RIEGL | Expedition of Alcatraz

Exclusive Video Presentation: The captivating video, below takes viewers on a virtual journey through Alcatraz, revealing intricate details of the island and its structures captured through RIEGL LiDAR and in collaboration with other project participants.

Original Source - EARTH IMAGING JOURNAL

In a groundbreaking presentation at Geo Week 2025, Pete Kelsey of VCTO Labs showcased an extraordinary LiDAR expedition to Alcatraz, captured through the advanced technology of RIEGL, alongside other leading laser scanner manufacturers. The presentation, highlighted by an exclusive video, offered a detailed look at the historic landmark like never before.

The RIEGL team recently embarked on a project in collaboration with VCTO Labs to scan one of the most infamously historic landmarks in the U.S., Alcatraz Prison. Having been decommissioned over 60yrs ago, this former maximum-security penitentiary used to be home to characters such as Al “Scarface” Capone and George “Machine Gun” Kelly, to name a few. Located on Alcatraz Island 1.25 miles off of the coast of San Francisco, this landmark has become quite decayed and a shell of what it once was. Due to its historical presence and tourism potential, a proper 3D skeleton needed to be obtained to really understand the structural integrity of the site. This is where Pete Kelsey of VCTO Labs formed quite an ambitious project to bring together various names in the geospatial industry to get the most detailed blueprint possible of the prison grounds and buildings.

Key Highlights:

Brief History and Current Condition of Alcatraz: The presentation delved into the infamous prison’s storied past and its current state, providing a comprehensive overview of its significance.

Project Scope and Mission: Kelsey explained the ambitious goals behind the project, emphasizing the importance of preserving Alcatraz for future generations.

Preservation Goals and Future Tourism Potential: The data collected through this expedition is expected to play a crucial role in preservation efforts and enhance the island’s tourism potential.

Technologies Used: The presentation highlighted the use of RIEGL‘s VZ-600i and VZ-2000i terrestrial scanners, which were instrumental in capturing both the interior and exterior of Alcatraz, in parallel with several other notable laser scanner manufacturers.

Data Processing: Attendees were given insights into how various data sets were meticulously merged to create a comprehensive deliverable.

Fun Tales: Kelsey shared engaging anecdotes from the RIEGL team’s overnight stay at Alcatraz, adding a personal touch to the technical presentation.

Acknowledgements

A version of this story appears in the Earth Imaging Journal