What changes with point cloud cloud collaboration? Introduction, benefits, and usage techniques

Table of Contents

• What is point cloud data? Background for growing attention

• Challenges of sharing and collaborating on point cloud data

• Point cloud collaboration expanded by the cloud

• Benefits of introducing point cloud cloud collaboration

• Ways to utilize point cloud cloud collaboration

• Start site DX with simple surveying using LRTK

• FAQ

What is point cloud data? Background for growing attention

In recent years the term point cloud data has become increasingly common. Point cloud data is a collection of countless three-dimensional coordinate points obtained by laser scanners or photogrammetry that digitally records the shape of an object or terrain in detail. Each point contains X, Y, and Z coordinate values and color information, and by plotting them you can reproduce a lifelike 3D model (digital twin) on a computer. Point cloud technology is extremely powerful because it can record the site as it is, including subtle unevenness that cannot be captured by plans or photographs.

For example, while traditional manual surveying records key points of terrain, point cloud measurement captures the target area as a surface in a single pass, resulting in fewer omissions and enabling wide-area recording in a short time. There is also the advantage that high or dangerous locations can be measured safely from a distance, making it superior in both efficiency and safety.

Point cloud data is attracting attention across many fields, including civil engineering and construction. This is due in part to the spread of drones and 3D laser scanners, and more recently the inclusion of LiDAR sensors on smartphones and tablets, which has made 3D measurement accessible to anyone. The construction industry’s push for DX, exemplified by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism–led *"i-Construction"*, has also helped, bringing point cloud technology—once limited to specialists—into the spotlight as a new tool on site. From wide-area terrain surveys to interior building scans, plant equipment maintenance, cultural heritage preservation, and disaster site documentation, the use cases for 3D point clouds are rapidly expanding. In the construction industry, 3D point cloud–driven DX is also expected as a solution to labor shortages, long working hours, and stagnant productivity.

Challenges of sharing and collaborating on point cloud data

Although means of acquiring point cloud data have become more accessible and opportunities to use it on site have increased, there remain challenges to sharing that data among multiple people and collaborating. The first hurdle is the large data size. High-density point cloud files can contain millions to hundreds of millions of points, and file sizes from hundreds of MB to several GB are not uncommon. They are impossible to send by email, and even carrying them on USB sticks or uploading to cloud storage can require long download times, making instant sharing impractical.

The second challenge is that specialized software or high-performance PC environments are required for viewing. To display and manipulate point cloud data in 3D you need CAD software or a dedicated viewer, which can be paid, and may require time-consuming installation and setup. Smoothly handling point clouds at the scale of tens of millions of points also requires high graphics performance on the PC, and not all site stakeholders have such environments. As a result, detailed point cloud data often remains with the person in charge and is frequently not shared with clients or remote team members. Distributing static screenshots or videos instead of the actual data prevents recipients from freely viewing and measuring in 3D, so the intrinsic value of the point cloud is not fully conveyed. This halves the effectiveness of collaborative work using point clouds.

Thus, traditional methods impose many constraints on sharing and collaborating with point cloud data. Next, let’s look in detail at what changes with “point cloud cloud collaboration.”

Point cloud collaboration expanded by the cloud

The key to solving the above issues is the use of the cloud. If point cloud data acquired on site is uploaded to the cloud and managed centrally, you can build an environment where multiple stakeholders can share data and perform collaborative work regardless of location. New types of point cloud collaboration enabled by the cloud include the following features:

• View and operate from anywhere: Even very large point cloud datasets can be placed on the cloud and accessed from anywhere via the internet. You only need a web browser—no specialized software installation—so you can view 3D point clouds from office PCs as well as tablets and smartphones. Supervisors and clients in distant offices can grasp detailed on-site conditions in real time from their own devices.

• Multiple people share the latest data simultaneously: By consolidating point cloud data in the cloud, the entire team can always reference the same up-to-date data. When someone uploads new measurement data, it is immediately reflected in everyone’s environment, reducing errors based on outdated versions. There is no need to repeatedly email files, and centralized project data management prevents confusion about “which is the latest version.” This enables truly real-time collaboration.

• Share rich additional information: Cloud 3D viewers can share not only the point cloud itself but also overlay drawings or BIM models, and view 360-degree site photos linked to each point, recreating all on-site information in a virtual space. Stakeholders can experience the 3D space as if walking the site from the office, making it easier to share situational awareness and reducing communication loss. Some services also provide tools to measure distances and areas in the viewer or leave comments on points of interest, enabling efficient remote discussion about the site.

• No need for high-performance PCs or software: Because point cloud rendering and processing are performed on the cloud, end-user devices do not need high specs. Data on the scale of tens of millions of points can be rendered on servers and streamed, allowing office laptops or tablets to handle 3D point clouds smoothly. This eliminates the need to provide expensive workstations or purchase multiple software licenses, significantly reducing implementation costs and effort.

Many services also allow setting passwords or expiration dates for shareable URLs, enabling secure management of sensitive data.

By leveraging the cloud in this way, point cloud data transforms from mere large files into live information that can be shared in real time. When site personnel and remote engineers can discuss using the same 3D model, decision-making speeds increase dramatically and mistakes and rework are reduced. The cloud has become more than just storage; it is beginning to function as an information hub connecting the site, the office, clients, and subcontractors.

Benefits of introducing point cloud cloud collaboration

So what are the concrete benefits of sharing point cloud data on the cloud and enabling collaborative work? Here are the main advantages of using the cloud:

• Faster information sharing: Because the latest site conditions can be shared via the cloud immediately, the time lag between the site and office is drastically reduced. For example, a point cloud scanned in the morning can be checked by design staff in the afternoon, allowing on-the-day decisions. Faster decision-making directly contributes to shorter schedules and cost reductions.

• Smoother communication: Visual and intuitive sharing through 3D point clouds enables remote stakeholders to be in a state of “seeing the same thing.” Details that are hard to convey in drawings or photos can be shared accurately, reducing misunderstandings and communication errors, and making stakeholder interactions smoother.

• Improved productivity and quality: Real-time collaboration based on up-to-date site data enables early detection and correction of issues. This prevents rework and construction errors, improving overall project productivity. Working from the latest data also enhances the accuracy of quality control and completion inspections.

• Cost reduction: Cloud collaboration brings various cost savings. Reduced travel and business trips for remote meetings save transportation costs and time. Centralized data management reduces errors and rework, cutting material and labor waste. Not having to equip every person with expensive PCs or specialized software licenses also lowers IT investment costs.

• Enhanced safety: While point cloud measurement itself allows non-contact data collection in hazardous areas, sharing that data via the cloud means people do not need to visit dangerous locations to check conditions. Remote confirmation and analysis of high or disaster-affected areas helps secure worker safety.

In sum, introducing cloud-based point cloud collaboration not only streamlines data sharing but delivers multifaceted benefits—speed, quality, and safety improvements to project operations. This is an effective approach that contributes to the MLIT’s advocated productivity revolution and the realization of on-site DX.

Ways to utilize point cloud cloud collaboration

When point cloud data can be shared on the cloud, various innovative changes occur in site workflows. The following are practical ways to use cloud point clouds:

• Remote inspections and remote meetings: You can check construction progress and workmanship from the office without visiting the site. Using cloud point cloud data, all stakeholders—including clients and subcontractors—can meet from their respective locations and discuss the same 3D as-built. Even when on-site meetings are difficult, virtually sharing the site enables smooth discussion and consensus building.

• Feedback to design and construction planning: By overlaying acquired point clouds with design drawings or CIM models and comparing them, discrepancies between design and site can be detected quickly. For example, you can check finished shapes by comparing point clouds of excavated terrain with the design model, or overlay point clouds of existing structures with new designs to verify no interferences. Sharing 3D information on the cloud while stakeholders provide input allows plan revisions to be carried out quickly and accurately.

• Monitor construction progress: By periodically scanning the site and accumulating point cloud data, you can manage construction progress as a 3D timeline. Comparing past and latest point clouds on the cloud lets you instantly grasp the progress and volume of work. Project managers can track the latest status remotely and adjust resource allocation or schedules as needed. If a section is falling behind, they can promptly decide on additional staffing or schedule adjustments to prevent delays.

• Rapid situational assessment in disasters and accidents: If a collapse or natural disaster occurs on site, you can quickly scan the area with drones or portable scanners and share the point cloud data in the cloud so all stakeholders can immediately assess the situation. Even if access to the damaged area is difficult, point clouds allow detailed analysis from a safe location. For example, comparing pre- and post-collapse terrain point clouds enables instant calculation of lost soil volume and rapid formulation of restoration plans.

Cloud-shared point cloud data can be used in all aspects of site management, enabling flexible and efficient collaboration not possible before. It feels like "broadcasting the site into a virtual space" in real time, creating new workflows that overcome distance and time barriers. There is no doubt that such cloud point cloud collaboration will become the new norm on site going forward.

Start site DX with simple surveying using LRTK

To take advantage of cloud-based point cloud workflows, it is important first to establish a system that smoothly acquires high-accuracy 3D data and uploads it to the cloud. Hearing “high-accuracy point cloud measurement” may make some assume expensive equipment and specialist skills are required. This is where the solution called LRTK (pronounced "L-R-T-K"), which combines smartphones and the cloud to enable anyone to perform high-accuracy surveying easily, deserves attention.

Simple surveying using LRTK is a new surveying style that achieves centimeter-level position measurement and point cloud acquisition by using a compact high-precision GNSS receiver attached to a smartphone and a dedicated app. Without the need to prepare costly dedicated equipment, you can record precise 3D site data with just a smartphone and complete cloud sharing in real time. Survey work that used to require multiple specialist operators can be done safely and efficiently by a single person using this system, promising dramatic efficiency gains compared to traditional methods centered on field notebooks and manual work.

By using an LRTK solution that combines ease of use with high accuracy, you can speedily obtain, share, and utilize point cloud data. As a powerful helper for site DX, LRTK makes it feasible for sites taking their first steps into point cloud use to adopt it without difficulty. Consider starting easily with simple surveying using LRTK.

FAQ

Q. What is point cloud data? A. Point cloud data is an aggregate of many three-dimensional coordinate points obtained by laser measurement or photogrammetry. It is digital data that represents the shape of an object with countless points, and when displayed with dedicated software it can be visualized as a lifelike 3D model.

Q. What are the benefits of sharing and collaborating on point cloud data in the cloud? A. Placing large point cloud files in the cloud allows them to be viewed from anywhere over the network. Multiple people can simultaneously check the latest data, and viewing and measurement are possible in a browser without specialized software. Centralized data management reduces miscommunication and enables smooth collaboration with remote parties.

Q. How can I share on-site point clouds in real time? A. The key is to establish an environment where point cloud data acquired on site can be uploaded to the cloud as quickly as possible. For example, using a point cloud measurement app on a smartphone or tablet to send data directly to the cloud enables the office side to view it immediately. If the network is unstable, you can minimize lag by uploading quickly afterward via portable Wi‑Fi or similar.

Q. Does introducing point cloud technology require large costs or specialized knowledge? A. The barriers to entry for point cloud adoption have significantly lowered compared to before. Measurement equipment prices have become more affordable, and inexpensive 3D scanners and GNSS terminals compatible with smartphones have appeared. Cloud services have also made software more intuitive. Vendors and local governments provide training and support, making it possible to learn gradually without specialist knowledge. It is recommended to start with a small-scale implementation to experience the benefits before expanding.

Q. Can people who are not good with ICT or veteran workers master these tools? A. Yes. Modern point cloud tools are designed to be easy for anyone on site to use. You can follow on-screen prompts, and advanced PC skills are not required. There may be an initial adjustment period, but with training and support users can become proficient in a short time. Combining veteran field experience with digital tools can make that experience even more valuable, so veterans may be among those who appreciate the convenience most.

Q. What is simple surveying using LRTK? A. Simple surveying using LRTK is a new surveying method that attaches a compact high-precision GNSS to a smartphone. It enables centimeter-level positioning (half-inch-level) without dedicated equipment, and the obtained position information and point cloud data can be shared to the cloud in real time. Because one person can perform high-accuracy surveying and recording in a short time, it greatly streamlines traditional notebook- and labor-centered surveying.