This paper presents the comparative evaluation of multiple compact and lightweight 2D laser scanners for their possible backpack based scanning and mapping applications. These scanners include Hokuyo URG-04LX, Slamtec RPLidar A1-M8 and Hokuyo UTM-30LX-EW scanners. Since the technical datasheets provide general information and limited working details, this research presents a thorough study on the performance of each scanner related explicitly to indoor mapping operations. A series of scanning experiments have been performed for the characterization of each scanner using statistical analysis. During the testing, all the scanning data has been recorded using Robot Operating System (ROS) and then computed in offline processing. In initial tests, each scanner’s drift effect on range measurements has been tested and presented in the relevant section of the paper. In continuation, the effect of various scanning distances on measurement accuracy has been evaluated and discussed. Later the impact of various materials typically found in indoor vicinities and their respective properties of color and smoothness have been tested and provided in the paper. Finally, a Kalman Filtering based mathematical formulation has been utilized to calibrate each scanner and to reduce the measuring uncertainties as observed in various tests for each scanner.

This paper presents a method for developing a 3D point cloud map of any indoor and outdoor vicinities using an indigenously developed stationary scanning system comprising of a single low cost 2D laser scanner. The data logging of scanner and required inertial measurement units (IMUs) has been carried out using a Robot Operating System (ROS). Multiple divergent environments have been scanned and 3D point clouds have been developed, which have been found accurate when compared to the ground truth. In addition, the Building Information Model (BIM) of the surveyed vicinities have been developed using generated point clouds. Compared to available surveying solutions present in the local market, the developed system has been found accurate, faster, economical, and user-friendly to generate structural results of the surveyed vicinities in detail.

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