How Ouster LiDAR Powers The Flyability Elios 3

Sending people into tanks, tunnels and mine shafts is slow, costly and risky. The Flyability Elios 3 was built to go there instead, and LiDAR from Ouster is a big part of what makes that possible.

A long-standing partnership

On 9th September 2026, Flyability and Ouster announced they would showcase their LiDAR partnership at INTERGEO 2026 in Munich. The two companies have worked together for more than five years. Ouster's OS0 LiDAR sensor sits at the heart of the Elios 3, Flyability's collision-tolerant drone for inspecting indoor and confined spaces.

What the Flyability Elios 3 LiDAR actually does

LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) uses laser pulses to measure distances and build a detailed 3D picture of the surroundings. On the Elios 3, the Ouster sensor does far more than capture data:

• It powers SLAM (Simultaneous Localisation and Mapping), so the drone knows where it is and maps the space as it flies
• It keeps the drone stable and positioned in GPS-denied environments
• It supports collision avoidance and spatial awareness in tight, complex spaces
• It produces high-density 3D measurements of the asset being inspected

In other words, the same sensor that helps the Elios 3 fly safely also creates the 3D model.

Inspection and mapping in a single flight

One of the biggest benefits is efficiency. The Elios 3 can carry out a visual inspection and capture a measurable 3D map in a single pass. Instead of separate visits for inspection and survey, teams get both at once. That means less time on site and less disruption to operations.

Most importantly, it keeps people out of hazardous spaces. Rather than sending inspectors into confined spaces, often with scaffolding, rope access and permits, the drone goes in first.

Where it's used

The Elios 3 and Ouster LiDAR combination is used across:

• Mining, including shafts and underground workings
• Energy and chemicals, including tanks, boilers and pressure vessels
• Water, including wastewater tunnels and sewers
• Maritime, including ship holds and ballast tanks
• Infrastructure and public safety

Coptrz supplies the Flyability Elios 3 and its Surveying Payload in the UK, along with model-specific online training to help pilots get confident flying in confined spaces.

FAQs

What LiDAR does the Flyability Elios 3 use?

The Elios 3 uses Ouster's OS0 LiDAR sensor for SLAM, 3D mapping and flight stability.

Can the Elios 3 fly without GPS?

Yes. Its LiDAR-based SLAM lets it position itself and fly in GPS-denied spaces such as tanks, tunnels and mines.

Can the Elios 3 inspect and map at the same time?

Yes. It captures visual inspection data and a 3D map in a single flight.

Final thoughts

Ready to take inspections into confined spaces? Explore the Flyability Elios 3 at Coptrz.