Lava tube structures on Mauritius are quite hard to survey – tight, dark, and largely inaccessible to classical scanning equipment. As part of ongoing research by Dr. Kim Lea Holzmann (Chair of Animal Ecology and Tropical Biology, University of Würzburg), we’re excited to be collaborating on testing whether low-cost LiDAR-scanners, like the recent iPhone Pro models, can offer a fast, lightweight way to capture the 3D geometry of these cave systems.
Ahead of fieldwork, we ran test scans together with Dr. Julia Rieder to adapt our usual scanning technique to confined, low-light cave conditions. Early results are promising: despite its modest range, the iPhone’s LiDAR sensor captures coherent tunnel geometry – with a device that fits in your pocket.
We’re looking forward to supporting this project further and sharing more results soon!
