Virtual terrestrial laser scanner simulator in digital twin environment

Abstract

We are presenting a Terrestrial Laser Scanner simulator - a software device which could be a valuable educational tool for geomatics and engineering students. The main goal of the VirScan3D project is to cover engineering digitisation and will be solved through the development of a virtual system that allows users to create realistic data in the absence of a real measuring device in a modelled real life environment (digital twin). The prototype implementation of the virtual laser scanner is realised within a game engine, which allows for fast and easy 3D visualisation and navigation. Real life objects can be digitised, modelled and integrated into the simulator, thus creating a digital copy of a real world environment. Within this environment, the user can freely navigate and define suitable scanning positions/stations. At each scanning station a simulated scan is performed which is adapted to the technical specifications of a real scanner. The mathematical solution is based on 3D line intersection with the virtual 3D surface including noise and colour as well as an intensity simulation. As a result, 3D point clouds for each station are generated, which will be further processed for registration and modelling using standard software packages.