Rio de Janeiro. Pix4D were originally contacted by the NEXT Lab of the Pontifical Catholic University of Rio de Janeiro to determine if a 3D reconstruction could be achieved using both image processing technology and Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) for data acquisition, and the Aeryon quad-rotor aerial platform was chosen as the operational UAV.

The Christ the Redeemer statue is Brazil’s most important monument. Located atop the 700 meter Corcovado Mountain the Christ statue towers over Rio de Janeiro, at 38 meters of height and with a 28 meter arm span. Accurate 3D reconstruction has not been possible until today because technologies such as LiDAR cannot scan the complete statue due to its size, location, difficult accessibility and challenging weather conditions. All previous 3D models and replicas of the statue have been designed by hand.

“This project took years of waiting by the NEXT Lab team and many months of planning and collaboration across several time zones to pull the technologies together in Rio,” commented Dave Kroetsch, Aeryon’s President and CEO. “We are pleased to have participated and that the Aeryon UAV platform was instrumental in creating the first accurate 3D model of the Christ the Redeemer monument.”

Data was collected for six consecutive mornings, on-site in late October. The main challenges for the data acquisition were the changing weather and wind conditions, restricted hours for data acquisition (flights could only take place before and after visiting hours) and inconsistent lighting conditions (shadows in early morning and late afternoon). A total of 3,584 images were acquired during 19 ten-minute flights.

2,090 images were used in Pix4Dmapper Pro desktop software to convert them into the 3D model. The reconstruction was divided into three main projects (statue, base and surrounding area) and nine-sub-projects to help manage the variations in image capture. Signal reflectance was one of the many challenges faced and affected the geotag accuracy; as a result, the sub-projects were processed without geotags. Eighty-two manual tie points were required to merge all sub-projects, while Pix4Dmapper’s point editing tools and annotating feature were used to crop out background points, such as the sky. Finally, a linear measurement, taken onsite by the project team, was used to provide the correct scale for the final result.

“Creating the first ever accurate 3D model of such a renowned statue with our software is a great way to showcase how image processing technology can achieve results that traditional technologies haven’t been able to produce,” said Christoph Strecha, CEO and Founder of Pix4D. “With its intricate detail, the statue was also a perfect structure to test out our new 3D textured mesh.”

The final 3D model, available both as a point cloud of 134.4 million points (97.6 million for the statue, 30.7 million for the terrace and 6.1 million for the surroundings) and as a full 3D textured mesh of 2.5 million triangles with a texture of 16384px x16384px, will be used and presented by PUC University for upcoming projects in the near future.

Posted by Caroline Rees Caroline co-founded Unmanned Systems Technology and has been at the forefront of the business ever since. With a Masters Degree in marketing Caroline has her finger on the pulse of all things unmanned and is committed to showcasing the very latest in unmanned technical innovation. Connect & Contact

Latest Articles

IMSAR & TEKEVER Partner to Enhance UAS with Advanced SAR Technology

IMSAR and TEKEVER are set to integrate advanced Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) technology into unmanned aerial systems, enhancing surveillance, intelligence, and reconnaissance capabilities for defense and security operations

Feb 11, 2025
UAV Navigation-Grupo Oesía provides its autopilot for the MCSD Demonstrator

UAV Navigation-Grupo Oesía supports SATNUS in advancing Manned-Unmanned Teaming (MUT) technology with its autopilot system for the Manned-Unmanned Teaming & Common Systems Demonstrator (MCSD)

Feb 11, 2025
ParaZero Enables BVLOS Drone Operations with Advanced Safety Systems

ParaZero’s advanced safety technology has enabled an Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) waiver for BVLOS drone operations, marking a significant step toward safer, more expansive commercial drone applications in various industries

Feb 11, 2025
New CTD Cell Developed for Oceanography

With WHOI and BIOS, D-2 Inc. has developed, tested, and produced for field testing a new and more precise version of the company’s flow through closed field conductivity cell

Feb 11, 2025
75,000 Flight Hours and Counting as Volatus Expands Aerial Monitoring Capabilities

Volatus Aerospace has reached 75,000 flight hours in pipeline monitoring, showcasing its expertise in aerial inspections and commitment to advancing real-time, data-driven infrastructure safety solutions

Feb 11, 2025
Ellipse Series Enhanced with Latest Firmware Upgrade

The new firmware update from SBG Systems integrates the latest World Magnetic Model (WMM) to improve navigation precision, even for first-generation Ellipse sensors

Feb 11, 2025

Featured Content

Ellipse Series Enhanced with Latest Firmware Upgrade

The new firmware update from SBG Systems integrates the latest World Magnetic Model (WMM) to improve navigation precision, even for first-generation Ellipse sensors

Feb 11, 2025
Advanced FOG-Based Inertial Sensing Solutions for Drones & Robotics

Aegiverse's products feature a multi-layered architecture that combines multiple elements into a compact module, providing significant, size, weight and cost reductions

Feb 06, 2025
Vertiq’s 81-08 G2 Module Added to DIU’s Blue UAS Framework

Vertiq's 81-08 G2 servo motor and control system for Group 2 sUAS has become the first motor and ESC combination to be approved under the U.S. government's Blue UAS Framework

Feb 05, 2025