Easy and High-Accuracy with a Smartphone! Cloud-Based Drone Surveying Without the Need for High-Spec PCs

Table of Contents

• Challenges of Drone Surveying: It Used to Require High-Spec PCs

• What Is Cloud-Based Drone Surveying?

• Benefits of Using the Cloud

• Deliverables from Cloud-Based Drone Surveying

• Use Cases for Cloud-Based Drone Surveying

• Simple Surveying Using LRTK with a Smartphone

• FAQ

Challenges of Drone Surveying: It Used to Require High-Spec PCs

In recent years, the construction industry has turned its attention to 3D surveying with drones as part of *digital transformation (DX)*. The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism’s *i-Construction* initiative has also promoted the effective use of 3D survey data collected on site. However, generating high-precision 3D point cloud data from drone-captured photos traditionally required high-performance computers (high-spec PCs) and expensive specialized software. *Point cloud data* refers to a 3D model that represents the surface shape of an object as a collection of many coordinate points. The initial setup cost was a significant burden for companies, and even when drones were introduced, many ended up merely “viewing” the captured photos without progressing to 3D modeling.

Moreover, generating point clouds from more than 100 high-resolution photos requires lengthy processing, during which the PC is tied up. Operating photogrammetry (SfM) software requires specialist knowledge and experience, making it difficult to handle without skilled personnel in-house. Due to these high hurdles, many companies have had to give up on doing detailed terrain modeling and volume calculations in-house and outsource data processing to surveying firms.

Outsourcing can take several days for analysis to complete and incurs additional costs. Conversely, if a company can use cloud services, processing can be completed on the day of the drone flight, and results can be checked the same day. To meet this need, cloud-native drone surveying solutions that make high-spec PCs unnecessary have emerged.

What Is Cloud-Based Drone Surveying?

Cloud-based drone surveying refers to services or methods that complete the processing of drone-captured data in the cloud. Simply upload the aerial photos you captured on site to an online platform, and it will automatically generate deliverables such as 3D point cloud data and orthophotos. Such cloud services have begun to appear domestically as well, enabling advanced point cloud generation without purchasing dedicated high-spec PCs or software.

Usage is extremely simple. Access the cloud service site via a web browser and upload the photos taken by the drone. The cloud’s high-performance servers then automatically execute the photogrammetric analysis processing (analysis using Structure from Motion technology). The process matches common points appearing in multiple photos and calculates the 3D coordinates of each point based on triangulation principles. Because servers can process hundreds of photos in parallel, the workflow is efficient and, in some cases, can produce results faster than conventional PCs. When analysis is complete, deliverables such as 3D point clouds and orthomosaic images are output to the cloud, and users can view and download them via a browser.

Since heavy computation is handled by the cloud instead of your local PC, you can continue other tasks while processing runs. This frees you from the stress of long freezes and halted work. Also, because the cloud service optimizes the analysis workflow, complex settings are unnecessary. As long as basic conditions such as photo quality and shooting procedures are met, users without specialized knowledge can obtain high-quality 3D point clouds. In this way, cloud utilization has dramatically lowered the barrier to advanced data processing in drone surveying.

Benefits of Using the Cloud

Processing drone surveying data in the cloud offers many advantages compared to traditional methods. The main benefits are summarized below.

• Reduced initial costs: Because you don’t need to purchase high-performance PCs or expensive analysis software, capital expenditures can be drastically reduced. Previously, equipment investments could range from several hundred thousand to several million yen, but eliminating that burden makes adoption easier for small and medium-sized enterprises.

• Less load on local PCs: Since large photo datasets are processed in the cloud, you don’t have to worry about your PC freezing for long periods. You can continue other work in parallel, freeing you from productivity loss and stress caused by long processing waits.

• Fast processing and scalability: Cloud servers and parallel processing enable heavy analyses to complete in short times. Large numbers of photos or large-area projects are manageable. For example, analyses that might take a full day on a typical PC can sometimes finish in a few hours in the cloud. The cloud also offers flexibility such as processing multiple site datasets simultaneously for one company.

• Accessible from anywhere: Because the service is accessible via the internet, you can upload data and check results from the office, the field, or while on the go. For example, you can send photo data to the cloud immediately after shooting on site and have analysis proceed while traveling, so results may be ready by the time you return to the office.

• Easy data sharing: Generated point clouds and orthophotos are stored in secure cloud storage, making it simple to share or jointly view them with stakeholders inside and outside the company. Large datasets can be accumulated in the cloud, eliminating concerns about local disk space. Also, users can view 3D data directly in the browser without installing dedicated viewers on each PC.

• Always up-to-date technology: Because the service provider continuously updates analysis algorithms and features, users always benefit from the latest versions. Accuracy improvements and new features are added automatically with updates, so users don’t have to perform cumbersome software updates themselves.

• Comprehensive support: Domestic vendors offering cloud services can provide robust support and implementation assistance in Japanese, giving peace of mind. You can quickly consult about operation questions or troubleshooting, allowing even beginners to start using the service with confidence.

Deliverables from Cloud-Based Drone Surveying

Using cloud-based drone surveying services generates not only point cloud data but also a variety of deliverables useful for surveying and design. Typical outputs include:

• 3D point cloud data: Generates high-density, colorized 3D point clouds from numerous drone photos. Combining RTK-enabled drone positioning information and ground control point data yields high-precision point clouds with accurate absolute coordinates for each point. Generated point clouds can be exported in standard formats such as LAS for use in other CAD software or analysis tools.

• Orthomosaic images: Combines wide-area aerial photos into distortion-free nadir-view orthophotos. These coordinate-referenced overhead images can be used as survey drawings to overview current conditions.

• Digital Surface Models (DSM) and contour lines: Extracts surface elevation data from generated point clouds and automatically creates gridded DSMs and contour maps at specified intervals. These can be used directly as topographic maps.

• Various measurement functions: In the cloud point cloud viewer, you can measure distances between arbitrary points, the area of enclosed regions, and compute volume, elevation differences, and slopes. For example, earthwork volume can be automatically calculated by setting a reference plane on the point cloud. Without special CAD software, you can immediately read necessary dimensional information on the web.

• Cross-section creation: Cut cross-sections along arbitrary section lines from point cloud data and automatically convert them into CAD drawings. Generated cross-sections can be downloaded in DXF format and used for design comparisons or reporting.

• Overlay with design data: Overlay 3D point clouds with design models or 2D drawing data to visualize differences between as-built conditions and design plans. You can also output colored difference maps recommended by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism’s as-built management guidelines (draft), which help detect construction defects early. Color-coded deviation displays between design and actual conditions strongly support construction management and inspection tasks.

Use Cases for Cloud-Based Drone Surveying

Cloud-native drone surveying services are expected to be useful across various industries and tasks. The following fields, in particular, can reap significant benefits.

• Construction and civil engineering: Drone surveying can be used for as-built management and earthwork volume calculations on construction sites. For example, calculating fill and excavation volumes from point clouds captured during earthworks can streamline progress management and as-built reporting. As-built measurements that used to take days manually can be completed on the same day from capture to cloud processing with drones, enabling faster decision-making. This aligns with the Ministry’s *i-Construction* initiative and contributes to more advanced site management.

• Surveying firms and construction consultants: Ability to create 3D deliverables quickly and at low cost improves business efficiency and service competitiveness. Without high-cost workstations or software in-house, large surveying project data processing can be handed to the cloud, shortening lead times and reducing costs. Automated processing also stabilizes data quality, allowing less-experienced technicians to produce high-quality outputs.

• Municipalities and public agencies: For infrastructure inspections and disaster response, drone-captured current-condition data can be rapidly converted to 3D. Simply sending on-site images to the cloud can produce detailed terrain models and orthophotos within hours, quickly aiding damage assessment and facility management. For example, in a large-scale landslide, aerial drone footage can be processed in the cloud immediately, allowing detailed current-condition models to be shared the same day across departments for early countermeasure planning.

Simple Surveying Using LRTK with a Smartphone

In addition to cloud-based drone point cloud generation, simple 3D surveying methods using smartphones are also gaining attention for on-site convenience. Our offering, LRTK Phone, is a groundbreaking system that enables 3D surveying with centimeter-level accuracy (half-inch accuracy) using only a smartphone. By attaching a dedicated small antenna to a smartphone and combining high-precision GNSS positioning with the built-in LiDAR scanner and camera, a single person can easily acquire high-accuracy point cloud data. Launch the dedicated app, walk the site holding the smartphone, and 3D point cloud generation is completed on the spot.

For example, areas difficult to capture with drones—such as the undersides of bridges or ground under forest canopies—can be precisely scanned simply by walking with an LRTK Phone. Because the acquired ground point cloud data has absolute coordinates, it can be automatically aligned with drone-generated point clouds. Complementing aerial blind spots with smartphone data enables more complete current-condition understanding.

For routine quick measurements, you don’t even need to fly a drone; the smartphone alone can suffice. Being able to rapidly acquire 3D site data when needed greatly improves productivity at sites with frequent surveying tasks. By using cloud drone surveying services and the LRTK Phone appropriately, you can seamlessly handle everything from wide-area mapping to detailed measurements.

With the advent of cloud-native services and smartphone surveying technologies, drone-based 3D surveying is becoming ever more accessible. Why not adopt a new workflow that frees you from reliance on high-spec PCs and drives DX on site? You will be liberated from complex PC processing and can utilize site data quickly. Our LRTK platform robustly supports your surveying work transformation through these cutting-edge technologies. Cloud analysis technologies advance daily, and our LRTK platform plans further feature expansion. By adopting the latest technologies, we will continuously support your operational efficiency improvements.

FAQ

Q: What kind of users is this service suitable for? A: The service is suitable for a wide range of users who need to utilize 3D data from drone surveying: site engineers and civil surveying personnel at construction sites, construction consultants handling spatial data, and municipal staff responsible for infrastructure management. Small businesses without specialized departments can easily adopt it, so it is recommended for anyone who wants to use drones effectively. Individual drone operators and small companies can also use it as a low-cost way to achieve advanced 3D surveying.

Q: What deliverables can I get from this service? A: The service automatically generates a variety of outputs, including 3D point clouds (colorized), high-resolution orthophotos (overhead images), digital surface models (DSM) and contour maps, and cross-section drawings (DXF format). It provides the outputs needed for surveying and design, so acquired data can be used directly for various purposes.

Q: How long does processing take? A: Processing time varies depending on the number of photos and cloud server status. As a guideline, around 100 photos typically take about an hour, and large projects with about 500 photos may take several hours to half a day to generate point clouds. In most cases, you can obtain results within the same day, and cloud processing is often faster than performing analysis on a local PC alone.

Q: Do I need special equipment or software to use the service? A: All you need is a general-purpose computer (or tablet), an internet connection, and the aerial drone itself. The cloud service is accessible via a web browser, so no dedicated software installation is required. It works on any OS where a browser runs, whether Windows or Mac, and because all processing is performed on the server side, a high-spec PC is not necessary.

Q: Are there restrictions on which drones can be used? A: Photos captured by commercially available aerial drones can generally be processed regardless of model. However, camera resolution and shooting methods are important for generating high-quality point clouds. High-resolution, clear photos with sufficient overlap yield more accurate models. Using RTK-equipped drones improves positioning accuracy and thus enhances the surveying accuracy of the generated point clouds.

Q: How accurate are the generated point clouds? A: Accuracy varies depending on the drone’s GPS precision, flight altitude, and whether ground control points are used. Even with ordinary GPS-equipped drones, under good conditions you can achieve relative errors on the order of several centimeters to a dozen or so centimeters (several in to around 4–8 in), which is adequate for many applications. With RTK-enabled drones or known ground control points, errors can be reduced to a few centimeters (around 1–2 in). With proper accuracy control, deliverables can meet the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism’s 3D surveying guidelines.

Q: Is advanced technical knowledge required to operate the service? A: No. As long as you understand how to upload photo data, the cloud performs advanced analysis automatically, so image analysis expertise is not required. The interface and manuals are available in Japanese and designed to be intuitive; following the guide enables smooth operation even for first-time users. If you have questions, you can quickly consult the support team, allowing you to start using the service with confidence.

Q: I’m uneasy about uploading data to the cloud—what about security? A: Our service implements robust security measures for data transmission and storage. Uploaded photos and generated point cloud data are encrypted and stored on secure cloud servers. User-specific access permissions ensure that only authorized members within your organization can view the data. Cloud servers are operated in reliable domestic data centers, so projects requiring confidentiality can be handled safely.