Share point cloud data with coordinates instantly in the cloud: Team collaboration and efficiency enabled by LRTK

Table of contents

• What is georeferenced point cloud data?

• Challenges of sharing point cloud data

• Benefits of instant sharing via the cloud

• Team collaboration and efficiency enabled by LRTK

• Recommendations for simple surveying with LRTK

• FAQ

In recent years, 3D measurement technologies using drones and smartphone-mounted LiDAR sensors have become widespread, and the use of georeferenced point cloud data acquired on site is rapidly expanding. In civil engineering and construction, point clouds—digital “collections of points” that can record terrain and structures in full—are becoming indispensable information resources for design, construction management, and maintenance. However, conventional methods for sharing such detailed 3D data within teams have posed many challenges—large file transfers, the need to prepare specialized software, and so on—which have hindered smooth information sharing between the field and the office.

One promising solution to these challenges is to upload point cloud data to the cloud and share it instantly. By sharing a link over the Internet, the latest 3D data can be inspected from remote locations, significantly reducing the time and effort previously required. This article explains what georeferenced point cloud data is, outlines the challenges of sharing point cloud data, and describes the benefits of instant cloud sharing. It also provides concrete examples of how our platform, LRTK, can strengthen team collaboration and improve operational efficiency. Finally, we introduce simple surveying with LRTK that enables anyone to easily perform 3D surveying and share point cloud data.

What is georeferenced point cloud data?

A point cloud is three-dimensional data composed of countless points obtained by laser scanners or photogrammetry. Each point that makes up the surface of an object or terrain contains X, Y, and Z coordinate values, and the collection of these points can reproduce the shape of real space in detail. In particular, “georeferenced point cloud data” refers to point clouds that have accurate positional information (coordinates) added by a positioning system. For example, by using satellite positioning technologies such as RTK-GNSS, absolute geospatial coordinates (latitude/longitude or projected coordinates) can be assigned to the point cloud data. Point clouds with such high-precision positional information are also called georeferenced point clouds (spatially referenced point clouds), and their major strength lies in how easily they can be integrated with other geospatial information and design data.

Georeferenced point cloud data is highly valued because its precise positional information enables a wide range of applications. For example, on construction sites, recording pre- and post-construction terrain as point clouds and comparing them can be used to calculate earthwork volumes and manage as-built conditions. In infrastructure inspections, regularly acquired point clouds can be overlaid to visualize the progression of deterioration or deformation, and the alignment of railways or roads can be measured based on coordinates to detect distortions or settlement. As such, georeferenced point cloud data is a reliable digital record of the field and provides detailed information that cannot be obtained from drawings or photographs.

However, even if high-resolution georeferenced point clouds are obtained, they are meaningless unless shared smoothly within the team. The next section summarizes the traditional challenges of sharing point cloud data.

Challenges of sharing point cloud data

Three-dimensional point cloud data is extremely information-rich, but there have been many barriers to its sharing. Large file sizes and the need for specialized viewing environments have often prevented timely sharing of acquired data with team members who are not on site. Major challenges include the following:

• Data volumes are enormous: Point cloud data can range from several GB to hundreds of GB, making email attachments impractical. Copying to physical HDDs or USB drives and shipping or carrying them also takes time, causing delays with each handover.

• Handover effort and risk: Copying data onto external media for sending and receiving involves effort and cost, and carries risks such as data loss or damage during transport and loading issues at the recipient’s end. Until the data is received, detailed field information cannot be shared, causing communication lags.

• Specialized software and high-performance PCs required: Displaying and manipulating 3D point clouds often requires specialized viewer software or workstation-class PCs, meaning not all stakeholders can casually view the data. The need to install software and prepare hardware has been a barrier to information sharing.

• Difficulty collaborating across remote sites: When exchanging point cloud data between distant locations, network transfers can take a long time, and compatibility issues due to differing file formats often arise. As a result, by the time the latest field information reaches other sites, a time lag has occurred, preventing timely discussions and decisions.

As described above, conventional methods of sharing point cloud data involve various inefficiencies. Detailed 3D information gathered by field personnel becomes wasted if not shared in a timely manner. So how can these issues be solved? One answer is the instant cloud sharing described next.

Benefits of instant sharing via the cloud

Many of the challenges mentioned above can be resolved at once by using cloud services to centrally manage point cloud data. By uploading point cloud data acquired in the field to cloud storage and sharing the URL with stakeholders, anyone can access the same up-to-date 3D data from remote locations. There is no need to provide expensive specialized software or special high-performance PCs; even a standard PC or tablet web browser can smoothly display and view large point cloud files.

Uploading data to the cloud can also drastically shorten the time lag that used to occur between the field and the office. For example, if field scans are synchronized to the cloud immediately after acquisition, office staff and members at other sites can view the 3D data in real time. This enables discovering inconsistencies with drawings on the spot and directing additional surveys, or deciding whether design changes are necessary the same day—leading to faster decision-making. The main benefits of cloud sharing are summarized below:

• Access anytime, anywhere: With an Internet connection, internal and external stakeholders alike can access point cloud data via a browser on a smartphone, tablet, or PC regardless of location. The latest field conditions can be shared as 3D models from business trips or home, preventing information gaps when working remotely.

• No specialized software or high-performance equipment required: Heavy processing is done on the cloud side, so the client device can be a standard-spec PC or tablet. No troublesome software installations are necessary; large point clouds can be smoothly displayed and measured in a browser. The ease with which everyone can handle 3D data on their own devices is a major advantage.

• Real-time sharing enables rapid decision-making: If the latest point clouds from the field are uploaded to the cloud immediately, remote members can grasp the situation in real time. Early detection of inconsistencies and on-the-spot instructions for design changes help avoid rework and dramatically speed up project decisions.

• Accumulation and utilization of data history: If point cloud data are accumulated in the cloud in chronological order, point cloud models from before and after construction or from periodic inspections can be easily compared later. For example, tracking the progression of cracks or deformation over time in 3D, or calculating accurate earthwork volumes from pre- and post-construction terrain differences, supports long-term maintenance and quality management.

• Easy distribution of large data: Large point cloud files can be shared via cloud links without email attachments or USB handovers. Recipients can view files directly in the cloud without saving them to their PCs, avoiding concerns about insufficient storage or file management burdens.

As described above, using the cloud greatly lowers the barriers to sharing georeferenced point cloud data, enabling geographically dispersed teams to smoothly share 3D information. So what specific features does LRTK offer to realize this kind of cloud sharing?

Team collaboration and efficiency enabled by LRTK

One solution that meets the above point cloud sharing needs is our LRTK Cloud. LRTK Cloud is an integrated platform that makes it easy to upload, share, and view point cloud data acquired by the LRTK series, including smartphone surveying devices. There is no need to install dedicated software on a PC; synchronizing field-measured data to the cloud will display high-resolution 3D point clouds in a web browser. If you share the issued URL with stakeholders, you can collaborate with partners both inside and outside your company while viewing the same data.

Major features and characteristics of LRTK Cloud include:

• One-tap cloud sharing from the field: Point cloud data acquired in the field can be uploaded to LRTK Cloud with one tap from the dedicated smartphone app. There is no need to return to the office to copy data; you can issue a share link on the spot and distribute it to team members. This truly realizes “measure on site → share immediately.”

• 3D viewing in the browser: Uploaded point clouds are delivered via the cloud, and recipients can freely rotate and zoom the 3D model in a web browser even if they do not have a dedicated viewer. Because rendering on the cloud is optimized, large-scale point clouds can be displayed smoothly on general-purpose PCs.

• Measurement and commenting tools for remote collaboration: The viewer on LRTK Cloud includes tools to measure distances, areas, and volumes, allowing intuitive measurement of dimensions on the point cloud. Even without drawings on hand, necessary dimensions can be obtained in 3D for concrete instructions and verification between remote sites. There are also features for attaching comments to measurement points and sharing screenshots, facilitating smooth communication between the field and the office.

• AR display on tablets: Accessing LRTK Cloud from a field tablet allows AR (augmented reality) display that overlays the acquired point cloud on live camera footage. Because you can confirm the 3D point cloud model superimposed on the actual site footage, this helps check as-built conditions and visualize displacements on site. The ability to use such AR functions on common mobile devices without expensive special equipment is another advantage.

• End-to-end support from surveying to utilization: LRTK Cloud is an all-in-one platform that covers everything from point cloud acquisition (surveying) to data sharing and utilization. Point cloud data acquired in the field are automatically assigned high-precision position coordinates via RTK positioning, so they can be used as accurate 3D data immediately after upload. Centralized cloud management of data also avoids the traditional problem of data being scattered across internal file servers and individual PCs, which complicates management.

With these features, using LRTK Cloud allows real-time sharing of 3D data beyond geographic constraints, strengthening team collaboration and greatly improving operational efficiency.

Recommendations for simple surveying with LRTK

“You can share point clouds in the cloud, but can we actually do high-precision point cloud surveying ourselves?” Some may feel this way. Historically, 3D point cloud surveying required large laser scanners or outsourcing to specialized survey firms, so it seemed out of reach. Recently, however, simple point cloud surveying tools that significantly lower these barriers have emerged. A representative example is simple surveying with the LRTK series.

LRTK Phone is a small 3D surveying device that attaches to a smartphone and allows field personnel to obtain point cloud data with centimeter-level accuracy (half-inch accuracy) just by walking around with the phone. By combining the smartphone’s built-in LiDAR scanner and a GNSS receiver, it achieves accuracy comparable to dedicated surveying instruments. Because acquired point cloud data are automatically aligned in real time, you can check measured distances and volumes while walking. It is revolutionary that 3D measurement, which used to require experienced surveyors and large equipment, can now be completed with just a smartphone and a palm-sized device.

The LRTK series also includes a variety of devices to choose from depending on use case. There are lightweight, fixed-type 3D scanners and tablet-integrated positioning and measurement devices, allowing optimal point cloud acquisition methods depending on field needs. Compared to traditional large equipment, the LRTK lineup has lower introduction costs and simpler operation, making 3D surveying practical even for small- to medium-sized sites that previously gave up on point cloud utilization. Combined with the aforementioned LRTK Cloud, point cloud data acquired on site can be shared instantly via the cloud, enabling meetings while viewing the same 3D model from remote locations and on-site checks by overlaying models on live footage using tablet AR—seamlessly connecting surveying, data sharing, and utilization.

By using the LRTK series, anyone can easily incorporate high-precision georeferenced point cloud data measurement and sharing into daily operations without specialized personnel or expensive equipment. If you are considering utilizing point cloud data in your company, please check the official LRTK information. Case studies of on-site DX (digital transformation) using LRTK, detailed device information, and implementation plans are published and should provide useful hints for improving your operations. The LRTK series supports the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism’s *i-Construction* initiative and is a cutting-edge technology that strongly promotes field DX in the construction and civil engineering industries. It will continue to contribute to improving on-site productivity and reducing errors.

FAQ

• What is point cloud data? Point cloud data are three-dimensional datasets composed of countless points obtained by laser measurement or photogrammetry. They are digital data representing the shape of an object with numerous points, each containing X, Y, and Z coordinate values (positional information). They can record complex shapes that are difficult to capture with the naked eye or photographs in detail.

• What is georeferenced point cloud data? This refers to point cloud data to which clear positional reference coordinates have been added. For example, by measuring while using RTK-GNSS, you can assign real-world coordinates to the entire point cloud. Georeferenced point cloud data can be easily overlaid with maps or CAD drawings and used directly in design and construction as survey deliverables.

• What are the benefits of sharing point cloud data via the cloud? The main benefit is that anyone can view the latest 3D point cloud anytime, anywhere via the Internet. Without using physical media, multiple sites can share data so that all stakeholders have the same information in real time. This enables quick progress reporting and design revision instructions from the field, helping to prevent construction errors and speeding up decision-making.

• How can point cloud data be shared between remote sites? If each site has devices with Internet access and a browser, anyone can access the point cloud data in the cloud. Without preparing dedicated software, simply sending a URL link allows remote parties to easily display and confirm the same 3D data. Combining this with online meetings enables location-independent field discussions.

• Are point cloud data stored in the cloud safe? Yes—if you use a reliable cloud service, data can be stored securely. Many cloud services offer encrypted communication, access control settings, and regular backups, ensuring that only authorized users can view the data. Compared to on-premises server management, cloud storage can also reduce the risk of data loss in the event of large-scale disasters.

• What kind of surveying tool is LRTK? LRTK is a solution centered on small positioning and measurement devices that attach to a smartphone, and its main feature is enabling anyone to easily perform centimeter-level 3D surveying. Georeferenced point cloud data measured in the field are automatically synchronized to LRTK Cloud and can be immediately displayed in 3D in a browser and measured for distance and area. It eliminates the complex data processing previously required and is a revolutionary tool that dramatically improves situational awareness and data sharing on site.