Table of Contents

• Current state and challenges of drone surveying

• What is On-site Innovation LRTK Drone Point Clouds

• Cost-saving benefits of cloud use

• Efficiency benefits of cloud use

• Key functions and features of LRTK drone point clouds

• Zero-blind-spot site measurement with drone + smartphone surveying

• Conclusion: The future of site surveying expanded by the cloud

• Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Current state and challenges of drone surveying

In recent years, aerial surveying using drones (drone surveying) has rapidly spread across construction and civil engineering sites. Because drones can photograph an entire site from above in a short time and obtain high-precision 3D data, they offer advantages over traditional ground surveying (total station surveying) in terms of safety and efficiency. In fact, a Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism survey reported a case where surveying a site of 0.31 square kilometers was completed in about 1.5 days with drone surveying, whereas the same work took about 45 days with total station surveying. Using drones can drastically reduce surveying days and personnel, and enable safe data acquisition even in steep terrain or disaster sites that are inaccessible to people.

However, there are several challenges to applying data obtained by drone surveying to on-site operations. Generating 3D deliverables such as orthophotos and point cloud data from the many high-resolution photos taken by a drone typically requires image analysis (SfM processing) with specialized software and a high-performance PC. In large sites, the number of photos can become enormous, and processing can take from several hours to several days. Costs are also incurred for licenses of specialized software and preparing and maintaining high-spec PCs, and if the company lacks skilled operators, analysis is often outsourced.

Also, the resulting point cloud data files are very large, and the viewers and effort required to handle and share them are another challenge. If the generated 3D data cannot be shared and viewed by all stakeholders, it becomes difficult to use it for consensus building and rapid decision-making on site. Furthermore, because drones shoot from above, there are blind spots to be aware of. Areas not visible from the air—under trees, behind bridges, inside buildings—will have gaps in the point cloud. In urban areas or other environments where drones cannot be flown, it is necessary to bring in ground-based laser scanners, which also increases cost and effort. To truly leverage drone surveying as on-site innovation, countermeasures to these challenges are required.

What is On-site Innovation LRTK Drone Point Clouds

To solve the challenges described above and bring out the true value of drone surveying, “LRTK Drone Point Clouds” was introduced. LRTK Drone Point Clouds is a cloud service that automatically generates point cloud data from photos taken by drones on the cloud and supports the entire workflow from on-site sharing to utilization. Developed and provided by a domestic manufacturer, it is also characterized by comprehensive support from introduction through operation.

With LRTK Drone Point Clouds, the previously required high-spec PCs and complex analysis tasks are unnecessary. By uploading photo data to the cloud, LRTK’s proprietary point cloud generation algorithm automatically produces a high-precision 3D point cloud model with latitude, longitude, and elevation information. A georeferenced orthophoto (an aerial image viewed from directly above like a map) is also automatically created during generation, and all data are assigned absolute coordinates based on real-world space. No complicated parameter settings or specialized knowledge are required—its intuitive cloud operation is designed so anyone can easily handle it.

In other words, by introducing LRTK Drone Point Clouds, you can realize a one-stop workflow from drone shooting → point cloud generation → viewing, analyzing, and sharing surveying data. For companies that want to utilize large-scale aerial point clouds, it is a tool for on-site innovation that removes concerns about preparing processing environments or needing specialized data-utilization skills.

Cost-saving benefits of cloud use

Using the cloud service LRTK Drone Point Clouds yields various cost-saving effects. First, investment costs for equipment and software are dramatically reduced. Traditionally, you needed expensive workstations and licenses for specialized software to process drone point clouds, but LRTK Drone Point Clouds eliminates that need. Because you can use the cloud-based processing engine and viewer, an ordinary laptop is sufficient. There is no need to purchase separate dedicated viewer software, as it is all included in the cloud subscription.

Also, labor and outsourcing costs can be reduced. When complex point cloud processing was entrusted to specialists or outsourced, labor costs and outsourcing fees mounted. With LRTK Drone Point Clouds, the on-site staff can simply upload the captured data and obtain results, enabling operation with a small team. It is not problematic even if the company lacks personnel with advanced analysis skills, and costs associated with training can be reduced.

Furthermore, the cloud provides unlimited storage, so there is no need to prepare expensive servers or storage devices to store and manage large point cloud datasets. Because you can use cloud resources as needed, you can flexibly respond to project-by-project load. This avoids wasteful overinvestment in equipment for peak times.

Overall, cloud use with LRTK Drone Point Clouds enables optimization of capital and operating expenses. By avoiding unnecessary initial investments and using resources only when needed, total costs can be significantly reduced.

Efficiency benefits of cloud use

Beyond cost, cloud use greatly contributes to operational efficiency. First, processing time is shortened. Because powerful servers on the cloud perform image analysis for LRTK Drone Point Clouds, there is no need to load your in-house PC for long periods. For example, even very large dam-site photo datasets have been processed into point clouds in about an hour. Staff can work on other tasks while waiting for processing, speeding up overall workflow.

Next, immediacy of data utilization is improved. 3D point clouds and orthophotos generated on the cloud can be viewed from anywhere via the internet. If on-site data are uploaded immediately, stakeholders in the office can be shared the same day and meetings and decisions can be made based on the latest conditions. There is no need to wait for installing dedicated software or shipping huge files, and all stakeholders can view the same data on the same platform in real time.

Additionally, the LRTK cloud includes a suite of survey analysis functions that reduce post-processing effort. Measurements of distance, area, and volume can be performed with one click, and embankment volume calculations on the order of thousands of cubic meters can be completed instantly. You can also extract arbitrary cross-sections from point clouds and save them as DXF drawings, significantly reducing processes that previously required manual CAD work. There is also a function to overlay design data onto 3D point clouds and automatically color-code differences, allowing you to instantly see whether the as-built matches the design. This streamlines construction management and inspection processes and helps early detection of defects.

Moreover, LRTK team’s expert support helps prevent unnecessary rework. Staff with extensive drone surveying know-how support flight planning consultations and flight feasibility judgments, enabling smooth operation even for first-time drone surveying users. Such comprehensive support minimizes time loss from trial-and-error and rework on site.

In this way, leveraging the cloud streamlines the entire flow from data processing to sharing and analysis, enabling overall site productivity improvement.

Key functions and features of LRTK drone point clouds

Below is a summary of representative functions and features provided by LRTK Drone Point Clouds.

• Automatic point cloud generation: From multiple photos taken by a drone, the cloud automatically generates high-density point cloud data. No specialized knowledge is required—after upload, automatic processing completes 3D modeling in a short time.

• Orthophoto generation: High-resolution orthomosaic images are created simultaneously during point cloud generation. These overhead, map-like images are useful as plan views and for as-built management.

• Absolute coordinates and high-precision positioning: Generated point clouds and orthophotos are assigned latitude, longitude, and elevation absolute coordinates, allowing exact overlay with maps and other surveying data. When necessary, you can specify ground control point information on the cloud for alignment to improve accuracy to centimeter-level accuracy (half-inch accuracy).

• Web 3D viewer: A browser-based viewer lets you view and manipulate 3D point clouds without installing dedicated software. Accessible from tablets as well as PCs, anyone can easily check 3D data.

• Unlimited cloud storage: LRTK cloud includes unlimited storage capacity, enabling you to keep massive point cloud data entirely in the cloud. This avoids filling up local PC disk space and makes project-based data management easy.

• Measurement and analysis tools: The cloud viewer enables measurement and analysis such as distance, area, volume, height difference, and slope using point clouds. You can immediately obtain the on-site numbers you need without relying on additional analysis software.

• Cross-section creation and CAD integration: You can extract arbitrary cross-sections from point cloud data and download the section shape in DXF format. This facilitates smooth integration with CAD drawing creation and earthwork volume calculation software (as-built management software).

• Comparison with design data: Upload design 3D models or drawing data and overlay them with as-built point clouds to color-code differences. You can quickly check whether completed shapes match the design, helping identify mismatches and manage quality.

• Point cloud editing and noise removal: The cloud provides functions to automatically remove and edit unnecessary noise points and outliers from acquired point clouds. Data cleanup can be done without going through other software.

• Data sharing via shareable links: Point cloud projects on LRTK cloud can be easily shared with external stakeholders by issuing a shareable link. Recipients can view the data even without an LRTK license, allowing smooth 3D data checks without a high-spec PC.

Zero-blind-spot site measurement with drone + smartphone surveying

While drones alone inevitably leave areas they cannot cover, LRTK also provides methods to complement those gaps. By using the smartphone-mount GNSS receiver “LRTK Phone,” one of the LRTK series, you can obtain high-precision point clouds in narrow or drone-invisible areas simply by walking while holding your smartphone. LRTK Phone is a small device attached to a smartphone (iPhone/iPad) that combines centimeter-level positioning from satellite positioning with the phone’s built-in LiDAR sensor and camera to 3D-scan the surroundings. For example, areas that are blind spots for drones—under trees, behind bridges, indoor spaces—can be easily measured in 3D using LRTK Phone.

LRTK Drone Point Clouds and LRTK Phone data are all acquired in a common coordinate system. Therefore, by adding smartphone-acquired point clouds to the wide-area terrain point clouds generated by drones, positions automatically align and form a seamless integrated model. This allows you to immediately supplement on-site details that drones lack in density or missed blind spots. In practice, scanning a forested area that had been shadowed in drone photos with LRTK Phone later filled in the missing point cloud and produced detailed terrain data. Combining drones and smartphone surveying makes it possible to achieve zero-blind-spot site measurement from ground to air.

Furthermore, the LRTK series includes the 360° camera integration solution “LRTK 360.” By storing 360-degree panorama photos of a site together with point cloud data in the cloud, you can vividly grasp site conditions without being on site. If you record a full set of drone point clouds + smartphone point clouds + 360° images, you can check site details from the office and greatly streamline meetings and reviews.

Conclusion: The future of site surveying expanded by the cloud

To maximize the potential of drone surveying, cost reduction and efficiency through cloud use are key. On-site Innovation LRTK Drone Point Clouds has emerged as a solution that achieves both, providing an environment where anyone can easily use high-precision 3D data. Its workflow, which quickly completes everything from data processing to sharing, removes traditional hurdles such as equipment costs and technical barriers, and truly accelerates on-site DX (digital transformation).

New cloud-enabled surveying methods are expected to reduce on-site workload, speed up decision-making, and ultimately improve overall construction productivity. Going forward, combining not only drones but also smartphone-based simplified surveying will make site measurement even more flexible and agile. The LRTK series is an all-in-one platform that supports such cutting-edge surveying. From large-scale civil engineering works to small site surveys, LRTK enables anyone to easily obtain and utilize the necessary data. Try leveraging LRTK to adopt a smart surveying approach that balances cost reduction and efficiency and change the future style of site surveying.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: What is LRTK Drone Point Clouds? A: It is a cloud service that automatically generates point cloud data from photos taken by drones and provides a one-stop solution for viewing, analyzing, and sharing 3D data. You can easily create high-precision point clouds and orthophotos with absolute coordinates.

Q: Do I need dedicated equipment or software to use it? A: No. No special hardware or software is required. One internet-connected computer is sufficient. Access LRTK cloud from a web browser and upload photos; the cloud performs the analysis. Results can also be viewed in the browser.

Q: Can I use it without an RTK-capable drone? A: Yes. It can be used with photos taken by ordinary GPS-equipped drones. LRTK Drone Point Clouds also supports setting and surveying ground control points, and using those points for cloud-based georeferencing can ensure high accuracy. While using an RTK-equipped drone can improve accuracy with less effort, it is not mandatory.

Q: How long does processing take? A: It varies depending on the number of photos and the area, but cloud processing typically yields results in a relatively short time. For a few hundred photos, processing may take several tens of minutes to about an hour; in most large-scale projects, point cloud generation is completed within a few hours. Your PC is not occupied during processing, so you can work on other tasks concurrently.

Q: What is the accuracy of the point cloud data? A: Relative accuracy (consistency within the point cloud) is very high, reproducing terrain and structures at levels below a few centimeters (below a few in). Absolute accuracy (alignment with a known coordinate system) depends on drone GPS accuracy and the presence of ground control points, but by properly using RTK or ground control points, errors can be contained within a few centimeters (within a few in). In any case, the data obtained are accurate enough for civil surveying and construction management.

Q: What if drones cannot be flown in certain locations? A: No problem. The LRTK series includes the smartphone-based “LRTK Phone” for easy surveying and the ground-based measurement device “LRTK LiDAR.” These allow acquisition of high-precision 3D data in indoor spaces, narrow areas, and populated areas where drones cannot be used. Acquired data can be integrated with drone point clouds on the cloud.

Q: How can I share created data? A: Simply issue a shareable link for the project on LRTK cloud to share data with internal and external stakeholders. Recipients can access the link and view 3D point clouds and orthophotos in a browser. No special software or account is needed, enabling smooth information sharing with clients and partner companies.

Q: Is the data uploaded to the cloud secure? A: Yes, data on the cloud are securely managed. Communications are encrypted, and viewing requires an issued shareable link. Access rights can be managed per project, so sensitive surveying data can be safely stored in the cloud.

Q: Can I download point clouds and drawing data? A: Yes. Point clouds and generated cross-sections on the cloud can be downloaded in standard file formats as needed. Point clouds are available in LAS or PLY, orthophotos in GeoTIFF, and cross-sections in DXF, making it easy to import them into your CAD or analysis software.