AGM Systems Makes Multi-Year Agreement With Velodyne Lidar for Ultra Puck in UAVs

AGM said it is the first provider in Russia to use lidar in fixed-wing drones for mapping in a variety of industries.

AGM Systems


AGM Systems said it will use Velodyne’s Ultra Puck lidar sensor in its new AGM-MS3 UAV, the second generation of one of the most popular mapping systems in Russia.
Velodyne Lidar will work with Russia-based AGM Systems to include its Ultra Puck sensor in the new AGM-MS3 drone mapping system.

Velodyne Lidar Inc. this week announced a multi-year agreement with AGM Systems LLC, which will use Velodyne's Ultra Puck lidar sensor in the new AGM-MS3 drone mapping system. It said AGM is the first company in Russia to use lidar on fixed-wing unmanned aerial vehicles, or UAVs.

San Jose, Calif.-based Velodyne Lidar claims to be the first public pure-play lidar company. The company said its real-time surround-view lidar sensors and software can provide flexibility, quality, and performance for applications including smart cities and security. Velodyne added that its innovations can advance mobility systems such as autonomous vehicles, advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS), robots, and aerial drones.

AGM Systems provides hardware and software for the collection, processing, and analysis of air and mobile mapping data. The Russian company said it serves the global energy sector with its multi-functional, high-performance systems based on Velodyne’s technology. 

In addition, AGM Systems said it provides comprehensive implementation of laser scanning technologies in the production process. AGM relies on experienced specialists in the fields of physics, geodesy, applied mathematics and other disciplines to solve complex technical problems and provide innovative products for customers. The company said its offerings are intended for customers, ranging from universities and surveyors to design and construction market leaders.

The AGM-MS3 AGM-PS inertial navigation systems, Velodyne Lidar sensor output, and proprietary software to to obtain centimeter-level accuracy when scanning from heights of up to 200 meters. Source: AGM Systems

Velodyne to support AGM-MS3

AGM said it chose Velodyne's Ultra Puck for its high quality, low power consumption, and reliability. The company said the AGM-MS3 is the second generation of one of the most popular UAV lidar-scanning technologies for mapping in Russia. AGM's customers and partners have validated its previous systems.

“The data quality of the AGM-MS3, enabled by Velodyne Lidar’s Ultra Puck, is confirmed by assessments carried out at a specialized testing site of the university,” said Kamina Nadezha, rector at Moscow State University of Geodesy and Cartography. “In the course of the study, the accuracy, detail, repeatability and stability of the system were evaluated. At the moment, this is the best solution on the Russian market for UAV mapping with lidar, verified by our university.”

The combination of AGM-PS inertial navigation systems, detailed Velodyne Lidar output, and proprietary software makes it possible to obtain centimeter-level accuracy when scanning from heights of up to 200 meters, said the partners. Precise navigation and safe landing are key factors for UAV usage, which AGM Systems cited as reasons for its chose of Velodyne’s compact user interface.

“Velodyne’s Ultra Puck lidar sensors are reliable, accurate, and versatile,” stated Mischenko Yury, production director at AGM Systems. “They meet the needs of our customers with low weight, low power consumption, and ease of integration. Velodyne is a well-respected name in the industry and a valued partner for us.”

“Some of the largest companies in the world rely on AGM solutions equipped with Velodyne’s Ultra Puck to achieve precise mapping,” said Erich Smidt, executive director of Velodyne Europe. “AGM Systems’ UAVs are a great example of how Velodyne’s sensors enable surveying, real-time assessment, and monitoring applications of valuable energy resources.”

AGM offers systems for airborne laser scanning from unmanned aerial vehicles.

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AGM Systems

AGM Systems said it will use Velodyne’s Ultra Puck lidar sensor in its new AGM-MS3 UAV, the second generation of one of the most popular mapping systems in Russia.


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