On-site Innovation LRTK Drone Point Clouds: Cost Reduction and Efficiency through Cloud Utilization

Table of Contents

• Current state and challenges of drone surveying

• What is On-site Innovation LRTK Drone Point Clouds

• Cost reduction benefits from cloud utilization

• Operational efficiency benefits from cloud utilization

• Main functions and features of LRTK drone point clouds

• Zero blind spots in field measurement with drone + smartphone surveying

• Conclusion: The future of field 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 capture the entire site from above in a short time and produce high-accuracy 3D data, they offer advantages in safety and efficiency over traditional ground surveying (TS surveying). In fact, according to a survey by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, when surveying a site of 0.31 square kilometers, a task that took about 45 days with TS surveying was reported to be completed in about 1.5 days with drone surveying. Using drones can drastically reduce surveying days and personnel, and enables safe data acquisition even in steep terrain or disaster sites where humans cannot enter.

However, there are several challenges to actually using drone-acquired data in field operations. Generating 3D deliverables such as orthophotos and point cloud data from the many high-resolution photos taken by a drone typically requires specialized software for image analysis (SfM processing) and a high-performance PC. At large sites the number of photos can be enormous, and processing can take from several hours to several days. License fees for dedicated software and the preparation and maintenance costs of high-spec PCs add expense, and if a company lacks skilled operators, analysis is often outsourced.

Also, the resulting point cloud data files are very large, and the need for viewer software and the effort to share data are additional challenges. Even if 3D data are generated, if they cannot be shared and viewed by all stakeholders, it becomes difficult to use them for consensus building and quick decision-making on site. Furthermore, because drones capture images from the air, there are inherently blind spots to be mindful of. Under tree canopies, behind bridges, inside buildings, and other areas not visible from above will have missing point cloud data. In urban areas where drones cannot be flown, it is necessary to bring in ground-based laser scanners, which also increases cost and effort. To truly turn drone surveying into on-site innovation, measures to address these challenges are required.

What is On-site Innovation LRTK Drone Point Clouds

To solve the challenges described above and unlock the full value of drone surveying, the solution known as “LRTK drone point clouds” has emerged. LRTK drone point clouds is a cloud service that automatically generates point cloud data from drone photos on the cloud and provides end-to-end support for sharing and utilizing the data on site. It is developed and provided by a domestic manufacturer, and a key feature is the extensive support available from introduction through operation.

With LRTK drone point clouds, the previously required high-spec PCs and complex analysis work are unnecessary. Using LRTK’s unique point cloud generation algorithm, simply uploading photo data to the cloud yields high-accuracy 3D point cloud models with latitude, longitude, and elevation information. During generation, orthophoto mosaics (images viewed directly from above like a map) are also created automatically, and all data are assigned absolute coordinates based on real-world locations. No difficult parameter settings or specialist knowledge are required; the cloud interface is intuitive and designed so anyone can use it easily.

In short, by introducing LRTK drone point clouds, you can realize a one-stop workflow for drone capture → point cloud generation → viewing, analyzing, and sharing survey data. For companies that want to utilize large-scale aerial point clouds, it is a tool for on-site innovation that removes the hurdles of preparing a processing environment and needing specialized data-usage knowledge.

Cost reduction benefits from cloud utilization

By leveraging the cloud service LRTK drone point clouds, various cost reduction effects can be achieved. First, the investment cost for equipment and software is greatly reduced. Traditionally, you needed expensive workstations and licenses for dedicated software for drone point cloud processing, but LRTK drone point clouds removes that need. Because the cloud processing engine and viewer are available, a standard laptop is sufficient. There is no need to purchase a separate dedicated viewer; everything is included in the cloud subscription.

Also, labor and outsourcing costs can be reduced. When complex point cloud processing was entrusted to specialist staff or outsourced, personnel and consulting fees accumulated. With LRTK drone point clouds, site staff can simply upload captured data and obtain results, enabling small-team operation. Even if your company lacks advanced analysis skills, it is not a problem, and training costs can be kept down.

Furthermore, the cloud provides unlimited storage capacity, so you do not need to prepare expensive servers or storage devices to store and manage large point cloud datasets. You can use only the cloud resources you need when you need them, allowing flexible handling of project loads. This eliminates wasted capital expenditure on overprovisioning for peak times.

Overall, cloud utilization with LRTK drone point clouds enables optimization of capital and operating expenses. By avoiding unnecessary initial investments and using resources only when required, total costs can be significantly reduced.

Operational efficiency benefits from cloud utilization

Beyond cost, cloud utilization greatly contributes to operational efficiency. First, there is reduced processing time. Because powerful servers on the cloud perform the image analysis, there is no need to put a heavy load on internal PCs for long periods. For example, even for very large dam sites, there is a track record of point cloud generation completing in about one hour. Staff can work on other tasks while waiting for processing to finish, speeding up overall operations.

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 data captured on site are uploaded immediately, stakeholders in the office can share them the same day and base meetings and decisions on the latest on-site conditions. There is no need to wait for installation of dedicated software or shipment of huge files; all stakeholders can check the same data on the same platform in real time.

Additionally, the LRTK cloud includes a full set of survey analysis functions, reducing post-processing work. Distance, area, and volume measurements can be performed with one click; even earthwork volume calculations on the order of thousands of cubic meters can be completed instantly. Arbitrary cross-sections can be extracted from the point cloud and saved as DXF drawings, greatly reducing tasks that previously required manual work in CAD software. There is also a function to overlay design data on the 3D point cloud and automatically color-code differences, making it easy to see at a glance whether the as-built shape matches the design. This streamlines construction management and inspection processes and helps detect defects early.

In addition, the professional support from the LRTK team helps prevent unnecessary rework. Staff with extensive drone surveying know-how can assist with flight plan consultation and flight feasibility judgments, ensuring smooth operations even for first-time drone surveying users. This comprehensive support minimizes time losses from trial-and-error and rework on site.

Thus, by leveraging the power of the cloud, the entire workflow from data processing to sharing and analysis is streamlined, achieving increased productivity across the site.

Main functions and features of LRTK drone point clouds

Below is a summary of the principal functions and features offered 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 specialist knowledge is required; after uploading, automated processing completes 3D modeling in a short time.

• Orthophoto generation: High-resolution orthomosaic images are created simultaneously during point cloud generation. These map-like overhead 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 and can be overlaid precisely with maps and other survey data. If needed, ground control point information can be specified on the cloud to align positions and improve accuracy to the centimeter level (half-inch accuracy).

• Web 3D viewer: A viewer allows browsing and manipulating 3D point clouds in a browser without installing dedicated software. It is accessible from PCs and tablets, so anyone can easily check 3D data.

• Unlimited cloud storage: LRTK cloud includes unlimited storage space, so even massive point cloud datasets can be kept entirely in the cloud. This avoids filling up local PC disks and makes project-based data management easy.

• Measurement and analysis tools: In the cloud viewer, you can measure distance, area, volume, height differences, slope, and other quantities using point clouds. Required values can be obtained instantly without relying on additional analysis software.

• Cross-section creation and CAD integration: You can extract arbitrary cross-sections from point clouds and download the cross-section geometry as DXF. This facilitates drawing creation in CAD software and integration with earthwork/quality-management tools.

• Comparison with design data: Upload design 3D models or drawing data and overlay them on the current point cloud to display differences in color. This allows immediate checking of whether the finished shape matches the design and aids in finding discrepancies and quality control.

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

• Data sharing via shareable links: Point cloud projects on LRTK cloud can be shared easily with external stakeholders by issuing share links. Recipients can view the data without an LRTK license, and they do not need a high-spec PC to smoothly check 3D data.

Zero blind spots in field measurement with drone + smartphone surveying

There will inevitably be areas that a drone alone cannot fully cover, but LRTK provides complementary means to address this. By using the smartphone-mounted GNSS receiver “LRTK Phone,” part of the LRTK series, you can obtain high-accuracy point clouds by simply walking while holding up your smartphone in narrow spaces or locations not visible from above. LRTK Phone is a small device attached to a smartphone (iPhone/iPad) that combines centimeter-level position information (half-inch accuracy) from satellite positioning with the smartphone’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 surveyed in 3D using LRTK Phone.

Data from LRTK drone point clouds and LRTK Phone are all acquired in the same coordinate system. Therefore, if you add smartphone-acquired point clouds to the wide-area terrain point cloud produced by a drone, the positions automatically align and a seamless integrated model is created. This allows immediate on-site補完 of details lacking density in drone point clouds or blind spots that were not captured from the air. In practice, scanning a forested area that was in shadow in drone imagery with LRTK Phone afterward successfully filled point cloud gaps and produced detailed terrain data. By combining drone and smartphone surveying in this way, you can achieve zero blind spots in field measurement from ground to air.

Additionally, the LRTK series includes the panoramic camera integration solution “LRTK 360.” By storing 360-degree panorama photos from the site together with point cloud data in the cloud, you can vividly grasp site conditions without being physically present. If you record the full set—drone point clouds + smartphone point clouds + 360° images—you can inspect site details from the office and greatly streamline meetings and review work.

Conclusion: The future of field surveying expanded by the cloud

Maximizing the potential of drone surveying depends on cost reduction and efficiency gains through cloud utilization. On-site Innovation LRTK drone point clouds has emerged as a solution that delivers both, providing an environment where anyone can easily use high-accuracy 3D data. By eliminating traditional hurdles such as equipment costs and technical barriers, and by completing workflows from data processing to sharing quickly, it truly accelerates on-site DX (digital transformation).

New surveying methods enabled by the cloud are expected to reduce onsite workload, speed up decision-making, and ultimately improve productivity across projects. Going forward, combining drone surveys with simple smartphone-based surveys will likely make field measurement even more flexible and agile. The LRTK series supports these cutting-edge surveying methods as an all-in-one platform. From large civil works to small site investigations, LRTK enables anyone to easily acquire and use the necessary data. Change your field surveying style with LRTK and take the step toward smart surveying that balances cost reduction and efficiency.

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-accuracy point clouds and orthophotos with absolute coordinates.

Q: Do I need special equipment or software to use it? A: No, you do not need special hardware or software. One internet-connected computer is sufficient. Access LRTK cloud from a web browser, upload photos, and the cloud performs the analysis. Results can also be viewed in the browser.

Q: Can it be used without an RTK-capable drone? A: Yes, it can be used with photos taken by standard GPS-equipped drones. LRTK drone point clouds also support the use and surveying of ground control points, and if needed, position correction using ground control points on the cloud can ensure high accuracy. Using an RTK-equipped drone can improve accuracy with less effort, but it is not mandatory.

Q: How long does processing take? A: Processing time varies with the number of photos and the area size, but cloud processing typically yields results in a relatively short time. For a few hundred photos, processing often takes from several tens of minutes to about an hour; even for large projects, point cloud generation is usually completed within a few hours. Since processing doesn’t occupy your PC, you can perform other tasks in parallel.

Q: How accurate are the point cloud data? A: Relative accuracy (consistency within the point cloud) is very high and can reproduce terrain and structures to under a few centimeters (under a few inches). Absolute accuracy (alignment with known coordinate systems) 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 (a few inches). In any case, the data are accurate enough for civil surveying and construction management.

Q: What if I can’t fly a drone at the site? A: Don’t worry—if drone flight is difficult due to regulations or physical conditions, the LRTK series includes smartphone-based surveying with “LRTK Phone” and ground-based measuring devices such as “LRTK LiDAR.” These allow acquisition of high-accuracy 3D data even indoors, in narrow areas, or in populated zones where drones cannot be used. Acquired data can be integrated with drone point clouds in the cloud.

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

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

Q: Can I download point cloud 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 formats, orthophotos in GeoTIFF, and cross-sections in DXF, among other formats, enabling smooth import into your CAD and analysis software.