Toronto, Canada, July 13, 2012 — Optech, the world leader in the development, manufacture and support of advanced lidar and camera survey instruments, is pleased to announce that aerial surveying company Bluesky International has purchased a state-of-the-art airborne mapping system, which includes an ALTM lidar sensor as well as a fully integrated long-wave infrared thermal sensor and high-resolution ortho camera. The system combines the Optech Orion M300 ALTM with Optech's CM-LWIR640 and CS-10000 cameras.

The system chosen by Bluesky offers industry-leading data precision and accuracy, and is the world’s most compact system, offering flexibility in installation and use. Specifically designed as a cost-effective, high-performance solution at mid-altitudes, the Orion M300 is ideally suited for applications such as powerline mapping, transport infrastructure modelling, environmental monitoring, flood risk analysis and forestry management. In addition, it will enable Bluesky to capture highly accurate, high-density 3D measurements which they will use to create specialty map products such as the UK’s first solar potential map and 3D city models.

The thermal sensor records infrared measurements to identify heat loss from buildings and monitoring pipelines. It can be used simultaneously with the lidar or independently, depending on customer requirements. The camera captures images of the target sites and can also be used simultaneously with the other two sensors, providing customers with a wealth of coincident information for their area of interest: a complete solution and substantial savings with simultaneous data acquisition capability.

“This is an important acquisition for a wide section of our clients. The availability of this sensor in the UK means that Bluesky’s new and existing customers will now benefit from having the very latest aerial technology at their disposal,” commented Rachel Tidmarsh, Managing Director of Leicestershire-based Bluesky International. “We undertook a rigorous review of all systems currently available before selecting this state-of-the-art system from Optech, which we believe will allow us to fulfil some of the more technically demanding data acquisition projects required by our customers.”

“We are extremely pleased that Bluesky has chosen Optech sensors to provide the high-quality data they need to create superior map products,” said Max Elbaz, President, Optech, Inc. “Their existing client-base is a testimonial to the quality of their work. We very much look forward to supporting Bluesky in their mapping efforts.”

About Bluesky International

Bluesky is a UK-based specialist in aerial imaging and remote sensing data collection and processing. An internationally recognised leader with projects extending around the globe, Bluesky is proud to work with prestigious organisations such as Google, the BBC and Government Agencies. Bluesky has unrivalled expertise in the creation of seamless, digital aerial photography, 3D landscape/cityscape visualisations and prints and also runs a national mapping centre, providing digital mapping, satellite imagery and aerial photography including ultra-high resolution imagery of cities and towns.

About Optech

Optech is the world leader in the development, manufacture and support of advanced lidar and camera survey instruments. With operations and staff worldwide, Optech offers both standalone and fully integrated lidar and camera solutions in airborne mapping, airborne lidar bathymetry, mobile mapping, terrestrial laser scanning, mine cavity monitoring, and industrial process control, as well as space-proven sensors.

For further information, please contact your local Sales Manager or:

Wayne Szameitat
International Sales Manager

Optech Incorporated
300 Interchange Way
Vaughan, Ontario, Canada L4K 5Z8

+1 905 660 0808
Email Contact

Rachel Tidmarsh
Managing Director

Bluesky International Limited
The Old Toy Factory, Jackson Street
Coalville, Leicestershire LE67 3NR UK

01530 518518
Email Contact