Eurocarto 2024, the annual conference of the European Association of Cartography, took place last week, focusing on advancements in cartography and geographic information science. The event gathered researchers, practitioners, and industry professionals to share insights and discuss innovative approaches within the field.

Our partner from the University of Vigo presented the SUM4Re project, highlighting its efforts in circular construction data management and urban transformation. The project’s focus on developing a traceability system for building materials and enhancing Building Information Modeling (BIM) standards aligns with the conference’s theme of utilizing digital tools for sustainable practices in construction.

Alongside this presentation, our partner submitted a scientific report that is carried out in the frame of the project: Scanning indoor environments with Microsoft HoloLens 2 for interactive generation of floor plans, co-written by Juan C. Navares-Vázquez, Silvia M. González-Collazo, Pedro Arias, and Jesús Balado:

Nowadays, 3D scanning is used in a wide range of fields, including relief and indoors mapping. However, the tools used in the scanning process may present drawbacks, regarding size, mobility, weight, real time data visualization, etc. Moreover, for the subsequent processing of the data, specialized staff and great amount of time are needed, increasing project complexity and cost, and thus restricting the use of these technologies. On the other hand, Mixed Reality devices have experienced a remarkable growth in later years, due to their nearly infinite uses. To address the former situation, the use of Mixed Reality device HoloLens 2 as a scanning tool is proposed, in order to achieve an intuitive, fast, and versatile experience. Furthermore, marker placement with the device is also proposed to help with data post-processing.