Anyone Can Do It Easily! The Browser Point Cloud Viewer LRTK You Can Use Right Now Is Changing Surveying Sites

With advances in 3D measurement technology, the use of point cloud data is attracting attention in surveying work. However, until now, expensive equipment and specialized software were required, and the barrier to handling 3D data was by no means low. Into this scene comes the browser-based point cloud viewer LRTK, which requires no installation and can be used immediately from a browser, ushering in an era in which anyone can easily handle 3D surveying data. This article explains the challenges faced by those involved in surveying work and the innovative features of LRTK, and introduces the changes this new tool brings to the field.

Table of Contents

• Challenges faced by people involved in surveying work

• No installation required! Features of the browser point cloud viewer LRTK

• Changes LRTK brings to surveying sites

• Conclusion: Simple surveying anyone can do with LRTK

• FAQ

Challenges faced by people involved in surveying work

On sites that carry out advanced surveying and construction management, accurate acquisition and utilization of 3D information are required. Point cloud data—the collection of countless 3D points obtained by laser measurement or photogrammetry—can record terrain undulations and the shapes of structures in detail and is useful in many situations such as design verification, volume calculations, and safety checks. However, there have been several challenges in acquiring and using such data.

First, conventional 3D measurement required expensive dedicated equipment and skilled technicians. For example, terrestrial laser scanners and drone-based photogrammetry can produce precise point clouds, but equipment costs are very high, and operation and data processing require specialized skills. In addition, measurements with these large devices often require multiple-person teams and take time, placing a burden in terms of labor shortages and work efficiency.

Furthermore, the difficulty of processing and sharing acquired point cloud data cannot be ignored. Point cloud files are often enormous in size and cannot be handled smoothly without high-performance computers and specialized software, so it has been common to bring data back to the office for processing and analysis. As a result, there was a time lag from measurement to sharing results, which hindered rapid decision-making. Handing data to stakeholders often required using external storage or converting to still images for reporting, meaning the valuable 3D information could not be fully shared and utilized.

In response to this situation, and amid industry-wide calls for ICT utilization and on-site DX promoted by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism through initiatives such as *i-Construction*, there has been a strong demand for new technologies that can be easily used on-site.

No installation required! Features of the browser point cloud viewer LRTK

An attention-grabbing solution to these challenges is the browser-based point cloud viewer LRTK that requires no installation. LRTK, developed by a startup originating from the Tokyo Institute of Technology, consists of a small positioning device that attaches to a smartphone and a cloud service. It’s an innovative surveying system that enables acquisition of high-accuracy point cloud data with position information without special equipment, and immediate display and sharing in the cloud. The device is pocket-sized at about 165 g and approximately 1 cm (0.4 in) thick, yet it houses a high-precision GNSS antenna, an RTK receiver, and a battery, and when attached to a smartphone it achieves centimeter-level positioning (half-inch accuracy). Because the introduction cost is lower than conventional surveying instruments, operating with one tool per person has become realistic. Here are LRTK’s main features.

• No software required, ready to use immediately: LRTK Cloud runs in a web browser, so no software installation on PCs is required. From tablets on-site to PCs in the office, as long as there is an internet connection you can immediately display 3D point cloud data. Large-scale point cloud processing is done on the cloud side, so you can view smoothly even without a high-performance PC. There is no stress of launching heavy dedicated software, and any device in the company can access the latest data.

• Easy point cloud measurement with a smartphone: By attaching the dedicated small GNSS receiver (RTK-capable) to a smartphone and using the LRTK app, anyone can easily perform point cloud scanning. LRTK also supports point cloud generation from captured images for phones without LiDAR, making it usable on a wide range of devices. By combining high-precision positioning functions with the smartphone’s built-in LiDAR or camera, complex terrain and structures can be measured simply by scanning with one hand. There is no need to set up a tripod; you can walk around the site as if shooting a video with your phone and obtain 3D data.

• High-precision 3D point clouds with absolute coordinates: LRTK always determines its position with centimeter-level positioning (half-inch accuracy) using real-time kinematic (RTK) positioning. Therefore, all point cloud data acquired with a smartphone are tagged with accurate position coordinates (absolute coordinates). In ordinary phone-only LiDAR scans, the resulting point cloud models may not correspond to real-world locations or may become distorted when walking around, but LRTK prevents such deviations. Multiple scans align perfectly without the need for manual registration, and acquired point clouds can be immediately compared with maps and design data.

• Rich 3D viewer functions: The browser-based 3D viewer allows intuitive manipulation of point cloud data. You can freely change the viewpoint with mouse or touch to get an overview of the entire site or zoom in to check details. Analysis tools are also abundant, including distance measurement between any two points, area measurement of polygonal regions, and volume calculation of regions enclosed on the ground surface. You can also place markers on point clouds and leave comments, enabling sharing of on-site observations and instructions in 3D. Because you can measure required dimensions and calculate quantities of embankment or excavation instantly from acquired point clouds on-site, there is no need to wait for additional calculation work.

• Cloud-based data sharing: All data measured with LRTK is automatically saved to cloud storage. Once a scan is finished on-site, data is synchronized from the smartphone to the cloud, so by the time you return to the office you can already check details on a PC. Point cloud data uploaded to the cloud can be viewed simply by sharing a link with stakeholders. Even if the recipient does not have specialized software, opening the sent URL in a browser launches the 3D viewer and anyone can view the data. You can set expiration dates and passwords on shared links for security. It’s also possible to display multiple point clouds and 3D design models simultaneously, enabling geographically dispersed team members to share common 3D information in real time.

By introducing LRTK, you can realize a new surveying workflow on-site of “quickly measuring it yourself, immediately checking it on the spot, and sharing it.” Next, let’s look at the concrete benefits these technological innovations bring to the field.

Changes LRTK brings to surveying sites

With the above features, LRTK brings various changes to surveying and construction management sites. First is a dramatic improvement in work efficiency. Surveying tasks that previously required several people and a full day can, in some cases, be completed by a single person in a short time using LRTK.

For example, compared to traditional methods that involved measuring dozens of heights to calculate the volume of a large embankment, LRTK can obtain a 3D model by quickly scanning the surroundings with a smartphone, and the volume is automatically calculated in the cloud. Time previously spent compiling survey results and producing drawings can be greatly reduced, allowing that time to be used for subsequent tasks.

Improved safety is another important benefit. Even in cases where measurements involved danger or late-night work, LRTK can collect the necessary data in a short time from relatively safe positions. For example, clearance measurements inside railway tunnels traditionally relied on night work after the last train, but with LRTK you can walk through and scan the tunnel during a short daytime window to safely obtain the required spatial dimensions. For high structures or steep slopes, a worker holding a smartphone can obtain the necessary point clouds by scanning from surrounding positions, reducing risks of erecting scaffolding or climbing high places. Measurements that used to be done at night on tracks might be completed quickly during quiet daytime hours.

LRTK also helps alleviate workforce shortages. Advanced 3D measurement that previously depended on experienced survey technicians can now be handled to a practical extent by many on-site personnel. Intuitive smartphone operation and automatic analysis allow new employees and staff outside the surveying specialty to obtain and use sufficiently accurate data, preventing work from concentrating on certain experts. This contributes to overall organizational productivity and is an effective countermeasure against future shortages of skilled technicians.

Moreover, the ability to accumulate detailed 3D data as records is important. Construction conditions that were once recorded on paper drawings or photographs can now be stored as precise digital point cloud records. This makes it possible to review and verify terrain changes before and after construction, or to recreate the site in 3D to analyze causes when trouble occurs. Centralized cloud management of on-site data reduces the effort to find past records and facilitates smoother information sharing.

LRTK can also be combined with drone-based photogrammetry. By applying RTK-level accuracy to point clouds generated from aerial images, efficient and highly accurate surveying of large sites becomes possible. Combining ground-based smartphone measurements and aerial drone measurements could enable the rapid construction of more comprehensive 3D maps.

Conclusion: Simple surveying anyone can do with LRTK

LRTK is a key tool that strongly advances digitization (DX) of surveying sites. While it uses cutting-edge technology, operation is simple, enabling “simple surveying” that can be handled even by those without special qualifications. The greatest advantage of simple surveying is the balance of “speed,” “ease,” and “accuracy.” With LRTK, you can measure what you need immediately with your own hands, share that data instantly, and move on to the next action. This speed greatly improves on-site productivity and becomes a driving force for maintaining high-quality results even amid labor shortages.

If you currently feel challenges in time or cost in your surveying work, consider trying LRTK. It will likely become a reliable ally that greatly expands surveying possibilities through improved efficiency and new uses you might previously have given up on.

FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)

Q: What equipment or preparations are needed to use LRTK? A: LRTK is a solution usable on smartphones and tablets. If you want to measure point clouds yourself, you’ll need the small LRTK device (a high-precision GNSS receiver) that attaches to a smartphone and the dedicated app. On the other hand, if you only need to view point cloud data shared by colleagues or other companies, no special equipment is required. Simply open the shared URL in a browser on a computer or mobile device connected to the internet to view the data through the 3D viewer. The LRTK device itself attaches to a dedicated smartphone case with one touch, and if necessary you can attach a monopod (pole) to measure ground points precisely in a manner similar to conventional GNSS surveying instruments.

Q: Can people without surveying expertise handle it? A: Yes. LRTK is designed to be usable even by those without expert knowledge. The smartphone app is intuitive, and anyone can start point cloud measurement by following on-screen instructions. Visualization and measurement of acquired data are also done interactively in the browser, so complicated settings are not required. However, when applying data in surveying operations, understanding concepts such as coordinate systems and basic measurement items will make usage smoother, so it’s advisable to have a technician support initial on-site use. There are reports of new staff mastering LRTK and assisting surveying tasks after only a short training session.

Q: For what applications and sites is LRTK useful? A: LRTK can be used in a wide range of scenarios. For example, in civil engineering sites it is useful for measuring embankment and excavation volumes. Where soil volume was previously calculated manually, scanning the terrain with LRTK immediately yields the volume.

It is also effective for surveying large sites: by walking through the site once with LRTK you can obtain dense ground surface data and dramatically reduce work time compared to point-by-point measurements with a total station. Because acquired point clouds leave no gaps, you can avoid needing re-surveys due to missed measurements. For as-built management, you can record post-construction ground and structures as point clouds and overlay them with design data to check finishing. Point clouds are also effective for displacement measurements of bridges and tunnels, interference checks of piping in plants, and dimensional checks of complex shapes. You can create cross-sections from acquired data or visualize discrepancies with design models—point clouds can be used for many purposes. Whether indoors or outdoors, LRTK excels whenever detailed understanding of site conditions is needed.

Q: Is the accuracy of point cloud data acquired with LRTK reliable? A: LRTK combines RTK-GNSS centimeter-level positioning (half-inch accuracy) with high-density point cloud acquisition using the smartphone’s LiDAR/camera. When used with appropriate surveying procedures, it provides 3D data accurate enough for general civil surveying and construction management. Of course, specialized tasks that require millimeter-level absolute accuracy, such as control point surveys, may still require dedicated instruments. However, field verifications have confirmed that LRTK’s accuracy is sufficient for many practical tasks such as embankment volume calculations and structural displacement checks.

Q: Will adopting LRTK reduce costs? A: Yes. Using LRTK offers significant cost benefits. First, initial investment is often lower when using the LRTK device and a smartphone than purchasing dedicated 3D laser scanners or surveying instruments. Improved surveying efficiency can reduce labor costs and days on site, leading to lower overall operational costs. Cloud-based data sharing also reduces the need for paper drawings and travel, saving both time and money. Depending on site size and use case, LRTK can provide an economical surveying solution while ensuring sufficient accuracy.

Q: Can large point cloud datasets be displayed in a browser? A: Yes. LRTK Cloud supports large-scale point cloud datasets. Because data is efficiently processed and distributed on the cloud side, datasets on the order of tens of millions of points can be operated smoothly in a browser. User devices are not required to have high processing performance; appropriate level-of-detail thinning is applied as needed to ensure smooth viewing.

Q: Is LRTK compatible with other software and systems? A: Point cloud data and measurement results obtained with LRTK can be exported and shared in common file formats. For example, point clouds can be exported to general formats for detailed analysis in other point cloud processing software, and cross-section data can be exported in DXF format for import into CAD drawings. The geodetic coordinates contained in the point clouds are compatible with public coordinate systems, making it easier to align with other surveying data and GIS.

Q: Can it be used indoors or where GNSS cannot be used? A: It is possible to acquire point cloud data using only smartphone sensors in environments where GNSS signals do not reach. However, in such cases the acquired point clouds are recorded in local coordinates without absolute coordinates, so special measures are needed for precise georeferencing. LRTK also has a “detailed point cloud scan” mode that generates high-detail point clouds from images, which can be applied to indoor 3D modeling, but for uses requiring precise positioning it is advisable to tie data to control points in advance.