3D Geospatial Data Processing Group
3D Geospatial Data Processing (3DGeo) Research Group
We investigate and develop computational methods for the geographic analysis of 3D/4D point clouds. Our datasets are acquired by cutting-edge Earth observation technology (e.g. laser scanning/LiDAR, photogrammetry/SfM and SAR). We aim at increasing the understanding of geographic phenomena by observing and analyzing them in full 3D, in near real-time with high spatial and temporal resolution. Our methods can be applied to study physical processes (e.g. geomorphology), anthropogenic landscapes (e.g. emission reduction) and inherent human-environmental interactions (e.g. natural hazards, forestry and agriculture). Our research sites are spread all over the world: we perform in-situ 3D measurements, code in the lab and simulate Earth observation with our own open source software for virtual laser scanning.
Here, you can find our research projects, publications, videos, and open source code & data.
We love both programming and field work!
Latest News (RSS Feed)
With VirtuaLearn3D (Virtual Laser Scanning for Machine Learning Algorithms in Geographic 3D Point Cloud Analysis), a new project of the 3DGeo group has started. The focus of this project is to enable powerful machine learning algorithms for geographic point cloud analysis by advancing the concept of virtual laser scanning to overcome the lack of training […]
With her new project CharAct4D Dr. Katharina Anders has become part of the Eliteprogramme for Postdocs of the Baden-Württemberg Stiftung, which supports early career researchers to qualify for a professorship -check the related press release by Heidelberg University. Many congratulations, Katharina! Katharina’s research interests in the 3DGeo research group are method development for 3D/4D change analysis […]
A new dataset of UAV and terrestrial laser scanning point clouds of snow-on and snow-off conditions at a Black Forest site (Hundseck, 48.643°N, 8.228°E) was published open access: Winiwarter, L., Anders, K., Battuvshin, G., Menzel, L. & Höfle, B. (2023): UAV laser scanning and terrestrial laser scanning point clouds of snow-on and snow-off conditions of […]
An approach for automatic characterization of surface activities from large 4D point clouds is presented in a new paper by Daan Hulskemper et al. in collaboration between the 3DGeo research group and the departments of Geoscience and Remote Sensing and Coastal Engineering at TU Delft. Hulskemper, D., Anders, K., Antolínez, J. A. Á., Kuschnerus, M., […]
The commune Sandhausen (Baden-Württemberg) got its name from the inland dune, which is located in the area of the village. In 2021 and 2022, the 3DGeo group of Heidelberg University conducted UAV-based and ground-based surveys of three areas of the inland dune of Sandhausen to acquire 3D point clouds and orthophotos. The dataset is freely and […]
The software HELIOS++ simulates the laser scanning of a given virtual scene that can be composed of different spatial primitives and 3D meshes with distinct granularity. The high computational cost of this type of simulation software demands efficient computational solutions. Classical solutions based on GPU are not well suited when irregular geometries compose the scene […]
The fourth edition of the Innsbruck Summer School of Alpine Research took place in September 2022, finally back in the lovely mountain landscape of the Ötztal valley in Tyrol, Austria. Once again, 40 participants – young researchers from all over the world – gathered in Obergurgl to learn and exchange about new concepts and solutions […]
Morphologies of highly complex star dunes are the result of aeolian dynamics in past and present times. These dynamics reflect climatic conditions and associated forces like sediment availability and vegetation cover, as well as feedbacks with adjacent environments. However, an understanding of aeolian dynamics on star dune morphometries is still lacking sufficient detail, and their […]
While the impacts of global warming and current heat waves on glaciated areas have been in the focus of media reporting in recent weeks, also the dynamics of rock glaciers as part of the periglacial environment are strongly affected by changing climate. Rock glaciers are creep phenomena of mountain permafrost and an integral part of […]
New data description paper on our tree point cloud dataset was just published Today, our data description paper was published in the open access Journal Earth System Science Data: Weiser, H., Schäfer, J., Winiwarter, L., Krašovec, N., Fassnacht, F. E., and Höfle, B. (2022): Individual tree point clouds and tree measurements from multi-platform laser scanning […]
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