Space Seed Holdings Develops "SpacePlot" Technology for Real-Time Data Extraction and Plotting onto 3D Models
Space Seed Holdings Co., Inc. (Headquarters: Minato-ku, Tokyo; Representative: Kengo Suzuki) has developed a cutting-edge technology that enables the real-time extraction of information from images captured by drones and satellite imagery and plots it onto pre-constructed 3D models. This newly developed technology, named “SpacePlot,” has been patented to support its future deployment.
Background
Since Japan’s rapid economic growth more than half a century ago, the country has seen an aging infrastructure, with many buildings from that era remaining in deteriorated conditions. These aging structures pose safety risks, such as wall collapses, necessitating mandatory regular inspections. While drone technology has emerged as a promising solution and has been partially adopted, identifying and analyzing deteriorated areas in the collected data still heavily relies on manual efforts, hindering inspection efficiency. Recognizing this challenge, Space Seed Holdings has developed a system for centralized management of detected issues by plotting them onto 3D models.
The Mechanism Behind SpacePlot
The SpacePlot technology utilizes advanced image capture and position estimation techniques to calculate the acquisition location and orientation of images. By plotting specific information extracted from these images in real-time onto 3D models, SpacePlot enhances these models with meaningful data overlays.
Example: Plotting Water Infiltration on 3D Models
A demonstration involved detecting water infiltration in sand using infrared cameras. The infiltrated areas were successfully plotted as red points on a 3D model, showcasing the precision and real-time functionality of the SpacePlot system.
(See photos below for a visualization of the demonstration.)
Compared to traditional drone-based anomaly detection workflows, SpacePlot provides an enhanced process by centralizing data visualization and enabling integration with satellite data for broader initial scanning, followed by precise localization using drones.
Potential Applications
Beyond structural inspections, SpacePlot technology can be applied in various fields, including:
?Aircraft Inspections
?Tunnel and Railway Maintenance
?Crop Diagnostics in Agriculture
?Disaster Damage Assessments
Applications in the Space Sector
The rapid development of lunar 3D mapping presents opportunities for SpacePlot in lunar surface exploration. Additionally, by utilizing 3D models of satellites, SpacePlot could play a significant role in the inspection and maintenance of satellites, particularly those challenging to access.
Future Developments
Space Seed Holdings plans to test SpacePlot’s accuracy on large-scale structures and evaluate its adaptability across multiple use cases. The company is also exploring experiments with advanced sensors capable of capturing more detailed data, such as hyperspectral imagery.
About Space Seed Holdings Inc.
With a mission to “Turn Science Fiction into Non-Fiction,” Space Seed Holdings Inc. is a deep-tech venture builder focused on investment, research, and business creation in the space sector. Through initiatives like the “Fermentation and Longevity Fund” program, the company aims to solve societal challenges and develop technologies necessary for humanity’s habitation in space by 2040, in collaboration with various stakeholders.
