Hexagon launches next-gen Leica BLK360 laser scanner

Hexagon claims that the new BLK360 “dramatically advances reality capture by delivering two of the most sought-after necessities: speed and efficiency”. The company claims the new scanner can produce “photorealistic, accurate digital twins within just 20 seconds” – more than five times faster than its predecessor.

The new BLK360 features four 13-megapixel cameras and five-bracket HDR imaging. The enclosed LiDAR sensor allows the BLK 360 to capture point clouds at a rate of 680,000 points per second. Leica Geosystems’ Visual Inertial System is also now built into the BLK360, allowing scans to be combined automatically.

The BLK360’s data can be automatically uploaded to HxDR, Hexagon’s cloud-based reality capture platform. Meanwhile, the USB-C port transfers data nine times faster than its predecessor. The device is also 20% smaller than its predecessor.

“We continue to bring speed and agility to reality capture to accelerate the world’s sustainable transformation with Smart Digital Realities that free industry to do its best work. When you have an up-to-date, 1:1 digital twin of reality fused with infinite, real-time data from the physical and digital worlds, you gain ubiquitous access to invaluable insight. This can not only save time, but also eliminate human error to improve safety and reduce waste,” said Hexagon president and CEO Ola Rollén.

“If reality capture can continue to keep up, or even outpace, the needs of modern industry while also improving sustainability, everyone wins. The new BLK360 is a vital tool for democratising reality capture in so many different applications – from public planning, architecture, construction and environmental applications to the advancement of media and entertainment by supporting the creation of mind-bending visual effects. The possibilities are endless.”

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