Augmented reality lets you consult a project while looking directly at the site. In ROLAVICam and ROLAVIScan, digital elements help operators interpret where points, lines or models sit relative to the surroundings they can see.
See the project where you will work
A plan represents coordinates and geometry. AR presents them from the phone’s perspective: a point appears as a marker, a line as an alignment and a model as a 3D object. As you move, the viewpoint changes. Their visual location depends on correct alignment between the project and the session.
ROLAVIScan in action: an industrial project
This ROLAVI GNSS demonstration accompanies the article and illustrates an application of project visualization in augmented reality.
How the augmented view is built
The system must relate project coordinates to camera position and orientation. The diagram below separates the contribution of each component.
GNSS
Provides coordinates and solution quality at the antenna.
Camera + IMU
Estimate the phone’s local movement and orientation.
Project
Defines the points, lines and models you want to view.
Spatial alignment
Relates the origin, orientation and height reference. Antenna position and camera position must be distinguished.
Project over the real image
The application projects geometry from the camera’s perspective and updates the view as you move.
Visual-inertial tracking combines image features with IMU measurements to estimate relative motion. Platforms such as ARCore and ARKit use this principle. The GNSS reference and alignment relate that local view to the georeferenced project.
Position and orientation are separate quantities. A GNSS FIX solution can coexist with a visually rotated or shifted model when orientation, heights or alignment need checking.
Prepare the session in 4 steps
- Check the project.Confirm its coordinate system, units and vertical reference. Verify that the loaded elements correspond to the work site.
- Check positioning.Review the GNSS connection, solution status and correction age. Set the equipment height for your measurement method.
- Align and observe the surroundings.Perform the orientation alignment available in your application. Move the phone gently and observe well-lit details to initialize tracking.
- Compare against known references.Before using the overlay, check identifiable field points or features. Repeat the check after changing area or restarting the session.
Three practical applications
Surveying and cadastre
Viewing project vertices and alignments over the site helps interpret geometry and organize field work.
Construction and installations
Showing models, axes or pipes helps explain a design in its setting. The overlay represents geometry and coordinates from the loaded project.
Stakeout
The AR view guides movement toward a selected element. Numerical differences and the final measurement allow its position to be checked.
Check alignment as you work
Compare the overlay with known references from more than one position. If you see a rotation or shift, check orientation, coordinates and heights before continuing. A dark, featureless or motion-blurred image can degrade tracking. After an interruption or a long walk, check alignment again.
The augmented view makes the project easier to interpret. Survey accuracy is assessed using field measurements and references suited to the purpose of the work.
Visual-inertial tracking fundamentals: Google · ARCore · Apple · ARKit.