Joint Initiative Launched with Shinwa Gijutsu Co., Ltd. on an XR Review Environment for Bridge Engineering

Visualizing exactly how a site "looks," with a common view for design studies and consensus building on PC and Meta Quest

Play video

Shinwa Gijutsu Co., Ltd. (headquarters: Hiroshima City; CEO: Yasukuni Kanda; hereinafter "Shinwa Gijutsu"), in collaboration with World Area Networks Co., Ltd. (headquarters: Hiroshima City; CEO: Ayumu Mitani; hereinafter "WAN"), has begun building a review environment that applies the technology and knowledge it has developed in bridge design to XR. Based on site data captured by drones and other means, the companies are developing a "common view" that lets stakeholders compare design options from the same viewpoint, and will gradually roll out an experience that can be shared on PC and Meta Quest, whether in a meeting room, on site, or remotely.

Background

In bridge design, a variety of structural types are considered, taking into account factors such as "harmony with the landscape" and "safety and construction considerations." It is also necessary to explain the plans to local residents near the bridge construction site and gain their understanding. However, there is a problem: during these studies and explanations, differences in understanding easily arise among the parties involved. Drawing on the technology and knowledge it has cultivated in practical work on bridge design, repair, reinforcement, and drafting, centered on PC (prestressed concrete) bridge superstructures, Shinwa Gijutsu is working on visualization that makes sure everyone receives the same message. By partnering with WAN, whose strength lies in implementing XR and 3D visualization, and by providing an "experience that makes things clear" first rather than relying on detailed explanations, the initiative aims to improve both the quality and speed of consensus building.

Aims of this initiative

This initiative aims to visualize site data captured by drones and other means in 3D with realistic textures, so that rivers, embankments, and the surrounding environment can be grasped intuitively. It will also provide a review experience in which bridge models and design options can be switched and compared from the same viewpoint, making it easier for stakeholders to share the same assumptions.
In addition, by making it possible to reproduce the same experience on both PC and Meta Quest, it will create an environment where people can "talk while looking at the same screen," whether in meetings, on site, or remotely.

Structure (division of roles)

Shinwa Gijutsu Co., Ltd.
Provides the technical expertise and knowledge cultivated in practical bridge design, repair, reinforcement, and drafting work, and organizes the review perspectives.
The company is involved in designing more than 100 bridges a year, centered on prestressed concrete (PC) bridge superstructures.

World Area Networks Co., Ltd.
Experience design, UI/UX, and display optimization for the XR review environment; multi-device implementation; and support for launching operations.

Expected use cases

• Design review / VE: Clarify the issues by comparing superstructure and repair options while looking at them
• Explanations to residents and consensus among stakeholders: Share how the site actually looks to reduce gaps in understanding
• Maintenance planning: Share assumptions that are hard to convey, such as access constraints, visibility, and occupancy
• Education and knowledge transfer: Share the key points of judgment through immersive experiences to reduce reliance on specific individuals

Comments

Yasukuni Kanda, CEO, Shinwa Gijutsu Co., Ltd.
"By bringing on-site knowledge and evaluation perspectives from the bridge field into XR, we will align how information is conveyed in design, explanation, and maintenance. Together, we will shape a review environment that can be used continuously from a practitioner's point of view."

Ayumu Mitani, CEO, World Area Networks Co., Ltd.
"Seeing the same thing from every perspective changes decision-making. Before explaining detailed features, we will standardize experiences that make things clear, and expand collaboration in the civil engineering field around a common view."

Company information

Shinwa Gijutsu Co., Ltd.
Address: 2-2-4 Hikarimachi, Higashi-ku, Hiroshima City, Hiroshima Prefecture
Representative: Yasukuni Kanda, CEO
Business: Bridge design centered on PC bridge superstructures, repair and reinforcement, drafting, etc. (design track record of more than 100 bridges a year)
URL: shinwa-eng.site

World Area Networks Co., Ltd.
Address: The Garden Place Kamiyacho 5F, 2-2-13 Otemachi, Naka-ku, Hiroshima City, Hiroshima Prefecture
Representative: Ayumu Mitani, CEO
Business: CG production / VR and XR / video production / web production / system development, etc.
URL: wan-hiroshima.jp

Inquiries about this release

Company: Shinwa Gijutsu Co., Ltd.

Address: 2-2-4 Hikarimachi, Higashi-ku, Hiroshima City, Hiroshima Prefecture

Contact: https://www.shinwa-eng.site/contact