Spherefix Sphere360 Handheld LiDAR Scanner with RTK SLAM

Fast 3D site capture with handheld LiDAR

The Sphere360 Handheld LiDAR Scanner is designed for professionals who need to capture buildings, infrastructure, terrain and assets more efficiently than is practical with repeated static scanner setups. The operator can walk through the survey area while the system continuously records laser, positioning and movement data to create a connected 3D point cloud.

Its compact 1 kg design makes it suitable for construction sites, stairways, plant rooms, tunnels, car parks, forest plots and other locations where carrying larger survey equipment can be inconvenient. The integrated controller, storage, positioning sensors and removable handle battery form a self-contained field system that can be deployed quickly.

SLAM mapping indoors and in GNSS-denied locations

Standard GNSS equipment requires a usable satellite signal, which can be difficult inside buildings, below ground, beneath structures or near tall obstructions. Sphere360 uses simultaneous localisation and mapping technology to calculate the scanner’s movement from the geometry around it while building the point cloud.

This allows teams to capture indoor rooms, corridors, staircases, underground areas and covered structures without relying continuously on GNSS. Smooth walking and sufficient overlap between scanned areas help the SLAM system maintain a reliable trajectory, particularly around corners and through areas with repetitive geometry.

RTK-SLAM and PPK-SLAM for georeferenced outdoor surveys

For outdoor mapping, RTK-SLAM and PPK-SLAM combine satellite positioning with LiDAR and inertial measurements. RTK-SLAM can support georeferenced data capture when real-time corrections are available, while PPK-SLAM allows positioning information to be refined after collection.

The integrated positioning system tracks GPS, GLONASS, Galileo and BeiDou signals. Under suitable survey conditions and with an appropriate workflow, the system is specified for relative point-cloud accuracy of up to 3 cm and absolute accuracy of up to 5 cm. Actual results depend on satellite visibility, correction quality, site geometry, scan technique and processing settings.

Wide coverage from the Livox Mid-360 sensor

The Livox Mid-360 records up to 200,000 points per second and provides a 360° horizontal field of view with approximately 59° of vertical coverage. Its specified measuring range reaches 40 m on surfaces with 10% reflectivity.

In practical fieldwork, this broad coverage helps the scanner record walls, floors, ceilings, façades, vegetation and surrounding structures during a single walkthrough. The non-repetitive scanning pattern gradually fills surface detail as the operator moves, supporting dense point clouds without requiring the instrument to remain fixed on a tripod.

Colourised point clouds for easier interpretation

Two synchronized ultra-wide-angle fisheye cameras capture image information alongside the laser measurements. This can be used to produce colourised point clouds and locally registered panoramic imagery, making objects and materials easier to recognise than in an uncoloured intensity-only dataset.

Colour data is useful for building documentation, digital twins, condition records, architectural modelling and visual communication with colleagues or clients. It can also help distinguish features that have similar geometry but different surface colours or finishes.

Designed for construction surveying and site documentation

Construction teams can use the Sphere360 to record existing conditions, document progress, capture complex interiors and create a spatial record before areas become inaccessible. Point clouds can support measurements, coordination, floor-plan production, volume calculations and comparisons between captured conditions and design information.

The handheld workflow is especially useful when a fast overall record is more important than collecting isolated points individually. It does not replace every total-station, GNSS receiver or high-end static scanning task, but it can significantly improve productivity for site capture, preliminary surveys and documentation work.

Applications across surveying GIS and inspection

Surveyors can use the system for mobile topographic and building surveys, while GIS teams can collect three-dimensional information for asset inventories and mapping projects. Infrastructure inspectors can document utility areas, power-line corridors, façades and hard-to-access structures. Forestry and environmental teams can capture terrain and vegetation in areas with low canopy cover, subject to local conditions and project requirements.

Other suitable workflows include underground mapping, parking-area surveys, heritage documentation, BIM data collection, industrial facility capture, stockpile measurement and digital-twin creation. Drone operators may also use terrestrial scans to complement aerial data by recording façades, covered areas and ground-level details that are difficult to see from above.

Field operation and live project monitoring

Scanning is controlled through a companion mobile application, with point-cloud information displayed during acquisition. This gives the operator immediate feedback on the scan trajectory and area coverage, helping identify missed sections before leaving the site.

Wi-Fi connectivity supports communication between the scanner and the mobile device. The system includes onboard flash storage and MicroSD storage for project data. A removable handle battery allows the power source to be exchanged during longer field sessions.

Point-cloud processing workflow

Sphere360 works with the PointFlow processing workflow for preparing and refining collected data. Available processing operations can include point-cloud optimisation, noise filtering, colour generation, image brightness adjustment, removal of moving objects and uniform point resampling.

Depending on the selected processing configuration, project data can be prepared in formats such as LAS or TXT for use in compatible point-cloud, CAD, GIS, BIM and modelling software. Buyers should confirm the required output formats and software workflow for their intended application before deployment.

Built for demanding working environments

The scanner has a specified operating range of -20°C to 55°C and a power consumption below 25 W. Its integrated design reduces the number of separate components that need to be carried around a project, while the compact dimensions make it easier to use in narrow rooms, stairs and other restricted spaces.

As with any SLAM scanner, good operating technique affects the final result. Operators should move smoothly, turn gradually, maintain suitable distance from surfaces and create loop closures where practical. Survey control or independent check measurements should be used whenever the project requires verified absolute accuracy.

Choosing and supporting your Sphere360 workflow

Global GPS Systems can help buyers assess whether the Sphere360 fits their required accuracy, working environment, coordinate system and deliverable formats. This is particularly important when integrating handheld LiDAR with existing GNSS, CAD, GIS, BIM or drone-survey workflows.

Before ordering, consider whether the work is mainly indoor or outdoor, whether absolute georeferencing is required, which correction service or base station will be used, and how the resulting point clouds must be processed. Matching these requirements to the correct field and software configuration helps create a dependable workflow from data capture through to the finished deliverable.