YellowScan Navigator LiDAR assessed for SeaDeep sea farms

SeaDeep runs from 2026 to 2029 and brings together 30 partners from 11 countries, among them research institutes, technology developers, aquaculture companies, fisheries stakeholders and industry networks. The Swedish Environmental Research Institute (IVL) coordinates the project, which aims to develop, test and demonstrate solutions in real production environments. The European Union co-funds it, and the consortium met for its inaugural meeting on Sept. 10, 2026.

Together with VisionAir Production AB, YellowScan is studying how the Navigator can help supervise sea farms and algae production facilities. The sensor maps coastal environments above and below the water surface simultaneously, producing detailed 3D digital twins that show farm infrastructure, seabed conditions and environmental change.

Navigator combines a green laser with a scanner developed in-house by YellowScan. Its 40° field of view is the maximum angle at which a green laser performs effectively underwater. Maximum depth is rated at 2 Secchi, a unit tied to water clarity: if 1 Secchi equals 2.2 m, a 2 Secchi system measures to roughly 4.4 m. The system operates at up to 100 m above ground level (AGL), weighs 3.7 kg without battery and has a typical endurance of 45 minutes. A built-in global shutter camera supplies colorization, and CloudStation software handles water classification, surface detection and underwater point correction for refraction.

Why it matters

YellowScan builds LiDAR payloads for UAVs, and its Mapper line has anchored the range since the company’s start in 2014. The range also includes the Mapper+ and the Voyager, which operates up to 440 m AGL. The Navigator targets river and lake analysis, coastal oceanography, hydraulic structures and dredging.

Navigator is intended for multirotor and helicopter UAVs and mounts through a Gremsy quick-release attachment. With battery, it exceeds the 2.7 kg recommended payload of the DJI M300 and M350. As a Class 3B laser product, it has a nominal ocular hazard distance of 25 m: operators bring the drone quickly to 30 m AGL and keep everyone at least 25 m from the drone or LiDAR while the laser is active.