Revolutionizing the Job Site Through Advanced Utilization of 3D Data: AI and Cloud Accelerate DX in Construction—Zenrin Group Releases Case Studies for "ScanX"

In the construction industry, the formulation of i-Construction 2.0*1 by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT) is accelerating the "automation of construction sites" based on ICT construction*2. The key to this is the advanced utilization of 3D data. With the full-scale introduction of 3D models for construction contract documents scheduled to begin in fiscal year 2027, visualization and productivity improvements using 3D data have become urgent priorities for architecture and civil engineering sites. However, there are significant challenges to utilizing 3D data, such as labor shortages and the burden of implementation at job sites.

The Zenrin Group, which promotes business DX using geospatial information, provides "ScanX," an AI-equipped online point cloud*3 processing software designed to help solve these challenges. The company has now published the latest corporate case studies utilizing ScanX on its website. These introduce the effects of implementing ScanX, along with examples of point cloud data utilization in the construction industry and real-world feedback from job sites.

What is the AI-powered online point cloud processing software "ScanX"?

"ScanX," provided by the Zenrin Group's Locus Blue, is a cloud-based application service that uses AI to automatically classify 3D point cloud data. By overlaying this with various spatial data such as 3D design data, it streamlines site condition analysis and construction progress management. Based on the acquired point clouds, it enables low-cost realization of tasks such as calculating differences from construction plans, calculating earthwork volumes, and sharing data.

*1 i-Construction 2.0: An initiative promoted by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism to improve the productivity of the entire construction production system, including ICT construction. i-Construction 2.0 is a new policy that further advances conventional ICT construction (1.0) and aims for the automation of construction sites as a labor-saving measure. *2 ICT Construction: A construction method that enhances precision and productivity by utilizing technologies such as 3D surveying (point cloud data), 3D design data, and ICT construction machinery. *3 Point Cloud: Data recorded as a collection of countless points representing objects or terrain in space, acquired via 3D laser scanners or drone surveying.

ScanX Implementation Case Studies

① "Zero man-hours" for data transfer accelerates decision-making! Konoike Construction Co., Ltd. Even tens of gigabytes of point cloud data can be transmitted via a single URL. From sharing urgent reports to the site to preliminary reviews of construction plans, the scope of point cloud utilization has expanded, building an ideal workflow through DX.

② 85% reduction in man-hours through AI-based noise removal! Takenaka Civil Engineering & Construction Co., Ltd. Large amounts of noise, such as vegetation, which previously took over a full day to remove, can now be processed in one hour. The accuracy of earthwork volume calculations has also improved, and the optimal combined use with existing software has led to business innovation across the entire workflow.

③ Work time reduced to 1/10th! Nippon Koei Urban Space Co., Ltd. Shapes and structures that could not be fully grasped from design drawings are now visualized using point cloud data. While the process of classifying vegetation and structures previously required a significant amount of time, the work time has been reduced to less than one-tenth of what it was before.

④ Drastic reduction from half a day of manual work to one hour! Kobushi Construction Co., Ltd. (Iwamizawa City, Hokkaido) Through AI automatic classification and cloud processing, the time required for tasks was drastically reduced from "half a day of manual work" to "one hour." By clearing site challenges such as labor shortages and PC performance limitations, the company has moved away from relying on veterans and individual expertise, achieving improved productivity across the entire site.

Utilization in other fields It is also possible to use AI to automatically extract only buildings from data taken before and after disasters, which can be used to grasp the extent of damage from typhoons, earthquakes, and other disasters. Remote disaster assessment enables rapid rescue operations and site recovery responses.

Future Outlook for Zenrin Group's DX Solutions As a geospatial information service company, Zenrin's fundamental corporate activity is to continue contributing to society through technology that optimizes and provides advanced spatiotemporal databases—collected and maintained with high-precision spatial information—for all types of applications. In our medium-to-long-term management plan, "ZENRIN GROWTH PLAN 2030," we have set the theme of "Creating Social Value in a Co-creative Society," and are working on the development of DX solutions that use data to support the resolution of social and corporate issues faced by regions, local governments, and various industries.

Moving forward, we will continue to further advance our database-centric business foundation and expand the possibilities of geospatial information as social infrastructure, thereby supporting the DX of all industries and challenging ourselves to create new value.