Experimental evaluation of iPad Pro LiDAR, for building modeling and possibilities to connect with AI technologies

Measuring buildings is a recurring task when recording construction progress and existing buildings in BIM-models. LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) surveying systems allow fast and precise recording of environments but are usually not attractive in terms of price of widespread use. Nowadays, modern mobile devices equipped with LiDAR sensors offer a cost-effective alternative for measuring environments or structures. This Paper experimentally investigates to which extent the iPad Pro, with its various software solutions and the LiDAR technology available today, can be used to create building models. Four experiments were conducted to reflect real-life situations: (i) scanning closed space, (ii) scanning loop of a larger area, (iii) the range of the LiDAR sensor, and (iv) its accuracy as well as the functionality of direct automatic modeling of BIM-models compared to professional systems. The experimental investigations show that the iPad Pro can already be used to capture point clouds with minor quality reduction. Furthermore, the post-processing of the scan data using artificial intelligence is being investigated to derive further research questions on how the scan data can be automatically evaluated and the quality of the derived 3D building models can be improved.