Plane to scan Berlin with lasers for digital map

As part of an ongoing project to create a “digital twin” of Germany, a plane will fly over Berlin this week and scan the capital with lasers to collect geographical information.

Laser plane to digitally map Berlin

A plane will fly over Berlin this week, using lasers to scan the city to make a detailed, 3D digital map. The flights will happen at night, with the plane taking off from Schönhagen in Teltow-Fläming to fly across the city every evening for at least seven nights.

The small Cessna plane will fly at a low altitude of between 800 and 1.500 metres above ground level, meaning residents sleeping with the windows open risk being woken up by noise overhead. The plane's lasers project pulsed light, which reflects on objects below and is captured by the aircraft.

However, as the lasers require clear skies to capture the most accurate readings of roads, trees, buildings and bodies of water below, inclement weather may result in changes to the flight plan. 

BKG creating “digital twin” map of Germany

The mission to scan Berlin is part of a greater, ongoing project by the Federal Agency for Cartography and Geodesy (BKG). Since 2024, the BKG has been gradually scanning Germany, collecting extensive geographical information to create a “digital twin” of the country.

The digital twin will be used by Germany’s traffic, climate and security authorities to simulate various scenarios. For example, to simulate heavy rainfall and identify areas particularly at risk of flooding.

“Almost three-quarters of the measurement flights required for this have been completed,” BKG president Paul Becker told the dpa. “With a little luck and good flying weather, this part of the digital twin can be completed by the end of the year”.