An often overlooked component to the success of Mobile LiDAR is actually one of the most recognizable elements - and seemingly far too obvious because it's built right into the name - "Mobile". Without a vehicle (car, truck, SUV, UTV, Boat, push-cart, etc.), Mobile LiDAR systems are giant, expensive paperweights.
Regular vehicle maintenance is critical, but even then, mechanical failures happen. An unfortunate (and costly) byproduct of continuously operating 4 Mobile LiDAR systems and criss-crossing the nation to capture tens-of-thousands of Mobile LiDAR data each year is the wear and tear on vehicle drive-trains. And to be more specific...TRANSMISSIONS!
Nothing brings a successful deployment to a screeching halt (literally sometimes), like a failing transmission. Unfortunately, we've had 2 of our systems experience transmission failures over the past 2 months. We take pride in developing/implementing SOPs for virtually every aspect of our collection operation, but it's a bitter pill to swallow when you realize that you readily know the procedure for emergency drive-train repairs.
