Heerbrugg, Switzerland

Swedish Burkhard Boeckem, Chief Technology Officer at Hexagon AB and Swiss designer Matthias Wieser, Vice President of Product Design at Leica Geosystems designed the new Leica BLK2GO digital environment scanner—a handheld piece of technology for users who are seeking out a way to capture immersive, 360-degree renderings of an area.

This wireless handheld imaging laser scanner nearly captures its surrounding environment, including the structures and objects in it, as the user walks around holding the device.

It captures images and dimensionally accurate point clouds in real-time and uses SLAM technology to record your trajectory through space.

Scan as you go with no interruptions. Digital reality capture of the space around you happens in real time as you move through it.

Scan over and under objects, through rooms and doorways, around corners, and up and down stairwells. Using SLAM spatial awareness technology, BLK2GO knows where it is and where it has been in space.

Like a torch for visualizing three-dimensional reality, the BLK2GO automatically builds 3D point clouds while in motion. From the moment you begin a scan session until the moment you turn off the BLK2GO, all imagery and 3D data are combined.

The BLK2GO’s vision system is a 12-megapixel detail camera for brilliant high-contrast imagery plus three panoramic cameras for visual navigation via SLAM, point cloud colorization, and capture of panoramic imagery.

The GRANDSLAM (Simultaneous Localization and Mapping) is a combination of high-speed dual-axis LiDAR, a multicamera vision system, and an inertial measurement unit that makes the BLK2GO self-navigating.

Weighing in 775 grams (1.7 lbs.) with battery, the BLK2GO’s matte-finish aluminum construction allows for excellent dexterity and freedom of movement.

The BLK2GO’s handle contains WLAN connectivity, a rechargeable battery capable of 45 minutes of continuous scanning, data storage for six hours of scans, a USB-C port for fast data transfer, and edge computing.

The multicolored light guide that encircles the BLK2GO is simple, intuitive, and communicative to users of all skill levels. It provides user guidance while scanning and communicates the device status and data quality.

No tripod. Onboard data collection. Continuous scanning on rechargeable battery power.

The captured data can be easily exported for registration and processing.

This device is ideal for anyone who needs to accurately scan a space or object, especially hard to reach places, or needs more speed when scanning than traditional terrestrial scanners offer.

The primary target audience for the product are architecture, engineering, and construction professionals; media and entertainment pros responsible for scouting locations and creating immersive virtual reality experiences; and professionals who work in the preservation of historic architecture and archaeology.

The device features a user-friendly design that can be held easily in the hand as its brought through a space to capture a digital rendering of the various elements.

This will work very well for travelers looking for a better way to share their experience or even for real estate agents to give prospective buyers or renters an idea of what a space actually feels like without stepping foot into the building.

Designers: Hexagon AB and Leica Geosystems AG
Manufacturer: Hexagon AB and Leica Geosystems AG