LRTK Drone Point Clouds Thorough Guide: The Secret of Cost Reduction Using the Cloud

Table of Contents

• Introduction

• What Is Drone Point Cloud Data (Features and Benefits)

• Overview of High-Precision Positioning Technologies RTK and LRTK

• Why Cloud Usage Enables Cost Reduction

• Benefits of Point Cloud Analysis and Sharing on the Cloud

• Main Use Cases for LRTK Drone Point Clouds

• Conclusion: A New Era of Low-Cost Surveying Realized by LRTK

• Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Introduction

In recent years, advances in drone photogrammetry and high-precision GNSS positioning technologies have been radically changing surveying methods. LRTK drone point clouds combine these latest technologies to rapidly and accurately acquire wide-area field data and complete processing and sharing using the power of the cloud. Three-dimensional surveying, which once required expensive equipment and advanced expertise, can now be implemented easily and at low cost by leveraging the cloud.

This article provides an in-depth explanation of the characteristics and benefits of point cloud data obtained by drones and an overview of RTK and LRTK technologies that achieve high-precision positioning. It also details why cloud utilization can drastically reduce the costs of point cloud processing and the convenient analysis and sharing functions made possible on the cloud. Finally, we describe how simple surveying with LRTK can be applied to fieldwork and naturally guide you toward next-generation surveying methods that can be started at low cost. Please read on to learn the secrets of efficiency improvement and cost reduction in surveying through the latest technology.

What Is Drone Point Cloud Data (Features and Benefits)

Drone point cloud data is a dense three-dimensional collection of points (a point cloud) generated by analyzing many photographs taken from the air by a camera mounted on a drone (unmanned aerial vehicle). Wide-area surveys that used to be measured point-by-point from the ground by human effort can be collected as area-wide data in a short time using drone photogrammetry. For example, in current-condition surveys of forests or large-scale reclaimed land, a point cloud model of the entire terrain can be created from aerial images captured by a drone, and heights and distances at arbitrary points can be measured in the office. This dramatically improves efficiency for large-scale surveys that used to take days to weeks and directly contributes to total cost reduction.

Drone-based point cloud surveying has the following features and benefits:

• Rapid data acquisition: Because a drone can capture a wide area from the air at once, it can obtain up-to-date field data in a short time even for large sites. It can safely survey remotely in dense forests, steep slopes, or disaster sites where people cannot enter, and tasks that traditionally took several days can sometimes be completed in a few hours to half a day. Shorter work time reduces labor costs and contributes to shortening project schedules and lowering overall costs.

• High-precision measurement: By processing the large number of photos acquired by a drone using photogrammetry techniques (SfM: Structure from Motion analysis), it is possible to determine 3D coordinates of each point with accuracy on the order of several centimeters (several inches). High-resolution images and data from multiple viewpoints produce detailed 3D models that faithfully reproduce terrain and structures and generate precise orthophotos (orthorectified images viewed from directly above). With proper reference alignment, drone point cloud data can achieve accuracies comparable to ground surveying and be used as reliable survey deliverables. (centimeter-level accuracy (half-inch accuracy))

• Improved cost efficiency: Because a single drone flight can cover a wide area, the need for numerous survey control points and large personnel deployments can be greatly reduced. Especially on vast sites, surveying can be completed by a small team in a short time, lowering personnel and travel costs and producing significant total cost savings. For example, earthwork volume calculations and land surveys that used to be done manually over several weeks have been shortened to a few days in some cases by combining drone photogrammetry with automatic analysis software. This is a major advantage for small and medium-sized businesses, opening the way to adopt the latest technologies within limited budgets.

• Improved safety: Drone surveying allows non-contact data collection in areas dangerous for people to enter—such as cliffs, steep slopes, or around buildings at risk of collapse. Terrain and structure information for locations that are “wanted but inaccessible” can be fully obtained from the air, contributing to worker safety and risk reduction. Avoiding surveying in hazardous locations reduces occupational accident risks and helps avoid unexpected costs related to accidents (medical expenses, schedule delays, etc.).

As described above, drone-based point cloud surveying offers major advantages in speed, accuracy, safety, and economy. Points to note include the limited battery life of drones, which may require multiple flights or battery changes for very large areas. There are also airspace/time restrictions under aviation laws, and in some cases a pilot license may be required. However, with proper planning and technical operation, drone point clouds can be a powerful means to complement or replace traditional manual surveying.

Overview of High-Precision Positioning Technologies RTK and LRTK

High positioning accuracy using GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System) is crucial to link point cloud data to accurate map coordinates. Standard standalone GPS positioning can suffer errors of several meters due to multipath from buildings and atmospheric effects; it is not uncommon for a smartphone or car navigation system to be off by 5–10 m. Such errors are inadequate for property boundary determination and precision surveying. The real-time correction technology used to address this is called RTK (Real Time Kinematic). RTK uses two GNSS receivers—a base station placed at a known coordinate and a rover on the moving unit—and the base station sends error information to the rover via radio or the internet to correct its positioning, dramatically improving accuracy. This reduces position errors to the order of several centimeters horizontally and vertically, enabling nearly instantaneous centimeter-level positioning. RTK achieves high accuracy by using the carrier phase of satellite signals (short wavelengths) and aligning the signal cycles from multiple satellites in integer units.

Traditional RTK surveying required setting up your own base station and operating dedicated high-performance GNSS equipment and communications devices, which was expensive and required expertise. However, with the advent of commercial correction information services that utilize the Geospatial Information Authority of Japan’s permanent GPS base station network and the Japan Quasi-Zenith Satellite System “Michibiki” centimeter-class augmentation service (CLAS), users can now access high-precision correction information without owning a base station. The latest solution born from this trend is LRTK.

LRTK (el-ahr-tee-kay) combines a small high-precision GNSS receiver with dedicated apps and cloud services to make RTK positioning easily usable with just a smartphone. Specifically, it uses a palm-sized GNSS rover device (LRTK device) that can be attached to a smartphone; the smartphone receives correction data in real time so centimeter-level position coordinates can be obtained. LRTK supports the Michibiki CLAS high-precision augmentation signals, which means it can receive RTK corrections directly from satellites even in field sites outside of cellular coverage—a major advantage. This overcomes the traditional limitation that “high-precision positioning is impossible outside communication coverage,” enabling stable accuracy anywhere. (cm level accuracy (half-inch accuracy))

Using LRTK, you can easily assign high-precision absolute coordinates to point cloud data acquired by drones or scanned with a smartphone. For example, you can georeference a point cloud model generated from drone photos by aligning it using a few known coordinates measured with an LRTK device, thereby correcting the entire model into a geodetic coordinate system with high accuracy. Previously, many ground control points (GCPs) had to be measured to fit the model, but LRTK can achieve equal or better accuracy with much less effort. LRTK also enables easy and inexpensive acquisition of centimeter-accuracy position information for tasks that were previously constrained by positioning environments or costs—such as boundary surveys in vast mountainous areas or infrastructure inspections—thus greatly improving point cloud data reliability and reducing labor.

Why Cloud Usage Enables Cost Reduction

After acquiring high-precision point cloud data with drones and LRTK, the next step is processing and analyzing that data to produce deliverables. A major traditional bottleneck has been the investment required in high-performance PCs and software for point cloud data processing. Point clouds that can reach tens of millions to hundreds of millions of points may produce file sizes of tens of GB, and handling them on local PCs requires workstations with massive memory and GPUs. Such high-end machines are costly to purchase and maintain, posing a high entry barrier for small and medium-sized businesses. Also, while heavy point cloud processing runs, the PC cannot be used for other tasks, reducing productivity.

Using the cloud for point cloud processing fundamentally solves these issues and is key to cost reduction. Specifically, instead of processing photos and point cloud data on your local PC, you upload them to high-performance servers in the cloud, where the analysis and processing are performed. Users then simply check results in a browser or download deliverables as needed, so even a field laptop or tablet can handle huge point cloud projects. There is no need for each user to own the latest GPU-equipped machine or purchase expensive analysis software; the cloud provides an always-updated, optimized environment. This enables significant reduction in initial capital expenditure. Instead of spending hundreds of thousands of yen on a high-performance PC setup and software licenses, you pay for cloud service usage on demand, which is economically sensible for businesses that do not frequently process very large data sets.

There are other cost-saving reasons for cloud utilization. One is improved data management and sharing. Traditionally, bringing massive point cloud files back from the field on USB media or copying them across a company LAN to distribute to team members was time-consuming and sometimes caused file version confusion—“which is the latest?” Centralizing data on the cloud allows all stakeholders to access the single, always-up-to-date dataset. If someone edits or adds to the point cloud, it is immediately reflected in the cloud dataset so others can view the latest information in real time. This eliminates worries about outdated versions sent by email or hard-disk handoff and reduces time and personnel costs associated with data sharing. As a result, it also reduces additional fieldwork or re-surveying, which is another major cost reduction point. For example, if the field and office are linked via the cloud, you can notice missing data on the spot and immediately perform additional capture, avoiding the waste of “taking data back, processing it, then realizing it’s incomplete and having to return to the field.”

Also, there is no need for each person to own specialized software or viewers, which is a cost advantage. Because point cloud viewing and light analysis can be done on the cloud, tasks that previously required paid software installations (e.g., point cloud viewers and measurement tools) are unnecessary. When showing data to internal or external stakeholders, you don’t need them to buy expensive software or prepare high-spec PCs. LRTK Cloud can display point cloud data smoothly in 3D on a web browser, and sharing a URL link allows recipients to view the point cloud without any software. This reduces information-sharing costs with clients and partners and smooths communication. When multiple people can review the same 3D data on the cloud during meetings, decision-making speeds up and remote consensus is easier, leading to overall operational efficiency improvements and cost savings.

In summary, the secrets of cost reduction through cloud utilization can be consolidated into the following points:

• No need for high-performance PCs: Heavy point cloud processing is handled in the cloud. A standard laptop is sufficient locally, saving the large expense of buying a workstation.

• Reduced software investment: Cloud services include processing functions and viewers, eliminating the need to buy dedicated analysis software or viewers. You always have access to the latest features.

• Improved scalability: Cloud resources can be scaled to project size, so you don’t need to augment hardware for each job. Large data sets can be processed quickly, saving labor and time costs.

• Efficient data sharing: Centralized data management and instant sharing on the cloud reduce re-surveying and delays due to information transfer, cutting travel and duplicate-work costs. Remote checks and instructions reduce unnecessary field actions.

• Lower maintenance and operational costs: Cloud providers handle local PC failures and software updates, reducing in-house IT maintenance costs and risks and ensuring a stable working environment.

For these reasons, LRTK drone point cloud services leveraging the cloud achieve outstanding cost performance compared to traditional methods in both initial investment and operational expenses. Especially for small businesses without the budget to purchase expensive equipment from scratch or for those wanting to try the latest technology, the ability to start using 3D point clouds at low cost is a major attraction.

Benefits of Point Cloud Analysis and Sharing on the Cloud

By enabling point cloud data to be handled on the cloud, tasks and analyses that previously required time and effort can be executed simply and quickly. LRTK Cloud is not just a data storage location but an all-in-one environment for utilizing point cloud data. Below are the main functions available with cloud point cloud processing and the deliverables and benefits they provide.

• Automatic orthophoto generation: The numerous photos taken by a drone are stitched together on the cloud to produce a geometrically corrected overhead image (orthomosaic) automatically. Since an orthophoto is an orthorectified image aligned to a map coordinate system, distances and areas can be measured. Image stitching that used to require dedicated software and time can now be done on the cloud at the click of a button. The resulting high-quality orthophotos are extremely useful for current-condition assessment and stakeholder briefings. Overlaying boundary lines or design drawings makes it easy to present site conditions intuitively.

• DSM and DTM generation: Cloud processing enables the creation of surface models from point cloud data. A DSM (Digital Surface Model) represents the height distribution of all surface features, including buildings and trees, while a DTM (Digital Terrain Model) represents the terrain surface alone after removing these features. These models help you understand elevation differences, slopes, and drainage. Earthwork volume calculations, site development plans, and flood simulations can all be supported by retrieving the necessary data on the cloud.

• Cross-sections and longitudinal/transverse profile creation: By drawing an arbitrary line on the point cloud, cross-sections along that line can be generated automatically. Longitudinal profiles for roads and rivers and transverse sections for earthworks can be created at the desk without visiting the field, aiding embankment/cut-and-fill considerations, retaining wall design, and elevation checks. If point clouds at multiple time points are available, before-and-after section comparisons are easy. Cross-section creation, which previously required on-site measurements or CAD drafting, can now be done almost in real time on the cloud, reducing the cost of drafting. The finished cross-sectional geometry can be exported in formats such as DXF for direct use as deliverables.

• 3D model output: Point clouds can be meshed into three-dimensional polygon models with photo textures applied. Mesh processing of point clouds on the cloud automatically generates realistic 3D models of buildings and structures. These can be used for three-dimensional boundary confirmation diagrams, building shape records, landscape simulation, and more. By downloading 3D data directly from the cloud and integrating it into design and construction workflows (including BIM/CIM), data utilization expands. Automating these tasks on the cloud without expensive modeling software saves time and cost.

• Dimension measurement and quantity calculation: On LRTK Cloud, various measurements and analyses using point cloud data can be performed instantly in a web browser. For example, distances between arbitrary two points, areas, and volumes can be calculated directly from the point cloud. Tasks such as calculating cut-and-fill volumes for an embankment area or measuring piping lengths and diameters of scanned equipment can be completed on the cloud without specialized software. Even volume calculations on the scale of thousands of cubic meters are automatically aggregated at the click of a button, supporting progress management and backfill quantity estimation. Measurement results can be shared immediately via generated links for stakeholder review, reducing reporting effort.

• Comparison with design data (difference detection): The cloud platform can overlay acquired point clouds with design 3D models or drawing data to analyze differences. For example, comparing as-built ground point clouds with the design model can visualize deviations using a heatmap—high areas in red and low areas in blue—making it easy to see whether construction matches the design. This allows immediate detection of nonconforming areas or surplus/deficit earth volumes, aiding repair planning and inspection documentation. The availability of such advanced analyses on the cloud enables on-site quality checks and prevents rework, producing additional cost-saving effects.

• Point cloud data sharing and viewing: As mentioned, large point cloud datasets uploaded to the cloud can be smoothly displayed and manipulated in a 3D web viewer. Sharing a URL link enables external parties without licenses to view point clouds from any perspective without dedicated software. This is useful for internal reviews, client briefings, and handing over data for future maintenance. Expanding the use of point cloud data from “data acquisition only” to “full utilization” drives genuine productivity and improved cost performance.

As described above, LRTK Cloud enables one-stop workflows from point cloud generation to analysis, visualization, and sharing, eliminating the need to use multiple tools. This simplifies operations for field staff and resolves losses and additional license costs associated with transferring data between software. By completing workflows on the cloud, you can maximize the information value obtained from point cloud data while minimizing the costs and time associated with processing.

Main Use Cases for LRTK Drone Point Clouds

LRTK drone point cloud solutions enable more efficient and economical 3D data utilization across a variety of field contexts. Here are some representative use cases.

• Wide-area as-built surveys and land investigations: You can quickly grasp terrain conditions over vast areas such as planned development sites in mountainous regions or planned infrastructure routes. By aligning drone-derived point cloud models precisely using LRTK control points, heights, slopes, and cross-sections can be analyzed freely in the office. What used to require many personnel and days of field surveying can now be completed with a single drone flight and cloud processing, significantly reducing labor and schedule costs. The reusable nature of the 3D as-built data also reduces the need for additional surveys when designs change.

• Boundary confirmation and land boundary negotiations: Using drone orthophotos and point clouds, you can obtain an aerial overview of terrain and structures around property boundaries. High-precision overhead photos can show the placement of boundary stakes or fences and be used in joint inspections with neighboring landowners to foster a common understanding. Overlaying boundary point coordinates on point clouds and combining them with terrain cross-sections enables three-dimensional explanations of boundary linearity and elevation differences with neighboring properties. Areas around boundaries that are hard to access can be captured from the air, reducing the burden of on-site reconnaissance for surveyors. These factors streamline the process of boundary determination and suppress unnecessary surveying.

• Site development planning and design support: Detailed topographic data are indispensable during planning and earthwork design. High-resolution ground models acquired with LRTK drone point clouds let designers and engineers understand site 3D conditions from the office. Contour maps and longitudinal/transverse sections from point clouds aid earthwork planning, and placing design 3D models on point clouds makes it possible to evaluate pre- and post-development images from the initial stages. This reduces redesigns and oversights, preventing rework during construction. Sharing planning documents on the cloud smooths stakeholder coordination, contributing to schedule shortening and prevention of cost overruns.

• Construction management and as-built inspection: Regular acquisition of drone point clouds during construction enables quantitative grasp of earthwork progress and as-built conditions. Comparing design models with as-built point clouds on LRTK Cloud quickly produces heatmaps to show surplus and deficit in cut-and-fill, allowing calculation of required corrective volumes. This enables immediate instructions for rework and reduces the risk of major corrective work later. Point cloud-derived volumes can be used for progress management, and sharing as-built comparisons with third parties improves construction management quality and transparency. Supervisors and clients can always access the latest 3D field information via the cloud, cutting travel costs and verification work.

• Disaster response and maintenance: In disasters such as landslides or floods, drones and LRTK enable rapid situational assessment. Point clouds generated in the cloud from drone images taken immediately after an event can be compared with historical terrain data to quickly estimate collapsed soil volumes and topographic changes. Because people do not need to enter dangerous sites, the risk of secondary disasters is reduced. The resulting 3D data can be shared online with relevant agencies for recovery planning and used as materials for explaining the situation to residents. For routine infrastructure inspections, regularly creating and storing drone point clouds of roads and bridges on the cloud supports detection of long-term changes and deterioration prediction. Early responses enabled by this approach reduce repair costs and, through planned maintenance, lower lifecycle costs.

As shown, LRTK drone point clouds are effective across a wide range of scenes from surveying and design to construction, maintenance, and disaster response, delivering higher results at lower cost than traditional methods in each case. Beyond simply reducing surveying costs, the value of data utilization improves overall work efficiency and risk reduction, creating total cost savings.

Conclusion: A New Era of Low-Cost Surveying Realized by LRTK

The combination of drone point cloud surveying, high-precision GNSS (RTK/LRTK), and cloud-based data processing and sharing is opening up a new low-cost operational model in the surveying and civil engineering industries. Among these, the appearance of LRTK, which enables centimeter-accurate positioning with a smartphone and a small device, is a groundbreaking solution that balances “high precision” with “ease of use.” By leveraging LRTK, RTK-level surveying that previously required expensive dedicated equipment and skilled operators can be made available to everyone, and high precision can easily be applied to wide-area drone surveys. As a result, the cost structure of surveying and site management is being transformed, making the ideal of maintaining and improving quality while reducing costs a practical reality.

For example, by adopting LRTK drone point clouds, you can go to the field with just a laptop and lightweight equipment, acquire and process large amounts of 3D survey data in a short time, and share results on the same day. Compared to expensive laser scanners, initial investment is lower, and cloud processing eliminates the need to hire in-house specialist operators. The LRTK attribute of being “high-precision yet low-cost” is a major boon for sites struggling with labor shortages and budget constraints. Its intuitive simplicity also makes it easier for non-specialists to use, reducing in-house training costs and handover burdens.

Going forward, cloud-era surveying technologies represented by drone × LRTK are expected to continue evolving and become industry standards. Proactively adopting advanced point cloud utilization techniques will not only improve operational efficiency and service quality but also strengthen your ability to handle new projects and differentiate from competitors. Simple surveying with LRTK not only achieves low cost but also provides the added value of high-precision data—truly meeting the next-generation demand for “cheap, fast, and accurate.” Please consider LRTK solutions to evolve your surveying operations to the next stage. For details, please refer to the LRTK official site and materials, or feel free to contact us.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q. What is the difference between LRTK and traditional RTK surveying? A. Traditional RTK surveying required dedicated, expensive GNSS receivers and base stations and a communication environment. LRTK differs in that it uses a small high-precision GNSS device attached to a smartphone to achieve RTK-equivalent centimeter-level positioning easily. Also, because it supports Michibiki (CLAS), correction information can be received even outside cellular coverage, enabling high-precision positioning in mountainous areas without your own base station. In short, LRTK lowers the barrier to RTK surveying and makes it affordable and accessible. (cm level accuracy (half-inch accuracy))

Q. What equipment is needed to start drone surveying? A. Essentially, a drone equipped with a high-resolution camera (commercial aerial drones are fine) and an LRTK GNSS receiver (Smartphone-compatible device) are sufficient to get started. Photos captured by the drone can be uploaded to LRTK Cloud for automatic point cloud generation. To further improve accuracy, you can place ground control points (targets) and measure their coordinates with LRTK, which improves model alignment accuracy, but this is not mandatory. In general, a standard drone and a smartphone you already own are enough to start operating LRTK drone point clouds. There is no need to purchase special, expensive equipment.

Q. Do I need a high-performance PC for photo processing and point cloud generation? A. No. LRTK drone point clouds handle photo analysis, point cloud generation, and analysis on cloud servers. Therefore, a typical internet-connected PC is sufficient. In practice, you can access the cloud from a laptop or tablet to view and measure large point cloud datasets. The conventional notion that “you need a high-performance PC and dedicated software to handle 3D point clouds” is becoming a thing of the past thanks to cloud utilization.

Q. Can people without surveying expertise use it effectively? A. Yes. The LRTK series is designed to be easy for beginners. Dedicated apps have intuitive UIs, and steps like capture and upload are simple. Cloud viewing and measurement are presented in an easy-to-understand browser interface. Domestic manufacturers also provide robust support, so onboarding training and inquiries during introduction are promptly handled. Even those without prior exposure to 3D surveying can adopt the system with confidence and gradually expand its use on-site.

Q. What level of surveying accuracy can I expect? A. It depends on operating conditions, but with an LRTK device you can obtain position information within several centimeters (several inches) horizontally and vertically. The relative accuracy of the drone point cloud (shape reproduction accuracy) depends on flight altitude and image resolution, but typical aerial surveys generate point cloud models that capture fine detail. Absolute coordinate accuracy can be improved by reference measurements using LRTK control points or by equipping the drone with onboard RTK. Properly aligned LRTK drone point cloud data possesses accuracy sufficient for most civil engineering survey and design uses—for example, height and distance measurements within an error range of a few centimeters. In poor field conditions, auxiliary ground measurements can be combined to compensate. Overall, LRTK drone point clouds deliver precision comparable to traditional manual surveying while achieving significant efficiency gains. (cm level accuracy (half-inch accuracy))

Q. What if a drone cannot be flown at a site? A. In urban dense areas or indoors where drone flight is difficult, LRTK offers alternative devices and methods. For example, using LRTK Phone (a smartphone-mounted GNSS scanner), you can walk while capturing images with your phone to acquire point cloud data, covering areas under tree canopies or behind structures that drones cannot capture. In practice, drone point clouds and detailed point clouds from LRTK Phone can be integrated on the cloud to create a complete 3D model. In cities, ground-based 360-degree cameras combined with LRTK can be used for recording. By choosing among LRTK’s various tools depending on the use case, 3D data acquisition and surveying can be achieved even where drones cannot be flown.

If you are interested, please try simple 3D surveying with LRTK. For detailed product information or consulting on introduction, visit the LRTK official site’s materials page or contact us via the inquiry form. Leverage the latest technologies to start smart surveying that is low-cost and high-precision!