#Japan #Tokyo #XGRIDS #TRANCITY #HoloLab

Introduction

Recently, a notable collaboration was announced among CalTa Inc., Hololab Inc., and JR East Consultants Co., Ltd., aiming to enhance the capabilities of the TRANCITY Nebula digital twin platform. The partnership facilitates the direct upload of measurement data acquired from XGRIDS' high-quality 3D scanners, along with the automatic generation of 3D Gaussian Splatting (3DGS) data in a secure domestic environment. This paid add-on service is expected to be available this winter.

1. About XGRIDS 3D Scanners and 3DGS Generation

XGRIDS' handheld 3D scanners have gained traction in Japan’s infrastructure sector due to their user-friendly measurements and high-quality data output. These scanners are equipped with advanced technologies, such as LiDAR, high-resolution cameras, SLAM techniques, and RTK-GNSS positioning functions. They are ideally suited for capturing detailed, comprehensive site data, which is crucial for producing accurate 3DGS data.

2. Background and Challenges

TRANCITY Nebula stands out for its user-friendly feature that allows users to easily upload videos captured via smartphones to automatically generate 3DGS and 3D models. However, there has been a growing demand for visualizing vast facilities or long-distance infrastructure structures in one go, emphasizing the need to directly utilize the high-precision data from handheld 3D scanners like those from XGRIDS.

Despite this demand, several challenges have hindered real-world operational uptake, including:

• - Security Management of Data Processing: The flow of sending imaging data to overseas shared cloud environments does not align with the stringent data security policies that infrastructure operators are obliged to follow, especially when handling critical infrastructure information and precise location data.
• - Operational Burden of Data Conversion and Positioning Adjustments: Utilizing scanner data often necessitates tedious manual alignment or complex conversion processes through specialized software, significantly increasing the workload for field personnel.

3. Value of the New Implementation

The newly introduced service promises to address the aforementioned challenges and provide the following benefits:

• - Automatic Generation of High-Precision 3DGS Data: Users can upload their imaging data directly to TRANCITY Nebula, which will automatically generate and position the high-precision 3DGS data at the accurate location on its three-dimensional map without the need for manual alignment or complicated preprocessing.
• - Safe Data Management in a Domestic Environment: The data conversion process will be conducted within a dedicated environment managed by Hololab, ensuring that critical site imaging data does not leave the country and can be processed efficiently. This security measure allows infrastructure operators with strict information management needs to adopt and operate this service with confidence.
• - Seamless Secondary Use in TRANCITY ARCADE: The generated 3DGS data can directly serve as base material for creating experiential content within TRANCITY ARCADE. This capability facilitates smooth transitions into public relations and training operations through virtual facility guides and educational content that closely mirrors real-world environments.

4. Future Developments

Both CalTa and its partners aim to use this add-on service's development and deployment to advance the practical applications of 3DGS data in infrastructure maintenance operations and improve overall work efficiency.

About CalTa

CalTa specializes in the rollout of the digital twin platform TRANCITY, alongside providing comprehensive support services from data acquisition via drones and robots to consulting. They are driving the digital transformation (DX) within the infrastructure and construction industries. For those interested in the digital twin transformation or 3D data utilization, feel free to reach out through their contact page.

Contact Information

• - Company Overview: CalTa Inc.
• - Website: calta.co.jp
• - Location: 3rd Floor, Takanawa Sengakuji Station Front Building, 2-18-10 Takanawa, Minato-ku, Tokyo
• - Representative: Hidetoshi Kobayashi, CEO
• - Established: July 1, 2021
• - Services: TRANCITY, CalTa M42, on-site video acquisition services, commissioned development.
• - Detailed Services: calta.co.jp/service