Table of Contents

• Basics of point clouds and the cloud

• Challenges of traditional point cloud use

• Examples of collaborative point cloud work via the cloud

• Benefits of cloud use (cost reduction, efficiency, reduced manpower)

• Tips for reliable cloud operations in collaborative work

• Introduction to simple surveying using LRTK

• FAQ

Basics of point clouds and the cloud

"Point cloud data" refers to 3D data composed of countless points acquired by devices such as laser scanners or photogrammetry. Each point contains coordinates (X, Y, Z) in real space and color information; when displayed on a computer, the collection of points recreates a lifelike three-dimensional space. Even complex shapes that cannot be measured from photos or 2D drawings can be captured and digitally preserved by dense point clouds, which is a major advantage. Recently, point cloud data has begun to attract attention in construction and civil engineering sites. This trend is driven by the spread of drones and fixed 3D laser scanners, as well as the emergence of new, easy-to-use measurement technologies such as smartphones with LiDAR functions. In addition, construction DX policies promoted by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism—such as the "i-Construction" initiative—are supporting this shift, and point cloud data is expected to play a key role in on-site digitization.

So what is the "cloud"? The cloud refers to a service model in which data is stored and processed on internet servers and can be accessed as needed over the network. If you place data on the cloud, you do not need to keep large files on your local PC, and the same data can be accessed from anywhere as long as you have a network connection. With the recent development of high-speed communication networks and diversification of services, managing business data in the cloud has become commonplace. Data like point clouds, which are large in file size and require specialized software, are particularly well suited to the cloud. By leveraging the cloud, even heavy 3D data can be easily shared and viewed, or high-performance processing can be performed remotely. In other words, by combining point clouds and the cloud, you can establish an environment in which all stakeholders can handle 3D data beyond the constraints of location or hardware.

Challenges of traditional point cloud use

Point cloud data is a valuable resource that can faithfully record on-site detail, but its practical use has traditionally faced several challenges. The first barrier is the large data size. High-precision point clouds can contain millions to hundreds of millions of points, and file sizes of hundreds of MB to several GB are not uncommon. Sending such files as email attachments is impossible, and transferring them by USB memory or external hard drive is cumbersome. Even uploading to cloud storage requires the recipient to download huge files, which can result in significant time loss depending on the network environment.

The second challenge is that point clouds often require specialized software and high-performance PCs. Point cloud data cannot be opened by just double-clicking like a typical image or PDF. Displaying and manipulating 3D point clouds requires compatible viewer or CAD software, and a PC with high rendering performance is needed for smooth operation. Not all stakeholders—such as field technicians or clients—necessarily have such software or hardware, so situations often arise where "even though point clouds were acquired, the people you want to share with cannot open them." In some cases, a makeshift solution is to convert 3D data into 2D still images or videos for distribution so recipients can at least view the results. However, still images and videos do not allow recipients to freely measure or change viewpoints, so they cannot fully convey the intrinsic value of point clouds. As a result, the goal of sharing detailed 3D data to align on-site understanding may not be achieved, and communication can revert to relying on traditional drawings and photos.

Thus, when multiple people try to use point cloud data, the traditional process involved significant effort and constraints. Large file transfers, distributing specialized software and licenses, and preparing expensive equipment all created high hurdles for collaborative point cloud work.

Examples of collaborative point cloud work via the cloud

How can these challenges be solved? One answer is the use of the cloud. If point cloud data is placed on the cloud, the sharing barriers described above can be removed at once. Below are several examples of new on-site operations made possible by sharing and collaborating on point clouds in the cloud.

• Simplified inspection attendance: For post-construction as-built inspections, clients and supervisors traditionally had to travel to the site and attend in person, requiring everyone to gather at the same time. If point cloud data is shared on the cloud in advance, responsible personnel can check construction details from the office. This can reduce the number of on-site attendances and the time required, and in some cases replace parts of the on-site attendance with remote participation.

• Data sharing in internal meetings: In meetings where project stakeholders from multiple locations—such as site supervisors, designers, and head office managers—gather, a cloud-shared point cloud link is powerful. You can display a 3D point cloud in a browser on a meeting room screen and discuss the same location together. Situations that were difficult to convey with text or 2D drawings become easier to align among team members when realistic point clouds are shared, speeding up decision-making.

• Collaboration with remote locations: Distance is no longer a problem between rural construction sites and urban headquarters, or among distant branches, when cloud sharing is available. For example, if point clouds acquired on-site are uploaded immediately, experts in remote locations can view the data and provide advice. You can also centrally manage multiple site data in the cloud and have headquarters overview the progress of each site. The ability for needed personnel to access the latest on-site 3D information at the right time without travel time or business trip costs is a major benefit.

Furthermore, accumulating point cloud data in the cloud helps with centralized management of construction records. You can look back in chronological order to check "what the site looked like at that time," which is useful for keeping evidence of progress and sharing recognition among stakeholders. For example, a road construction project adopted an operation in which the site was scanned and point cloud data was shared in the cloud at the completion of each process. Previously, the client needed to attend the site each time for as-built confirmation, but by sharing point clouds sequentially, remote parties could identify and correct problematic areas, and the final inspection was completed smoothly. In this way, cloud-based point cloud sharing is increasingly contributing to reduced rework on site and smoother communication.

Benefits of cloud use (cost reduction, efficiency, reduced manpower)

Cloud-based collaborative point cloud work brings various benefits to projects. Below, we organize the advantages from the particularly important perspectives of cost reduction, operational efficiency, and reduced manpower.

• Cost reduction: One of the biggest financial advantages of using the cloud is that you no longer need to provide licenses for specialized software to all stakeholders or deploy high-performance workstations at every location. If a shared link is sufficient for viewing, recipients can generally use a free standard web browser on their existing PC or tablet. Remote data checks also reduce unnecessary business trips and on-site inspections, cutting travel and labor costs. Moreover, if point cloud data enables early detection and correction of defects, it can prevent later rework and additional costs.

• Operational efficiency: The speed of information sharing and communication improves dramatically. If data is uploaded to the cloud, office staff can start data processing and review immediately after on-site measurement, enabling parallel work. Traditionally, it could take days to bring measurement data back from the field, process and publish it, but with the cloud, almost all stakeholders can refer to the latest data in near real time. This accelerates decision-making, shortens meeting times, and simplifies report creation, greatly improving coordination between field and office. Data uploaded once can be reused repeatedly, reducing the waste of repeated measurements. Intuitive visual data reduces communication loss and transmission errors, boosting overall project productivity.

• Reduced manpower (labor-saving): Amid chronic labor shortages, using the cloud together with point clouds contributes to "operating with fewer people." For example, if simple point cloud measurement tools enable on-site staff to perform measurements that previously required specialist surveyors, the burden on specialists can be eased. Since measurement results are shared in the cloud, stakeholders no longer need to individually visit the site. This makes it easier for limited personnel to handle multiple sites and enables smarter operations without relying on manpower-intensive tactics. Reducing dangerous on-site tasks and enabling safe monitoring from the office are additional benefits for both labor saving and safety improvement. Point clouds plus the cloud are a powerful ally for maintaining and improving work quality even when manpower or skills are scarce.

Tips for reliable cloud operations in collaborative work

While using the cloud for collaboration has many advantages, operational measures are important to maximize its effects. Here are some tips to smoothly share point cloud data in the cloud.

• Choose an appropriate cloud service: First, select a cloud platform suitable for handling point cloud data. Ideally, choose a service that allows you to directly display and manipulate 3D point clouds in a browser rather than just online storage. Services that support point cloud compression and streaming display enable smooth collaborative viewing even for large datasets. Check whether the platform includes specialized analysis tools, commenting features, and other functions necessary for your project.

• Organize data and manage it centrally: Create shared folders or workspaces by project on the cloud and manage related point cloud data, photos, and drawings together. Separating folders by measurement date or location and adding clear information to file names help project participants find the data they need without confusion. Maintain the practice that the latest data is always on the cloud to prevent members from referring to outdated local copies. Such practices avoid confusion.

• Access rights and security settings: When sharing on the cloud, appropriately manage access rights for each dataset. For internal use, allow editing and downloading as needed, while restricting external share links to view-only; set permissions according to the recipient. If possible, use passwords and expiration dates for shared links to prevent unauthorized viewing if a link becomes known to third parties. Establish security rules such as removing access for members who leave the project and invalidating unnecessary shared links. While cloud providers handle encryption and general safety measures, users should also maintain basic security awareness in their operations.

• Improve on-site communication environment: To upload point cloud data immediately from the field, a stable network connection is essential. Provide high-speed communication options such as Wi‑Fi routers or 5G so large datasets can sync quickly. In areas with poor reception—mountainous or underground locations—temporarily save to a PC and upload later from the office. To avoid disruption of collaborative work due to communication trouble, consider backup communication options (such as spare mobile routers or multiple carrier connections).

• Inform and train the team: When introducing new cloud tools, thoroughly inform the entire team about how to use them and the operational rules. High IT skills are not required—simple demonstrations of opening a browser URL, changing viewpoints, and making measurements are often enough for most people to get the hang of it. The important point is to avoid members who "don't use it because they don't understand." From field staff to management, ensure everyone can access and use the data by providing initial support and training time. Pilot the system on a small project to identify issues and incorporate team feedback before full deployment.

Introduction to simple surveying using LRTK

When discussing cloud-based collaborative point cloud work, an essential perspective is how to make on-site point cloud acquisition as easy as possible. The latest solution, LRTK, provides a revolutionary approach in this regard. LRTK is an integrated solution that enables high-precision surveying and point cloud measurement with centimeter-level accuracy (half-inch accuracy) using a smartphone, so 3D measurement can be completed with just a smartphone instead of large laser scanners or surveying equipment. It consists of an intuitive dedicated app that can be used without specialist knowledge and a palm-sized positioning device that attaches to an iPhone, allowing on-site personnel to quickly capture point clouds on the spot.

Using LRTK, acquired data is synced to the cloud immediately. Point clouds and location information captured on a smartphone are uploaded directly to the cloud, eliminating the need to return to the office and copy files to a PC. With a suitable network environment, a few minutes after pressing the measurement button in the field, colleagues in the office or clients can view the point cloud data via a browser. The cloud also automatically backs up data, minimizing the risk of data loss due to device loss or failure. The seamless flow from on-site measurement to cloud sharing dramatically increases the speed of point cloud utilization.

LRTK also supports the use of AR (augmented reality) technology. Through a smartphone screen, you can overlay acquired point cloud data or design models onto the real scenery. For example, you can display a 3D model of a planned structure on the scanned terrain to check the completed appearance on site. Positioning is performed automatically, so you can project 3D data onto "the expected location" on the smartphone screen without tape measures or reference marks. This function enables intuitive visual checks of construction accuracy and as-built confirmation. By merging real space and digital data through AR, alignment of understanding and consensus building among stakeholders becomes smoother.

LRTK’s features are also powerful in disaster response and construction management. Immediately after a disaster, rapid situational awareness and information sharing are critical. With LRTK, you can walk around a disaster site with a smartphone, scan point clouds, and upload them to the cloud in real time. Headquarters and remote experts can instantly view the 3D data, enabling swift planning of rescue and recovery operations and rapid assessment of damage. Point clouds can detail complex collapsed terrain or structures, aiding later verification and reporting.

In everyday construction management, LRTK is also useful. Even on small sites, regularly recording progress in 3D ensures reliable progress management and process checks. For example, in excavation work, converting the pre- and post-excavation terrain into point clouds with LRTK enables volume calculations and shape checks at each stage. Decisions that previously relied on experienced technicians can be replaced by quantitative evaluations based on 3D data, improving quality and reducing waste. Sharing progress data with clients and designers on the cloud allows remote monitoring and guidance to prevent rework and errors.

Thus, LRTK simplifies the entire workflow from point cloud acquisition to sharing and utilization, offering a major step toward on-site DX. 3D surveying using smartphones and the cloud contributes to projects with a speed and cost performance that overturn conventional wisdom. Point cloud technology, which previously required expensive equipment and specialist skills, is becoming accessible to everyone through LRTK. If you are facing challenges in adopting point cloud workflows, consider introducing LRTK. This solution simultaneously achieves labor saving, efficiency, and high precision, helping update on-site “business as usual” and move toward the next generation of construction practices.

FAQ

Q: Do I need special software to view point cloud data on the cloud? A: No, you do not. Shared point cloud data can be viewed by opening it in common web browsers such as Chrome or Safari. Whether on a PC or tablet, recipients do not need to install dedicated viewer software or apps. There is no need to obtain permission to install software on corporate PCs—the recipient simply clicks the provided URL link to view the 3D data.

Q: Do recipients need an LRTK account or license to view data? A: No. People who receive a shared link can view data without special account registration or a paid license. As long as they have the link, anyone can access the specified point cloud data via cloud sharing (※for security, if a password is set, the password must be communicated separately along with the link).

Q: Is the security of confidential data entrusted to the cloud safe? A: Many point cloud cloud services, including the LRTK cloud, encrypt the communication path and implement strict security measures on their servers. Shared URLs can be protected with viewing passwords and expiration dates, so even if a link becomes known to a third party, unauthorized access can be prevented. Data providers can also invalidate or delete shared links, reducing the risk of accidentally continuing to share with others. Project spaces for internal use can restrict viewing permissions to internal members only, and you can flexibly share only parts of data with external parties.

Q: Can I view 3D point clouds from smartphones or tablets? A: Yes, mobile devices are supported. Shared links can be opened in a smartphone or tablet browser, allowing you to check point cloud data from the field using your device. You can move viewpoints with swipes and zoom with pinch gestures—intuitive mobile UI lets you freely navigate 3D space. However, handling large datasets over mobile networks can consume significant data, so using Wi‑Fi as needed will provide a more comfortable experience.

Q: Can I measure distances or write comments on shared data? A: Yes. Cloud viewer interfaces include tools to measure distances and elevation differences, allowing recipients to directly check dimensions of areas of concern. Some services also let you place pins and leave comments (annotations) at arbitrary points in the point cloud. For example, you can write a note like "Please reconsider the junction detail here" in 3D space and share it with stakeholders. These measurement and comment features make cloud point clouds a two-way communication tool, not just a viewing medium. Note that when viewers measure or comment, the original point cloud data is not altered. The master copy remains stored in the provider's cloud, and recipients are given view/annotation permissions only.

Q: Can I overlay point cloud data or design models in AR on my smartphone? A: Yes. With LRTK, acquired point cloud data and BIM/CIM models can be projected into real space using a smartphone's AR functionality. For example, you can display a building model on an empty lot to check the post-construction appearance, or overlay design drawings on an existing structure's point cloud to check installation deviations. LRTK devices provide high-precision GNSS for automatic alignment, so 3D objects are displayed to scale and in the correct position in AR. Carrying a tablet on site and intuitively showing "what will be here in the future" is useful for explanations to clients or neighbors and for aligning understanding among workers.

Q: What do I need to use LRTK? A: To start using LRTK, you only need a compatible iPhone and the dedicated small positioning device. iPhone models equipped with LiDAR sensors enable higher-precision point cloud measurement, but even models without LiDAR can perform surveys with GNSS positioning. The LRTK device ("LRTK Phone") is a palm-sized unit that attaches to an iPhone and contains a high-precision GNSS receiver, antenna, and battery. Install the dedicated app on your smartphone and connect to the device, and you can immediately begin centimeter-level accuracy (half-inch accuracy) positioning and point cloud scanning. The cloud service for storing acquired data is included, and issuing a shared link by uploading point clouds can be completed on the smartphone. Compared to conventional surveying equipment, LRTK is overwhelmingly more portable and simple to set up, so you can increase the number of units across sites and build an environment where "anyone can immediately perform measurements like a surveyor."