On modern construction sites, simply photographing a building or taking measurements with a tape measure is no longer enough. Professionals are increasingly using 3D scanning to quickly create a digital copy of a structure. Lasers and cameras capture millions of data points, and software converts them into a so-called point cloud—a detailed spatial representation of the building.
Such technologies are particularly useful for renovation, construction monitoring, BIM model preparation, and verifying the actual structure's compliance with the design.
One of the most unusual solutions is the NavVis VLX 3. It is a wearable system: the operator puts the equipment on their shoulders and back and simply walks through the site. Unlike a conventional tripod-mounted scanner, there is no need to constantly stop and reposition the device.
The VLX 3 is equipped with two 32-layer LiDAR scanners , four 20 MP cameras, and an inertial sensor. Each laser can capture up to 1.28 million points per second, with an operating range of up to 50 meters. The manufacturer specifies a local point cloud accuracy of up to 5 mm under defined conditions. The system simultaneously generates panoramic images and determines its position using SLAM technology.
Interestingly, the backpack version of the NavVis VLX 3 is currently available specifically in Europe. The weight of the entire wearable system, with two batteries installed, is approximately 8.5 kg . A single set of batteries lasts for about 1.5 hours of operation.
The scenario plays out essentially like this: a specialist enters the unfinished building and moves through the rooms, corridors, and stairwells, while the system gradually collects spatial data. Once processed, this data can be used to create a digital model and for further work on the project.
The Leica BLK2GO operates right in your hands.
The Leica BLK2GO offers a different approach. It is not a backpack, but a compact handheld 3D scanner . Including the battery, it weighs only about 775 grams . A person can hold the device in one hand and move around the room.
It utilizes LiDAR, a multi-camera system, and an inertial sensor. GRANDSLAM technology enables the simultaneous determination of the scanner's position and the creation of a map of the surrounding environment.
The BLK2GO captures up to 420,000 points per second, has a scanning range of up to 25 meters, and can generate colorized 3D point clouds. Its stated indoor accuracy is approximately ±10 mm.
For a builder, this means the ability to move through a room relatively quickly and obtain a digital representation of it without having to set up the device on a tripod at every point.
Trimble X9 — a classic professional choice
The Trimble X9 differs from the two previous systems. It is not worn on the body or carried in hand while moving; it is a professional terrestrial 3D scanner mounted on a tripod.
However, this approach ensures high accuracy and enables work with large construction sites. The X9 can scan at speeds of up to 1 million points per second, while the X9 Premium configuration offers a maximum range of 150 meters. A single scan can take anywhere from approximately one to six minutes, depending on the mode.
The device features automatic calibration and self-leveling. The data obtained can be used for design, construction progress monitoring, and the verification of completed structures. Trimble also integrates the X9 with FieldLink and Trimble Connect software, enabling the transfer of scan results into the construction workflow.
Three different approaches
These three systems clearly demonstrate the direction in which digital construction is heading.
NavVis VLX 3 — for when you need to quickly scan a large, complex site using a wearable system.
The Leica BLK2GO is a compact option for mobile indoor scanning.
The Trimble X9 is a professional stationary scanner for precise measurements and construction monitoring.
The key change is that a construction site can now be more than just viewed in photographs; it can be transferred to a digital environment, measured, compared against the design, and used as a basis for BIM and subsequent renovation.
Gradually, the 3D scanner is becoming a standard tool on construction sites—much like a laser level or a total station—except that, instead of just a few isolated measurements, it can create a comprehensive digital replica of the space.
Sources:
NavVis VLX 3 — official website
Leica BLK2GO — official website
Trimble X9 — official website
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