High-spec PC Not Required! A Cloud-Completed Drone Point Cloud Generation Service

Table of Contents

• Challenges of Drone Point Cloud Generation

• What Is a Cloud-Completed Point Cloud Processing Service?

• Benefits of Using the Cloud

• Deliverables and Features That Can Be Generated

• Use Cases in Construction and Surveying

• Simple Surveying Using LRTK with a Smartphone

• FAQ

Challenges of Drone Point Cloud Generation

In recent years, 3D surveying with drones has attracted attention in the construction industry as part of *digital transformation (DX)*. Supported by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism’s *i-Construction* initiative, the use of 3D survey data is being promoted. By photographing a site from above and generating point cloud data from those photos, you can accurately measure terrain and structures and use the results for as-built management and earthwork volume calculations. However, traditionally, generating high-precision 3D point cloud data from photos required a high-performance PC and expensive specialized software. A point cloud is a three-dimensional model representing the surface shape of an object with many survey points (a collection of point coordinates). The initial introduction cost posed a significant burden, and even after introducing drones, many organizations only ended up *viewing the captured photos* without taking the step to create 3D models.

Furthermore, generating point clouds from over 100 high-resolution images requires long processing times, tying up the PC during that period. Operating photogrammetry (SfM) software and configuring parameters also requires specialized knowledge, making it difficult to handle without in-house technicians. Due to these high hurdles, some companies have had to give up on performing detailed terrain modeling and earthwork calculations with drones in-house and instead outsource the work.

When outsourcing, analysis can take several days to complete and can be costly. On the other hand, if a company can use a cloud service, data processing can be completed on the day of the drone flight, and results can be checked the same day. Solutions that meet these needs are now emerging.

What Is a Cloud-Completed Point Cloud Processing Service?

Recently, cloud-completed drone point cloud processing services have appeared. In Japan, services are beginning to be offered that automatically convert aerial photos taken on site into 3D point cloud data simply by uploading them to a cloud platform. Using these services makes it easy to generate point clouds without purchasing dedicated high-spec PCs or software.

Usage is simple. Access the cloud service site via a web browser and upload the photos taken by the drone. High-performance servers in the cloud then automatically execute the photogrammetric analysis. This analysis matches common points appearing in multiple photos and calculates the 3D coordinates of each point based on triangulation principles (Structure from Motion technology). Even with hundreds of photos, the server-side parallel processing progresses efficiently, and in some cases results can be obtained in less time than processing on a traditional PC. Once processing is complete, deliverables such as 3D point clouds and orthomosaic images are output on the cloud, and users can view and download them via a browser. Because heavy computation does not need to be performed on the local PC, other work can continue during processing, so productivity is not reduced.

Since the cloud service provides an analysis workflow optimized for processing, there is no need for complicated settings. If basic quality such as photo count and overlap is ensured, users can obtain high-quality point cloud data even without specialized knowledge. In this way, cloud utilization is making advanced data processing for drone surveying far more accessible.

Benefits of Using the Cloud

Using the cloud for point cloud generation offers many advantages compared to traditional methods. Major benefits are summarized below.

• Reduced initial costs: There is no need to purchase high-performance PCs or costly software, significantly lowering capital investment. For example, conventional equipment investments could range from several hundred thousand to several million yen, but removing that burden makes adoption easier for small and medium-sized enterprises.

• Reduced load on local PCs: Because large-scale photo processing is done in the cloud, you don’t have to worry about your PC freezing for long periods. Other tasks can proceed in parallel, freeing you from the stress of long processing waits.

• Fast processing and scalability: Powerful cloud servers and parallel processing allow heavy analyses to finish in short timeframes. Large photo counts and large-area projects can be handled. For example, analyses that would take more than half a day on a typical PC can sometimes be completed in a few hours in the cloud. Cloud services also enable flexible parallel work, such as processing multiple site datasets at once.

• Accessible anywhere: The service is accessible via the internet, so you can upload data and check results from the office, the field, or while on the move. For example, you can send photos to the cloud immediately after on-site shooting, have analysis proceed while traveling, and receive results by the time you return to the office.

• Easy data sharing: Generated point clouds and orthomosaic images are stored in secure cloud storage and can be shared online with stakeholders or jointly viewed. Large datasets are accumulated in the cloud, eliminating concerns about local disk space. Also, without installing dedicated viewer software on each PC, 3D data can be viewed directly in the browser.

• Always using the latest technology: The service provider continuously updates analysis algorithms and features, allowing users to benefit from the latest technology. Accuracy improvements and new features are automatically reflected with updates, so users don’t need to perform troublesome software updates themselves.

• Comprehensive support: With domestic cloud services, you can receive robust Japanese-language support and implementation assistance. Questions about operations or troubleshooting can be consulted immediately, so beginners can start using the service with confidence.

Deliverables and Features That Can Be Generated

Cloud-based point cloud generation services can automatically produce a variety of deliverables useful for surveying and design, not just point clouds. Representative outputs include:

• 3D point cloud data: High-density colored point clouds are generated from drone photos. By combining positioning information from RTK-capable drones and ground control points, high-accuracy point clouds with precise absolute coordinates for each point can be obtained. Generated point cloud data can be exported in standard formats such as LAS for use in other CAD software and analysis tools.

• Orthomosaic images: Photos taken over wide areas are stitched together to create distortion-free nadir-view orthomosaic images. These coordinate-tagged images can be used as survey maps to overview current conditions.

• Digital Surface Model (DSM) and contour lines: Elevation data of the ground surface can be extracted from generated point clouds to create grid-format DSMs and contour maps at specified intervals. These can be used as terrain maps.

• Various measurement functions: In the cloud point cloud viewer, you can measure the distance between any two points, calculate area of enclosed regions, and compute volume, elevation differences, and slopes. For example, the volume of an embankment can be automatically calculated by setting a reference plane on the point cloud. Without special CAD software, required dimension information can be read directly on the web.

• Cross-section creation (DXF output): Cross-sections along arbitrary section lines can be extracted from point clouds and automatically converted into CAD drawings. Generated cross-sections can be downloaded in DXF format and used directly for comparison with design drawings or in reports.

• Overlay with design data: Design models or drawing data can be overlaid on 3D point clouds to visualize differences between as-built conditions and design plans. The service supports output of color-difference maps recommended by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism’s as-built management guidelines (draft), aiding early detection of construction defects. Functions such as color-coding deviations between the designed shape and the current condition strongly support construction management and inspection tasks.

Use Cases in Construction and Surveying

Cloud-completed drone point cloud generation services are expected to be useful across various industries and tasks. They are likely to be especially effective in the following areas:

• Construction and civil engineering: Drone surveying can be used for as-built management and earthwork volume calculations at construction sites. For example, calculating fill and excavation volumes from point clouds captured during site preparation streamlines progress management and as-built reporting. Tasks that once took people days to measure manually can be completed the same day from shooting to cloud processing with drones, enabling rapid decision-making. This 3D surveying method aligns with the Ministry’s *i-Construction* initiative and contributes to advanced site management.

• Surveying firms and construction consultants: The ability to produce 3D deliverables quickly and cheaply improves operational efficiency and service competitiveness. Without owning expensive workstations or software in-house, large survey projects can rely on cloud processing, shortening delivery times and reducing costs. Additionally, automated processing stabilizes data quality, allowing less experienced technicians to produce high-quality outputs.

• Municipalities and public organizations: For infrastructure inspections and disaster response, on-site drone imagery can be rapidly converted into 3D data. By sending images from the field to the cloud, detailed terrain models and orthophotos can be available within hours, quickly aiding damage assessment and facility management. For example, in a large-scale landslide, aerial drone records can be used to calculate collapsed soil volumes the same day and reflect them in restoration plans. Even without a dedicated department, many situations can be handled without outsourcing.

• Other fields: Use cases are expanding to agriculture and forestry for understanding fields and forest terrain, and to education and research for easily creating 3D models. From vast measurement areas to dangerous zones where people cannot enter, drone×cloud point clouds can be applied in many fields depending on the idea.

Simple Surveying Using LRTK with a Smartphone

In addition to cloud-based drone point cloud generation, simple surveying using a smartphone is gaining attention as a way to easily perform 3D surveying on site. Our offering, LRTK Phone, is a groundbreaking system that realizes 3D surveying with cm 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 phone’s built-in LiDAR scanner and camera, a single person can easily acquire high-accuracy point cloud data. Launch the dedicated app and walk the site with the phone in hand, and 3D point cloud creation is completed on the spot.

For example, areas difficult for drones to capture—such as under bridges or forest floors—can be scanned in detail simply by walking with the LRTK Phone. Because the acquired ground point cloud data has absolute coordinates, it can be automatically overlaid with point clouds generated by drones. Complementing aerial blind spots with smartphone data enables more comprehensive condition assessment.

For routine simple measurements, the smartphone alone may suffice without flying a drone. Being able to quickly obtain on-site 3D data when needed greatly increases productivity at sites with frequent surveying tasks. By using the cloud drone point cloud service and LRTK Phone in combination, you can establish a seamless workflow covering wide-area mapping to detailed measurements.

Thus, with the emergence of cloud-completed services and smartphone surveying technologies, drone-based 3D surveying is becoming increasingly accessible. Why not introduce a new workflow that frees you from dependence on high-spec PCs and ride the wave of DX (digital transformation)? Free from cumbersome PC processing, you can quickly make use of field data. Our LRTK platform robustly supports your surveying workflow reforms through these cutting-edge technologies. Note that cloud analysis technology is progressing rapidly, and our LRTK platform plans further feature expansions. We will continue to adopt the latest technologies to support your operational efficiency.

FAQ

Q: What kind of users is this service suitable for? A: It is suitable for a wide range of people who want to use 3D data from drone surveying, including construction site technicians and civil surveying staff, consultants handling spatial data, and municipal employees managing infrastructure. Small businesses without a dedicated department can also easily adopt the service, so it is recommended for anyone who wants to make effective use of drones. Additionally, individual drone operators and small businesses can use it as an easy means to achieve advanced 3D surveying.

Q: What deliverables can I get from this service? A: The service can automatically generate 3D point cloud data (colored point clouds), high-resolution orthophotos (nadir-view images), digital surface models (DSM) and contour maps, and DXF cross-section drawings, among other outputs. It provides the outputs needed for surveying and design, so acquired data can be used directly for various purposes.

Q: How long does analysis take? A: Processing time depends on the number of photos and the cloud server’s load, but for example, generating a point cloud from about 100 photos often completes in around 1 hour. Large projects on the order of 500 photos can be processed in a few hours to half a day. As a guideline, results are typically obtainable the same day. You can expect results faster than processing on a standalone PC in many cases.

Q: Do I need special equipment or software to use it? A: All you need is a standard PC (or tablet), an internet connection, and the drone itself. The cloud service is accessible via a web browser, so no dedicated software installation is required. Whether Windows or Mac, any OS that runs a browser will work. You do not need a high-performance PC; as long as the browser runs, all processing is performed on the server side.

Q: Are there restrictions on the drone used? A: Generally, photos taken with commercially available aerial drones can be processed regardless of model. However, camera resolution and shooting methods are important to generate high-quality point clouds. Take high-resolution, clear photos with sufficient overlap to obtain accurate models. Using an RTK-equipped drone improves positioning accuracy and further enhances the survey accuracy of the generated point cloud.

Q: What level of survey accuracy can be achieved with the generated point clouds? A: Accuracy varies depending on drone GPS accuracy, flight altitude, and the presence of ground control points. With a drone equipped only with standard GPS, under good conditions relative errors on the order of several cm–a dozen or so cm (several in–a few in) can be achieved, which is practically sufficient for many uses. Furthermore, using an RTK-capable drone or known ground points can reduce errors to around several cm (several in). With proper accuracy control, deliverables can meet the quality required by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism’s 3D surveying guidelines.

Q: Is advanced expertise required to operate the service? A: No. As long as you understand how to upload photos, the cloud handles the advanced analysis automatically, so specialized image analysis skills are unnecessary. The interface and manuals are in Japanese and designed to be intuitive. By following the guidance, even first-time users can operate smoothly. If you have questions, our support team will assist you, so you can start using the service with confidence.

Q: I’m concerned about entrusting data to the cloud. Is security sufficient? A: This service implements robust security measures for communications and data storage. Uploaded photos and generated point clouds are encrypted and securely stored on cloud servers. User-specific access controls ensure that only authorized members within your organization can view data. Cloud servers are operated in reliable domestic data centers, so you can safely use the service even for confidential projects.