Rapid Mapping: LiDAR Surveys in Affected Areas

Sixense specializes in Rapid Mapping solutions that deliver fast, accurate geospatial insights in the aftermath of disasters and natural hazards. Whether responding to landslides, floods, avalanches, or other emergency events, our teams mobilize quickly to provide the high‑resolution data needed for situational awareness, risk assessment, and early decision-making. Our Rapid Mapping services are designed to support emergency responders, public agencies, and infrastructure managers who need reliable information as events unfold.

These capabilities allow us to perform mapping surveys immediately after an incident or monitor potentially unstable areas in advance, helping communities reduce risk and minimize long‑term impacts.

Our Solutions

Emergency Mobilization

Our Rapid Mapping teams are trained for fast deployment in dynamic environments. As extreme weather events become more frequent, the ability to document and manage disasters efficiently has never been more critical.

Our emergency Rapid Mapping services include:

Ultra-fast mobilization capacity, ready within hours
Deployment in Switzerland and internationally
Very high‑resolution airborne surveys
Safe, non‑invasive data collection in hazardous or inaccessible terrain
Simultaneous acquisition of LiDAR, imagery, inspection data, NIR, and thermal sensors

With a modular acquisition system capable of vertical or oblique capture, we adapt our Rapid Mapping workflows to a variety of airborne and ground platforms.

High-Resolution Airborne Surveys

Our Rapid Mapping workflows rely on very high‑resolution airborne surveys that allow for safe, non‑invasive data collection in complex environments and areas that are difficult to access. Using simultaneous LiDAR and photographic acquisition with precise geo‑referencing, we ensure consistent accuracy even in challenging terrain.

Our modular acquisition system supports both vertical and oblique survey configurations, offering full flexibility across multiple aerial and ground platforms. This adaptability allows our Rapid Mapping teams to deliver reliable, high‑quality data for a wide range of emergency and monitoring needs.

Modeling

Our Rapid Mapping workflows produce high‑accuracy digital models and visualizations that support immediate and long‑term analysis.

Deliverables include:

High‑density point clouds
Ultra‑high‑resolution orthophotos
Digital terrain, surface, and canopy models before and after the event
Photorealistic 3D meshes
Risk mapping and hazard zone identification
Reports and detailed analyses developed in collaboration with relevant authorities

We also merge pre‑ and post‑event point clouds to enhance understanding of damage, mass movement, and structural change. This enables:

Full 3D interpretation of the event
Accurate impact assessments
Updated detailed plans of affected zones
Rapid detection of remaining risks using artificial intelligence

These modeling capabilities make Rapid Mapping an essential tool for disaster response and long‑term resilience planning.

Our Advantages

Our rapid mapping approach is built on innovation, speed, and safety:

Helicopter‑based data collection for non‑invasive surveys in unstable or steep terrain
Efficient airborne sensors that cover large areas in very short timeframes
Extensive experience mapping hazards and supporting risk management teams
Data and expertise that help organizations understand, prevent, and respond to disasters

Applications of Rapid Mapping

Storms

Damage inventory and geolocation
Support for first responders
Securing high‑risk zones
Facilitating insurance assessments

Landslides & Rockfalls

Monitoring and predictive model development
Decision-making support for mitigation
Mass movement calculation and tracking
Boulder fall trajectory and impact analysis

Coastal Erosion

High‑resolution monitoring of sensitive shorelines
Oblique LiDAR and photographic surveys of cliffs
Detailed evolution models
Volume calculations and erosion assessments

Flooding & Debris Flows

Hydraulic modeling
Damage and debris mapping
Quantification of sediment deposits and scour

Rapid Mapping