Mining Technology Excellence Awards 2025: Emesent

Emesent, a global leader in drone autonomy, LiDAR mapping, and data analytics, has won three awards in the 2025 Mining Technology Excellence Awards for demonstrating significant impact in autonomous mapping, remote hazard mitigation, and integrated marketing in the Mining industry. The company won the awards for its mobile LiDAR scanning system, Hovermap, that can be deployed on drones, vehicles, robots, or carried by hand to capture high-precision 3D data in challenging and inaccessible environments.

Emesent won the Innovation award for its advancements in autonomous mapping technology, enabling precise data capture in challenging environments. The company received the Safety award for its remote hazard mitigation solutions, which have significantly reduced personnel exposure to dangerous conditions. Additionally, the company’s creative and far-reaching Golden Hovermap campaign earned it the Marketing award for exceptional industry engagement and brand visibility.

Autonomous mapping innovation: High-precision mapping in demanding environments

Hovermap’s AI-driven Simultaneous Localization and Mapping (SLAM) algorithms allow it to create accurate 3D maps in places where GPS doesn’t work—a frequent challenge in underground mines. What makes Hovermap stand out is its versatility. Teams can mount the scanner on drones, vehicles, or robots, or simply carry it by hand or in a backpack. This adaptability has proven invaluable in the field. For example, at a mine in Canada, Hovermap has been deployed via backpack and vehicle to scan up to a restricted zone, then switched to drone to survey inaccessible areas beyond the barricade. The detailed 3D data helped generate a complete site map and allow engineers to make timely decisions about safety and production. In that situation, traditional survey tools such as terrestrial LiDAR or cavity monitoring systems couldn’t do the job due to the time to set up, distance, lack of line-of-sight, and the absence of GPS or communications.

Hovermap’s workflow is largely automated, from executing the mission to processing and georeferencing the data. Operators can review point cloud data right after a scan, which speeds up decision-making and cuts down on manual errors. Independent tests have shown Hovermap can achieve global accuracy of 10-15mm without ground control points, and under 10mm with them. These results are typically better than those from other SLAM-based laser scanning systems, which can report accuracy up to 35mm. Notably, Hovermap’s accuracy holds up even when scans are done quickly or with minimal loop closure. The system’s reliability comes from years of research, including work by the CSIRO Robotics Group, and ongoing improvements based on real-world use. Hovermap has been put to work in a range of settings, from tunnels and stopes to large infrastructure projects, and has become a trusted tool for surveyors and engineers who need dependable data in tough conditions.

Remote hazard mitigation: Improving mine safety with autonomous data capture

The Hovermap system has changed how mines approach hazardous environments. By enabling remote and autonomous data capture, it has sharply reduced the need for people to enter dangerous, confined, or unstable areas. In fact, mines using Hovermap have reported a 40% drop in personnel exposure during data collection, which directly lowers the risk of accidents and injuries.

The safety benefits show up in many mining tasks. For example, when mapping stopes or monitoring ground convergence, Hovermap can be sent in on a drone, keeping surveyors away from unsupported ground or unstable rock. The system’s autonomy, powered by Emesent’s Cortex software, lets it navigate beyond visual line of sight and communications range, adjusting to obstacles and changing conditions underground. This helps where visibility is poor and the environment is completely out of reach.

Hovermap also supports more frequent and reliable monitoring of geotechnical hazards like rock movement and structural changes. Its high-resolution data helps teams spot problems early and stay compliant with safety standards. The system is designed to be user-friendly, so crews don’t need extensive training to use it safely. Emesent manufactures Hovermap in an ISO 9001-certified facility and offers global training through the Emesent Academy. Beyond mining, Hovermap has also been used in public safety and infrastructure inspections, including sewer pipe surveys and search-and-rescue operations, further reducing the need for people to enter risky environments.

Integrated marketing campaign: Industry engagement through the Golden Hovermap initiative

Emesent’s Golden Hovermap campaign combined digital outreach, influencer partnerships, and event activations, reaching more than 1.2 million people and generating over 312,000 video views. At the heart of the campaign was the Golden Hovermap ST-X, offered as a prize in a global lucky draw. This contest drew 827 qualified entries and influenced more than 3,100 contacts.

The campaign’s success came from its multi-channel approach. Emesent promoted the Golden Hovermap through targeted emails, social media, and in-person events at major industry gatherings like MinEXPO, The Mining Show and Geo Week. The Golden Hovermap display attracted attention at these events, sparking conversations and building excitement. Emesent also worked with its global partner network, providing localized materials so partners in over 40 countries could help spread the word.

The campaign’s launch post had a 10% engagement rate, far above the industry average. The initiative not only boosted brand awareness, but also generated high-quality leads and expanded Emesent’s reach in the mining and surveying community. By blending digital and face-to-face engagement and empowering partners to tailor the campaign for their regions, Emesent set a new standard for marketing in the mining technology sector.

Company Profile

Emesent’s AI-powered autonomous mapping helps capture and create insights from within challenging and GPS-denied environments, keeping people safe, while delivering the data required to make timely business-critical decisions.

A key value of Emesent technology is building accurate 3D visualizations quickly. In recent mining incidents, Emesent Hovermap has allowed fast assessment of changed conditions in completely off-limit areas, helping to identify the status of workers trapped underground.

Proven in the field at some of the world’s most inaccessible and dangerous locations, Emesent Hovermap combines Simultaneous Localization and Mapping (SLAM) technology, advanced collision avoidance and autonomous exploration to map complex environments requiring minimal human involvement.

Hovermap is uniquely versatile: as well as being integrated with leading robot and drone platforms, Hovermap quickly attaches to a vehicle such as an LHD, and can be swapped to a backpack. Hovermap also supports multiple handheld deployment options.

Data can be monitored in real time as it is streamed from Hovermap to a tablet. For further analysis, Hovermap data can be rapidly extracted, then processed and visualized via Emesent’s Aura software. Powerful automation, intelligent filtering, and advanced point cloud enhancement tools deliver precise, high-quality results with speed and ease.

While the mining industry has embraced Emesent’s technology for over 7 years, Hovermap is now being deployed across other use cases worldwide, including aboveground surveying, forestry, construction, asset monitoring, defense and public safety.

Visit the Emesent website for detailed product, solution, and use-case information.

Or follow Emesent on LinkedIn for regular Hovermap news and highlights.

To speak to someone about your needs for rapid, accurate, mobile mapping or to book a demo, visit: https://emesent.com/book-a-demo/

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