Its products employ a variety of technologies including GPS satellite navigation and laser rangefinders to enable users to model existing structures, terrains in computer based systems to high accuracies, often under 1 cm.

[3] Heinrich Wild (1877–1951) of Glarus, Switzerland, a leading designer of geodetic and astronomical instruments, began his career as an apprentice surveyor.

[5] In the early 1930s, having recognized that he was not cut out to be a factory manager, Wild moved to Zürich, severed his connections with the firm in Heerbrugg, and designed instruments for Kern & Co in Aarau.

Leica Geosystems produces, in continuation of Wild Heerbrugg, the geodetic instruments and is the global market leader in this section.

In 2000 Leica Geosystems purchased Cyra Technologies, maker of the Cyrax laser 3D scanner line.