Recommendations for Vehicle RTK

1. Mounting Position

When mounting the Vehicle RTK Kit, consider the project requirements to ensure the collected data is useful.

We recommend mounting the kit on top of your vehicle to enable the Hovermap to cover a wider area and create a more even point density. However, the kit is designed to be mounted anywhere on the vehicle.

2. Questions to consider when assessing your project

1. What is the area of focus? Place the mount in an area of your vehicle where it gets the best visibility of the relevant features. For example, mount on the left or right of the vehicle to get a higher point density of a street curb.

2. What are the color requirements? If using our 360 color mount, putting the mount on the top of the car will maximize the FOV of the camera and create the most even colorization in the point cloud. If colorizing the road is crucial, consider positioning the mount rotated slightly towards the side of the road so that the camera is not blocked from viewing the road.

3. Are there obstructions on your vehicle? For vehicles with antennas, roof racks, or other mounted equipment, consider the impact of these obstructions on the Hovermap’s view of the environment, and adjust your setup accordingly.

4. Will your line of sight be blocked? Ensure the vehicle can be safely operated and you are not contravening local laws about vehicle-mounted equipment.

3. Driving Speed and Passes 

Depending on your project requirements, you may need to drive the site multiple times to achieve sufficient point density. If you are using a 360 Colorization Kit, higher point density will also improve the colorization quality.

The Vehicle RTK Mount will work successfully with multiple passes up to 60kph (37mph) but it is recommended to scan at 40kph (25mph) for best results. As your vehicle speed increases, the data collected by the Hovermap is sparser, and more passes are needed to achieve the same point density.