4D planning shows what should happen. But who’s recording what actually happened? If I was starting a 4D surveying service today, I’d keep it simple: 𝟭. Rapid Capture - quick 360 walk, drone flythrough… or survey-grade tools like Portal Cam / XGRIDS K1. 𝟮. Convert to 3D Splats -> turn flat images into spatial records. 𝟯. Repeat Often -> weekly updates build the 4D timeline. 𝟰. Render for Clarity -> 30-sec videos anyone can understand. 𝟱. Deliver Fast -> hours, not weeks. 👉 Whether it’s a consumer 360 or survey-grade imaging with XGRIDS K1, the principle is the same: repeat often, deliver fast, and build a 4D site record. That’s not just a cool workflow. It’s: ✅ Progress everyone can see ✅ Evidence for contracts & disputes ✅ A living record of your project 👉 If you had a 4D playback of your last project, where would it have saved you time (or an argument)? #Surveying #Construction #RealityCapture #DigitalTwin #FutureOfSurveying
15 years ago, I worked on a system for monitoring construction progress in 4D using a Riegl Laser scanner. I went on an open site after hours and scanned once a week or when major stages had been completed (pipes laid, etc.). At the end, I could tell you exactly where every pipe was, every valve, the wiring in all walls, etc. I went to the developer (this is in 2011) and asked if they wanted to see a 4D monitoring system that was unprecedented. "Nah, no thanks." That was that! Really glad to see this picking up steam. The world is 4D and we're all just living in it. It's about time we have full 4D solutions to our daily operations!
To me it’s not really about the device. It’s about turning data into a communication asset anyone can act on.