USING DIGITAL TWINS WITH IMMERSIVE 3D
VISUALIZATION IN THE INSPECTION INDUSTRY
Background
The inspection industry plays a crucial
role across various sectors, including
manufacturing, construction, oil and gas,
and infrastructure. Inspections ensure
compliance with safety standards, quality
control, and maintenance schedules, miti-
gating risks and enhancing operational
efficiency. Traditionally, inspections rely on
manual processes and physical presence,
which can be time-consuming, costly,
and often hazardous. Advancements
in reality capture and digital twins are
creating a solid foundation for true-to-
scale (1:1) immersive 3D visualization in
virtual reality (VR), augmented reality
(AR), and mixed reality (MR). This combi-
nation offers innovative solutions for
virtualizing inspector training, enabling
real-time collaboration, and visualizing
data analysis. These advancements have
the potential to revolutionize traditional
inspection methods.
Creating and Visualizing Persistent
Digital Twins
Inspections generate vast amounts of data,
including measurements, photos, and
notes. Drones capture detailed lidar data,
which can serve as a precise 3D founda-
tion for creating digital twins. Additionally,
many industries possess design or CAD
drawings that, when combined with lidar
or scan data, can enhance detail and
accuracy. Data capture can also include
360° images and videos, which can further
enrich the digital twin. Adding documenta-
tion and real-time sensor data to the digital
twin provides live, actionable information.
A digital twin, visualized at a 1:1 scale on
immersive reality devices, creates oppor-
tunities to virtualize inspection processes
that traditionally rely on in-person activi-
ties. These digital twins can be accessible
24/7 in a persistent manner for a variety of
business applications. Open web-based
rendering technologies, such as WebGL
and the more advanced WebGPU, offer
powerful and scalable solutions for diverse
business needs. Additionally, the recent
WebXR and OpenXR standards provide
a unified, vendor-agnostic approach to
supporting VR, AR, and MR devices,
reducing key obstacles to business adop-
tion. An example of using web technol-
ogies for extended reality (XR), which
includes VR, AR, and MR, can be viewed
live at https://iq3connect.com/xr.
Opportunities
Enhanced Safety, Efficiency, and
Reduced Disruptions
A digital twin environment can signifi-
cantly enhance safety by reducing the
need for physical presence in hazardous
areas. It also lowers the costs involved
with travel and moving equipment,
resulting in increased operational effi-
ciencies and fewer business disrup-
tions. Inspectors can perform virtual
walkthroughs to examine dangerous
or hard-to-reach areas at their own
pace, reducing the risk of accidents.
Incorporating immersive VR and AR into
inspection processes allows for accurate
1:1 scale visualization, which flat screen
methods cannot achieve. This new
approach reduces the necessity of being
on-site, further decreasing business
disruptions when travel is impractical.
Inspector Training
Digital twins with immersive training envi-
ronments can simulate real-world inspec-
tion scenarios. VR can create realistic 3D
environments where trainees can practice
inspections without the limitations of phys-
ical locations. For instance, a trainee can
virtually inspect an oil rig, practicing safety
protocols and identifying defects in a
controlled setting. AR and MR can enhance
on-the-job training by overlaying digital
information on physical objects. Inspectors
can use AR glasses to receive step-by-step
guidance, access technical documents, and
visualize internal structures. This reduces
the learning curve and improves accuracy.
Real-Time Collaboration with
Experts
Similarly, a multiuser environment with
digital twins can enable real-time collabo-
ration between on-site inspectors, remote
experts, and stakeholders in various loca-
tions. An inspector in the field can use AR
glasses to share their viewpoint with an
expert elsewhere, who can then provide
immediate feedback and guidance. This
capability is especially valuable in complex
or hazardous environments where expert
input is critical. Collaborative platforms can
enhance this further by allowing remote
experts to annotate the inspector’s field
of view, highlight areas of concern, and
suggest corrective actions.
Considerations
While the adoption of immersive technol-
ogies in the inspection industry is highly
promising, several considerations must
SCANNER
|
NDEOUTLOOK
Immersive 3D
visualization
of a digital
twin of a
steel bridge
facilitates
real-time
collaborative
design,
inspection,
and training.
14
M A T E R I A L S E V A L U A T I O N • J U L Y 2 0 2 4
CREDIT:
YOKOGAWA
BRIDGE
CO.
VISUALIZATION IN THE INSPECTION INDUSTRY
Background
The inspection industry plays a crucial
role across various sectors, including
manufacturing, construction, oil and gas,
and infrastructure. Inspections ensure
compliance with safety standards, quality
control, and maintenance schedules, miti-
gating risks and enhancing operational
efficiency. Traditionally, inspections rely on
manual processes and physical presence,
which can be time-consuming, costly,
and often hazardous. Advancements
in reality capture and digital twins are
creating a solid foundation for true-to-
scale (1:1) immersive 3D visualization in
virtual reality (VR), augmented reality
(AR), and mixed reality (MR). This combi-
nation offers innovative solutions for
virtualizing inspector training, enabling
real-time collaboration, and visualizing
data analysis. These advancements have
the potential to revolutionize traditional
inspection methods.
Creating and Visualizing Persistent
Digital Twins
Inspections generate vast amounts of data,
including measurements, photos, and
notes. Drones capture detailed lidar data,
which can serve as a precise 3D founda-
tion for creating digital twins. Additionally,
many industries possess design or CAD
drawings that, when combined with lidar
or scan data, can enhance detail and
accuracy. Data capture can also include
360° images and videos, which can further
enrich the digital twin. Adding documenta-
tion and real-time sensor data to the digital
twin provides live, actionable information.
A digital twin, visualized at a 1:1 scale on
immersive reality devices, creates oppor-
tunities to virtualize inspection processes
that traditionally rely on in-person activi-
ties. These digital twins can be accessible
24/7 in a persistent manner for a variety of
business applications. Open web-based
rendering technologies, such as WebGL
and the more advanced WebGPU, offer
powerful and scalable solutions for diverse
business needs. Additionally, the recent
WebXR and OpenXR standards provide
a unified, vendor-agnostic approach to
supporting VR, AR, and MR devices,
reducing key obstacles to business adop-
tion. An example of using web technol-
ogies for extended reality (XR), which
includes VR, AR, and MR, can be viewed
live at https://iq3connect.com/xr.
Opportunities
Enhanced Safety, Efficiency, and
Reduced Disruptions
A digital twin environment can signifi-
cantly enhance safety by reducing the
need for physical presence in hazardous
areas. It also lowers the costs involved
with travel and moving equipment,
resulting in increased operational effi-
ciencies and fewer business disrup-
tions. Inspectors can perform virtual
walkthroughs to examine dangerous
or hard-to-reach areas at their own
pace, reducing the risk of accidents.
Incorporating immersive VR and AR into
inspection processes allows for accurate
1:1 scale visualization, which flat screen
methods cannot achieve. This new
approach reduces the necessity of being
on-site, further decreasing business
disruptions when travel is impractical.
Inspector Training
Digital twins with immersive training envi-
ronments can simulate real-world inspec-
tion scenarios. VR can create realistic 3D
environments where trainees can practice
inspections without the limitations of phys-
ical locations. For instance, a trainee can
virtually inspect an oil rig, practicing safety
protocols and identifying defects in a
controlled setting. AR and MR can enhance
on-the-job training by overlaying digital
information on physical objects. Inspectors
can use AR glasses to receive step-by-step
guidance, access technical documents, and
visualize internal structures. This reduces
the learning curve and improves accuracy.
Real-Time Collaboration with
Experts
Similarly, a multiuser environment with
digital twins can enable real-time collabo-
ration between on-site inspectors, remote
experts, and stakeholders in various loca-
tions. An inspector in the field can use AR
glasses to share their viewpoint with an
expert elsewhere, who can then provide
immediate feedback and guidance. This
capability is especially valuable in complex
or hazardous environments where expert
input is critical. Collaborative platforms can
enhance this further by allowing remote
experts to annotate the inspector’s field
of view, highlight areas of concern, and
suggest corrective actions.
Considerations
While the adoption of immersive technol-
ogies in the inspection industry is highly
promising, several considerations must
SCANNER
|
NDEOUTLOOK
Immersive 3D
visualization
of a digital
twin of a
steel bridge
facilitates
real-time
collaborative
design,
inspection,
and training.
14
M A T E R I A L S E V A L U A T I O N • J U L Y 2 0 2 4
CREDIT:
YOKOGAWA
BRIDGE
CO.
