Hardware

Two scanners. One mission: see more, know more, act now.

Emesent builds mobile LiDAR hardware for the places other tools can't reach. Emesent GX1 and Emesent Hovermap share the same proprietary Emesent SLAM technology at their core — packaged into two purpose-built platforms, so you choose the right tool for you.

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GX1 Hovermap

Every Emesent scanner is built on the same foundation: ground-breaking accuracy, sub-centimeter precision, and Emesent's award-winning SLAM technology — which keeps you mapping accurately even when GPS drops out.

Emesent GX1

Simple, all-in-one solution for ground-based survey scanning — backpack, pole, vehicle, or handheld — for teams who need maximum accuracy, fast.

Emesent Hovermap

Autonomous & versatile remote mapping — drone, robot, vehicle, or backpack — built for GPS-denied and hazardous environments, in the air or on land.

Ground-based mobile scanning

Emesent GX1 — scan faster, without sacrificing accuracy

Purpose-built for surveyors who need mobile scanning speed with accuracy they can prove. Powered by Emesent SLAM, GX1 delivers 5–10mm global accuracy with integrated RTK georeferencing, 4×20MP cameras for full 360° imagery, and unlimited on-prem data processing — all in a single integrated, cable-free unit.

Best for: topographic & road surveys, construction progress tracking, scan-to-BIM, and tunnel/infrastructure surveys.

Backpack Survey pole Vehicle mount Supported handheld

5–10mm Global accuracy

300m LiDAR range

2TB Onboard storage

IP65 Rated

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Autonomous & versatile mapping

Emesent Hovermap — AI-powered autonomy for the hardest-to-reach places

Built for teams mapping GPS-denied, hazardous, or otherwise inaccessible environments, autonomously where needed, thanks to Emesent SLAM. Hovermap's quick-release design moves easily between drone, ground robot, vehicle, and handheld/backpack configurations, streaming a live point cloud back in real time.

Best for: underground mine mapping, stockpile & void surveys, beyond-line-of-sight drone inspection, and any unsafe or GPS-denied environment.

Drone (autonomous) Ground robot Vehicle Backpack / handheld Protective cage

±5–15mm Accuracy (by mode)

300m LiDAR range

512GB Onboard storage

IP65 Rated

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Which one do I need?

Compare Emesent GX1 & Emesent Hovermap

Not sure which fits your project? Use the summary below, or talk it through with our team.

	Emesent GX1	Emesent Hovermap
Primary environment	Ground-based sites — roads, buildings, tunnels	GPS-denied, hazardous, or hard-to-access — air or ground
Emesent SLAM	Fast, accurate operator-driven mobile mapping	Fully autonomous mapping capability, plus operator-driven
Accuracy	5–10mm global accuracy	Sub-centimeter to ±15mm, depending on mode/environment
Typical users	Survey & AEC teams	Mining, defense, public safety, geospatial teams
Deployment options	Backpack, pole, vehicle, handheld	Drone, robot, vehicle, backpack, handheld, cage
Autonomy	No	Yes

Still not sure? Book a demo and our team will help you choose.

Applications

Applications by industry

Both GX1 and Hovermap are deployed across Emesent's core verticals — the right hardware choice depends on the environment more than the industry itself.

AEC

GX1 for scan-to-BIM, topographic, and as-built surveys; Hovermap where drone-based inspection of hard-to-reach structures is needed.

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Mining

Hovermap for autonomous underground & open-pit mapping in GPS-denied conditions; GX1 for surface infrastructure and stockpile surveys.

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Defense & Public Safety

Hovermap for autonomous reconnaissance and mapping in denied or contested environments.

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Geospatial

Both platforms support rapid situational mapping — Hovermap for autonomy and beyond-line-of-sight, GX1 for fast, high-accuracy ground survey.

Explore Geospatial →

Can Emesent GX1 be mounted on a drone?

No, Emesent GX1 is optimized for ground-based mobile mapping.

For drone-based surveying, Hovermap STX provides the aerial capabilities and autonomous flight features required for UAV applications.

Why would I choose the Hovermap over a GX1 (or vice versa)?

The platform you select is dependent on your primary use case.

Hovermap STX excels in aerial and autonomous drone applications with cross-platform versatility, while Emesent GX1 is purpose-built for ground-based surveying requiring maximum accuracy (5-10mm).

Both use Emesent SLAM technology but are optimized for different survey workflows.

Is GX1 scan data processed any differently from that of the STX?

Both scanners capture highly accurate point cloud data which can be processed and visualized in Emesent Aura.

Is the backpack interchangeable between Hovermap and GX1?

No, the backpack for Emesent GX1 is part of its all-inclusive package, acting as a mount for the GX1, and doubling as a carry case.

Hovermap STX has its own compatible backpack, which can be paired with the RTK receiver add-on, if desired.

Integrated vs expandable - which design is better?

The scanner design that suits you best is going to depend on your use case, deliverables, and scanning environment.

Emesent GX1 has an all-in-one design, meaning the cameras, battery, and RTK receiver are all integrated into the unit.

Hovermap STX on the other hand, offers the flexibility to configure to your unique requirements. If imagery is a priority, consider adding our 360° Image Kit and/or Colorization extensions. For RTK, take your pick from our supported Emlid, Trimble, or Leica options.

Ready to find your fit?

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