Chinese engineers make sci-fi drone mapping reality

陈小将

The Center for Spatiotemporal AI Perception Technology at Tianfu Jiangxi Laboratory in Chengdu, Sichuan province, recently launched Dimension 1, a drone that performs asset digitization scanning tasks in indoor environments. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

A scene from the science fiction film Prometheus, where explorers deploy a mini-drone that laser-scans caves to generate 3D models instantly, has turned into reality, thanks to the efforts of Chinese engineers.

On Tuesday, the Spatiotemporal AI Perception Technology Innovation Center at the Tianfu Jiangxi Laboratory in Chengdu, Sichuan province, announced that it has launched Dimension 1, the world's first ultra-compact portable mapping drone. It is designed to perform asset digitization scanning tasks in indoor environments.