Lake Mary, Fl, September 1, 2022 – FARO® Technologies, Inc. (Nasdaq: FARO), a global leader in 4D digital reality solutions, today announced the acquisition of UK-based GeoSLAM, a leading provider of mobile scanning solutions with proprietary high-productivity simultaneous localization and mapping (SLAM) software to create 3D models for use in Digital Twin applications. Founded in 2012, the addition of GeoSLAM is expected to significantly expand and accelerate FARO’s market growth opportunity in the mobile scanning space.
Microsol Resources is an authorized partner of UK-based GeoSLAM, used for surveying and data capture into a 3D model or 2D drawing, so you can start your design with accurate dimensions and integrate clear and comprehensive data and real-time processing. GeoSLAM gives designers the power to collect geospatial data from some of the most difficult environments, whether they are indoors, outdoors, underground – everywhere.
“We are thrilled to add GeoSLAM’s handheld 3D scanning technology to our portfolio of cutting-edge data capture solutions,” said Michael Burger, FARO President and CEO. “FARO now offers the industry’s broadest set of 4D data capture solutions, including 360° camera-based images, mobile scanning and stationary high-accuracy laser scanning, allowing customers to balance the need for accuracy, speed and detail depending on their requirements. These capture technologies provide the foundation for our 4D digital reality-based SaaS offering that will allow customers to access multiple 4D data sources for visualization and analysis through a single user experience. We welcome the GeoSLAM team to our FARO family.”
“Joining with FARO represents the next step in the growth of GeoSLAM and the establishment of mobile mapping as a driver for growth in the way businesses map and understand their spaces,” added Andy Parr, GeoSLAM CEO. “Both companies share a vision of the importance of mobile scanning in the burgeoning digital reality capture market.”
FARO serves the AEC, O&M (Facility Operations & Maintenance), 3D Metrology, and Public Safety Analytics markets. For over 40 years, FARO has provided industry-leading technology solutions that enable customers to digitize their world and use that data to make smarter decisions faster. FARO continues to be a pioneer in bridging the digital and physical worlds through data-driven accuracy, precision, and immediacy.
Interested in surveying and data capture into a 3D model or 2D drawing, so you can start your design with accurate dimensions?
Construction Progress is a smart monitoring solution to track the progress of large construction projects using mobile LiDAR and automated analytics.
GeoSLAM’s Construction Progress combines hardware, advanced SLAM ((Simultaneous Localisation and Mapping), and analytics to deliver crucial site information to your teams quickly and easily. Automatically generate clear progress reports with visualizations that show you the build progress made on site.
It’s used by construction companies to track and record progress against a 3D model or a previous scan to improve efficiency, save money, create unbiased progress reports and provide valuable data to help resolve any disputes that may arise.
How does it work?
1. It starts with SLAM
SLAM (Simultaneous Localisation and Mapping) creates a digital model of a site, by using a handheld mobile scanner. The SLAM technology used inside
GeoSLAM’s product portfolio was developed by some of the smartest people on our planet. As you walk around your construction site, 43,000 invisible laser beams are emitted per second, and this is what forms a digital map.
2. Capture
Using GeoSLAM’s mobile mapping system, capture regular scans by walking around the site. Within one hour, it will tell you what’s changed – automatically. No guessing, no maths, just the press of a button (and some very clever algorithms). You can compare each scan against the previous scan, or to a CAD model.
3. Process
Plug your ZEB scanner into a computer, and we’ll automatically process the data using our smart data platform, GeoSLAM Connect. We can set the file to be automatically saved to a network folder of your choice, each time a scan is completed.
4. View
View your 3D data, see notes, voice notes, or photos located where they were made. Save your photographs and notes for reference or team collaboration. See what’s changed against a previous scan, or 3D model.
5.Create
You’ll have an easy-to-understand PDF report automatically generated and emailed to you, or saved in a file location of your choice. The PDF report will show the percentage of work complete or incomplete (compared to the 3D model) and simple visualization of the site highlighting 3D change. A digital record of site progress over time can now be captured, reported, and stored for the life of the project.
6. Where next?
You choose to sync the results of your project to collaboration tools such as Autodesk BIM 360, Dalux, Viewpoint 4projects. You can also export the data to CAD packages or your CDE (common data environment).
What are the benefits of using GeoSLAM for construction progress?
Automated project progress with transparent, easy to understand, shareable PDF reports
See your construction progress through the life cycle of a project, helping to report, avoiding disputes, and delay penalties
Automated file storage compatible with industry collaboration platforms so the full project team and stakeholders can access progress reports anytime
In-sourced data collection no waiting for external contractors, collect data when you need it
Quickly and easily share project progress updates ensuring full transparency
Move beyond whiteboards and WhatsApp with easy to implement, digital construction progress
GeoSLAM is a trusted technology provider for some of the Worlds largest companies
Identify percentage complete or incomplete.
“We have been trialling the ZEB Go on numerous construction sites. It is extremely easy to use and has been adopted by various colleagues throughout the site. The speed of capture has resulted in us being able to capture a full site in a fifth of the time compared to our existing scanner.”
Which scanner is best for tracking construction progress?
Each one of the following GeoSLAM laser scanners collects data with high speed and precision, and pairs with GeoSLAM’s Draw BIM software.
Check out the differences to fit the scanner for your own project needs.
If you’re looking for a reliable way to map and understand spaces, check out the ZEB Go. Whether it’s the first time you’ve looked at digital surveying, or you want each of your sites equipped with the smartest SLAM, the ZEB Go is the place to start.
ZEB Revo RTis a unique, lightweight revolving laser-scanner that allows you to scan and process simultaneously, as you walk. Handheld, pole-mounted, or attached to your chosen mobile platform such as a vehicle or UAV and pass through your target survey environment to record more than 40,000 measurement points/second.
With a range of 100m, the ZEB Horizon 3D mobile scanner is great for outdoor use, yet its lightweight and compact design also makes it perfect for indoor surveys.
Automatically generate clear progress reports with visualizations that show you the build progress made on site. It’s used by construction companies to track and record progress against a 3D model or a previous scan to improve effi ciency, save money, create unbiased progress reports and provide valuable data to help resolve any disputes that may arise.
As companies embark on their digitization path it is crucial to find solutions that cover all aspects from design to handover and allow for a seamless flow of information.
Building Information Modeling (BIM) and digital twin market is highly competitive and has been growing in popularity over the last decade. Many sectors and market segments have started to realize the benefits of having a digital twin of an asset, especially if there is a large portfolio of buildings to manage.
Facilities management, IoT deployment, and general maintenance of the assets become easier when there is a thorough understanding of the building. The challenge has always been to get the information about the building quickly and accurately without exorbitant costs and time delays waiting for plans to be drawn up and manually measured.
The way we understand buildings is changing.
Scan to BIM means capturing a space, and turning it into a digital model that can be used for planning, monitoring, or managing the built environment, and communicating and sharing project information with stakeholders.
GeoSLAM Scan to BIM is a simple way of rapidly capturing essential information about space, creating a point cloud, and importing the data into a BIM software, like Autodesk Revit.
Why GeoSLAM Scan to BIM?
Rapid scanning to create or update a BIM model up to 10 times faster than traditional scanners
Cover large areas with GeoSLAM from up to 100 meters away
User-friendly technologyquick and easy data capture that you don’t need to outsource
Import, view, and interrogate all data captured, and rapidly create valuable 2D and 3D layouts and placements of your site
Stairs, small rooms, tight spaces, and GNSS denied environments are easy with GeoSLAM
Fast, repeatable data capture
“I want an easy way of capturing an asset quickly and accurately, and generate a BIM model in the least amount of time as possible.”
Easy steps from scan to BIM
Scan to BIM combines hardware, advanced SLAM [Simultaneous Location and Mapping] that creates a digital model of a site by using a handheld mobile scanner, and GeoSLAM’s Draw BIM software to rapidly deliver accurate 3D models.
Step 1: Collect data
The GeoSLAM ZEB handheld mobile mapping system was used to collect all data required over three stories within 8 minutes of turning the scanner on.
Step 2: Process the data in GeoSLAM Hub and Draw BIM
The data is uploaded to GeoSLAM Hub on-site, which creates a 3D point cloud. The point cloud is natively opened in Draw BIM, an add-on package to GeoSLAM Hub. Floorplans and sections are extracted, so the data could be aligned and walls squared up. The data is exported in RCP format, ready to be loaded into Revit.
Step 3: Modelling in Revit
A new Revit project is created, and the technician creates levels and corresponding views, using the point cloud for reference. Walls, doors, windows, the roof, and other key architectural and structural components were modeled. The finished model is level of design (LOD) 300.
What are the benefits of scan to BIM?
Save Time | Use GeoSLAM for all data capture onsite for rapid information when you need it
Save Money | No outsourcing required, easy and simple handheld scanners
Digitize your Space | Unlock valuable information about buildings through their lifecycle
Compatibility | Easily export GeoSLAM data to third party software packages
Which scanner is best for scan to BIM?
Each one of the following GeoSLAM laser scanners collects data with high speed and precision, and pairs with GeoSLAM’s Draw BIM software.
Check out the differences to fit the scanner for your own project needs.
If you’re looking for a reliable way to map and understand spaces, check out the ZEB Go. Whether it’s the first time you’ve looked at digital surveying, or you want each of your sites equipped with the smartest SLAM, the ZEB Go is the place to start.
ZEB Revo RTis a unique, lightweight revolving laser-scanner that allows you to scan and process simultaneously, as you walk. Handheld, pole-mounted, or attached to your chosen mobile platform such as a vehicle or UAV and pass through your target survey environment to record more than 40,000 measurement points/second.
With a range of 100m, the ZEB Horizon 3D mobile scanner is great for outdoor use, yet its lightweight and compact design also makes it perfect for indoor surveys.
Scan to BIM is vastly used by all the stakeholders in the design and construction industry as it saves a lot of time and cost of the project. It also provides a platform to see real-time changes and visualize the site resulting in increased efficiency.
Whether you’re thinking about getting started in 3D laser scanning or you’ve been doing it for years, we can assist you with the best practices from scan to BIM.
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