Infrastructure maintenance is about to change! The 3D scanning app “Scanat ” Launches New Brand “Scanat -D,” is now fully operational for infrastructure maintenance
natnat(Headquarters: Chuo Ward, Tokyo; Representative Director: ; hereinafter “ ”) and Kotobuki Construction Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Fukushima City, Fukushima Prefecture; President and CEO: Eigo Morisaki; hereinafter “Kotobuki Construction”) have launched a new initiative to promote the use of digital technology at infrastructure maintenance sites. As part of this initiative, they are applying the 3D scanning app “ 劉 栄駿Scanat ” and have launched a dedicated website. xml-ph-0000@deepl.internal This method was announced in June 2024 by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism as “Scanat -D,” and have launched a dedicated website. This method was selected in June 2024 for the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism’s “Project to Promote Efficient Construction Work Toward the Realization of Work-Style Reform ” and is attracting attention as a leading example of advancing digital transformation (DX) on construction sites.
Background: Over 30 years of hands-on experience combined with cutting-edge spatial measurement technology
For over 30 years, Kotobuki Construction has been involved in year-round maintenance of local national highways and tunnel repair work. During this time, the company recognized the challenges posed by the complexity of on-site information sharing, as well as measurement and record-keeping tasks. In 2023, the company’s president, Mr. Morisaki, discovered “Scanat ,” originally developed for the architecture sector, and recognized its potential. Immediately afterward, the company approached natto propose a partnership, and began actively pursuing its application to construction and infrastructure maintenance.
Initiatives:Scanat Benefits of Application in the Civil Engineering Field
“Scanat ” uses iPads and iPhones to quickly and easily convert site conditions into 3D data and share it via the cloud, streamlining the processes of assessing site conditions, taking measurements, and sharing information with clients. It reduces the need for on-site re-checks and travel, and since stakeholders can share realistic site conditions while simultaneously taking measurements on screen, infrastructure maintenance can be carried out more quickly and effectively. Recognizing its significant benefits for emergency responses during national highway maintenance—including on-site verification, measurements, and information sharing—as well as for tunnel inspections, which were traditionally documented through photographs and handwritten notes, Kotobuki Construction began implementing “Scanat ” into the maintenance and repair project for National Route 4 in Fukushima, establishing a system to convert on-site conditions into 3D data and share that information with the client. As a result, on-site inspections and witness visits—which previously required multiple trips—have been minimized, significantly reducing the effort required for on-site measurements, inspections, and meetings, and achieving a reduction of approximately 21 hours of work time per month. Furthermore, we are expanding the scope of its application by using it for quality control of partial pavement repairs (patching), “visualizing” work areas during pre-work meetings, and establishing a simplified tunnel inspection method by utilizing the curve distance measurement function on 3D data.
3D data of slopes at risk of collapse (including measurements of length and area)Quality Control for Pavement Repair (Patching)
Future Outlook
ScanatWe expect the use of -D to expand to various infrastructure sites in the future, including tunnel construction and road maintenance. This initiative was selected on June 10, 2024, for the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism’s “Project to Promote Efficient Construction Work Toward the Realization of Work-Style Reform” and was also introduced as a model project. As understanding and expectations on the part of project owners continue to grow, we will continue to expand the use ofScanat -D to more construction and maintenance sites, contributing to the digitization and improved productivity of the industry as a whole.
