Mapping and remote sensing

Modern mapping and remote sensing integrates themes from navigation, geodesy, photogrammetry, computer vision, machine learning and system control. This field is truly interdisciplinary both in the conception and operation of mobile mapping platforms, as well as in the calibration of their sensors and data processing. We study and develop new concepts of sensor calibration, quality control and data adjustment which are tested on platforms developed especially for this purpose. Together with the platforms we study and develop bespoke 3D reconstruction, digitalisation and analysis algorithms.


Our most resent interests are related to the area of fusion of novel LIDAR (Single-photon avalanche diode – SPAD) and RGB camera sensors for 3D digitalisation and mapping. We study the optimal fusion of classical 3D reconstruction algorithms such as photogrammetry with most resent developments in Machine Learning vision and data processing algorithms.

Particular focus is given to the following areas:

  • Calibration and integration of active and passive optical sensors
  • Sensor synchronisation and data acquisition
  • Development of 3D reconstruction algorithms
  • Composition of light-weight mapping systems and platforms (e.g.

Airborne sensor fusion: Expected accuracy and behavior of a concurrent adjustment

K. Mouzakidou; A. A. Brun; D. A. Cucci; J. Skaloud 

ISPRS Open Journal of Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing. 2024. Vol. 12, num. April, p. 100057. DOI : 10.1016/j.ophoto.2023.100057.

Methods of trajectory estimation in challenging mapping scenarios

A. A. Brun 

IUGG General Assembly of the International Union of Geodesy and Geophysics, Berlin, Germany, July 11-20, 2023.

Model-based constraints for trajectory determination of quad-copters: Design, calibration & merits for direct orientation

K. Joseph Paul; D. A. Cucci; J. Skaloud 

ISPRS Open Journal of Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing. 2023. Vol. 7, num. January, p. 100030. DOI : 10.1016/j.ophoto.2023.100030.

On the benefit of concurrent adjustment of active and passive optical sensors with GNSS & raw inertial data

K. Mouzakidou; D. A. Cucci; J. Skaloud 

ISPRS Annals of the Photogrammetry, Remote Sensing and Spatial Information Sciences. 2022. Vol. V-1-2022, p. 161 – 168. DOI : 10.5194/isprs-annals-V-1-2022-161-2022.

Lidar point-to-point correspondences for rigorous registration of kinematic scanning in dynamic networks

A. Brun; D. A. Cucci; J. Skaloud 

ISPRS Journal of Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing. 2022. Vol. 189, p. 185 – 200. DOI : 10.1016/j.isprsjprs.2022.04.027.

Airborne and mobile LiDAR, which sensors for which application?

J. Vallet; A. Gressing; P. Clausen; J. Skaloud 

2020. XXIVth ISPRS Congress, Online, August 6, 2020. p. 397 – 405. DOI : 10.5194/isprs-archives-XLIII-B1-2020-397-2020.

Mapping quality prediction for RTK/PPK-equipped micro-drones operating in complex natural environment

E. ClĂ©dat; L. V. jospin; D. A. Cucci; J. Skaloud 

ISPRS Journal of Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing. 2020. Vol. 167, p. 24 – 38. DOI : 10.1016/j.isprsjprs.2020.05.015.

Fusion of Photo with Airborne Laser Scanning

E. ClĂ©dat; J. Skaloud 

2020. XXIV ISPRS Congress (2020 edition), [Virtual event], August 31 – September 2, 2020. p. 173 – 180. DOI : 10.5194/isprs-annals-V-1-2020-173-2020.

Camera Calibration Models and Methods for Corridor Mapping with UAVs

E. ClĂ©dat; D. A. Cucci; J. Skaloud 

2020. International Society for Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing, Virtual, Septembre 1-2, 2020. p. 231 – 238. DOI : 10.5194/isprs-annals-V-1-2020-231-2020.

Traduire les données en images

D. Rodighiero 

JournĂ©e d’Ă©tude : Imagination, imaginaire et images des (big) data, UniversitĂ© de Lille, France, 2019-01-24.

Bundle adjustment with raw inertial observations

D. A. Cucci; M. Rehak; J. Skaloud 

ISPRS Journal of Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing. 2017. Vol. 130, p. 1 – 12. DOI : 10.1016/j.isprsjprs.2017.05.008.

Mapping GNSS Restricted Environment with a Drone Tandem and Indirect Position Control

E. Cledat; D. A. Cucci 

2017. International Conference on Unmanned Aerial Vehicles in Geomatics, Bonn, Germany, September 4–7, 2017. p. 1 – 7. DOI : 10.5194/isprs-annals-IV-2-W3-1-2017.

Mapping large organizations

D. Rodighiero 

IMD Business School, Lausanne, Switzerland, December 13, 2017.

Time synchronization of consumer cameras on Micro Aerial Vehicles

M. Rehak; J. Skaloud 

Isprs Journal of Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing. 2017. Vol. 123, num. 1, p. 114 – 123. DOI : 10.1016/j.isprsjprs.2016.11.009.

Performance assessment of integrated sensor orientation with a low-cost GNSS receiver

M. Rehak; J. Skaloud 

ISPRS Annals of the Photogrammetry, Remote Sensing and Spatial Information Sciences. 2017. Vol. 4, num. 2W3, p. 75 – 80. DOI : 10.5194/isprs-annals-IV-2-W3-75-2017.

UAV Sensor Orientation with Pre-calibrated Redundant IMU/GNSS Observations: Preliminary Results

P. Clausen; M. Rehak; J. Skaloud 

2016. 36te DreilĂ€ndertagung Photogrammetrie and Fernerkundung der SGPF, DGPF und OVG, Bern, Switzerland, June 7-9, 2016. p. 26 – 33.

UAV Sensor Orientation with Pre-calibrated Redundant IMU/GNSS Observations: Preliminary Results

P. Clausen; J. Skaloud 

36te DreilÀndertagung Photogrammetrie and Fernerkundung der SGPF, DGPF und OVG, Bern, June 7-9, 2016.

Accurate Optical Target Pose Determination For Applications In Aerial Photogrammetry

D. A. Cucci 

ISPRS Annals of Photogrammetry, Remote Sensing and Spatial Information Sciences. 2016. Vol. 3, p. 257 – 262. DOI : 10.5194/isprs-annals-III-3-257-2016.

Drohne fĂŒr ein hoch genaues Korridor-Mapping

P. Clausen; M. Rehak; J. Skaloud 

AHORN 2015 – der Alpenraum und seine Herausforderungen im Bereich Orientierung, Navigation und Informationsaustausch, Wildhaus, November 26-27,2015.

Fixed-wing Micro Aerial Vehicle for Accurate Corridor Mapping

M. Rehak; J. Skaloud 

2015. UAV-g, Toronto, Canada, August 30-September 2, 2015. p. 23 – 31. DOI : 10.5194/isprsannals-II-1-W1-23-2015.