AR/VR-based remote collaboration system for automated impact acoustic inspection of concrete infrastructure
Jigu Lee,Junyeon Chung,Kiyoung Kim,Zhanxiong Ma,Semi Kim,Sejin Jang,Jaehyeok Jeong,Jaegwon Jeong,Hoon Sohn
Abstract
To go beyond vision-based surface defect inspection techniques for concrete structures, immersive 3D collaborative environments that enable remote inspections are being actively studied. This paper proposes a real-time remote collaboration system for the automated assessment of concrete infrastructure by combining augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) technologies with impact acoustic inspection. By connecting to a human-in-the-loop framework, a field inspector (onsite AR operator) and an office manager (remote VR expert) can collaborate in real time during the inspection process. The system objectively detects internal defects in concrete by analyzing acoustic signals, thereby reducing human errors inherent in conventional hammer-sounding methods. The automated 3Dannotation feature of the proposed system enables a real-time visualization of defects within a digital model, minimizing discrepancies between actual inspection points and recorded data. Enhanced remote collaboration using AR and VR facilitates intuitive interactions between on-site inspectors and remote experts within a shared virtual environment, effectively reducing the reliance on large expert teams. An experimental validation conducted in a tunnel demonstrated the effectiveness of the system, in which an on-site inspector equipped with an AR headset and a remote expert with a VR device collaboratively performed the inspections. Our integrated system represents a viable framework for the automated inspection of concrete infrastructure.
(1) Jigu Lee, Kiyoung Kim, Hoon Sohn — Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, Daejeon, Republic of Korea
(2) Junyeon Chung — Infre Digital Twin Group, Samsung Electronics, Hwaseong, Republic of Korea
(3) Zhanxiong Ma — College of Civil Engineering and Mechanics, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, Gansu, China
(4) Semi Kim, Sejin Jang — Center for National Strategic Technology and Policy, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, Daejeon, Republic of Korea
(5) Jaehyeok Jeong — Digital Convergence Center Metaverse Business Team, Sejong Technopark, Sejong, Republic of Korea
(6) Jaegwon Jeong — Global R&D Center, SQ Engineering, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
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