Teledyne FLIR Adds Hovermap LiDAR to Robotic Payload Lineup for GPS-Denied Missions
Teledyne FLIR Defense has certified Emesent’s Hovermap LiDAR payload for GPS-denied robotic operations. The addition to its Third-Party Payload Integration Program, announced at Modern Day Marine 2026, allows Hovermap to operate across Teledyne FLIR unmanned aircraft, ground robots and radiation detection platforms.
The integration targets missions where GPS is unavailable or unreliable, including tunnels, dense urban areas and hazardous CBRN environments involving chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear risks. Hovermap uses LiDAR-based Simultaneous Localization and Mapping to produce accurate 3D maps without GPS, giving operators a real-time view of complex spaces without relying on external positioning infrastructure.
The payload is now compatible with SkyRanger R70 and R80D SkyRaider drones for aerial mapping in GPS-denied conditions, and with the SUGV 325 ground robot for continuous 3D awareness in enclosed or obstructed spaces. When paired with the MUVE R430 radiation detection payload on the SUGV platform, Hovermap lets operators visualize radiation levels inside a mapped environment, combining spatial data and hazard data in one operational picture.
Certified third-party payloads are tested for mechanical fit, electrical integration, software compatibility and flight performance before deployment across existing systems. Teledyne FLIR said the work reflects a broader move toward open-architecture platforms that merge multiple sensing technologies, while both companies plan further development in autonomous navigation and expanded sensor fusion across additional CBRN detection tools.
The integrated systems are being displayed at Teledyne FLIR Defense booth 1724 at Modern Day Marine 2026, held April 28-30 at Marine Corps Base Quantico. For public safety and defense users, the combined mapping and detection capability could reduce the need for separate tools in dangerous environments and keep personnel farther from hazards during initial assessment.