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The use of 3D files in various fields has become increasingly popular in the US. Workers increasingly rely on 3D files to assess construction projects, understand natural disaster damage, and map crime scenes. However, the challenges of sharing, analysing, and viewing these files have become more apparent.
Many cloud service providers are not compatible with 3D files, requiring users to download them onto desktop 3D apps to preview. Several cloud service providers also offer support for 3D file formats, enabling users to store, manage, and collaborate on 3D files in the cloud. It makes collaboration easier if everyone is using the same computer.
Further, standardising 3D file compatibility across cloud services could improve workflow efficiency and reduce reliance on specific software or platforms. It would allow users to access and work with 3D files seamlessly from any device, encouraging innovation and the development of new tools and applications that leverage 3D content in cloud environments.
Stitch3D, founded by Clark Yuan, an MBA graduate from the class of 2022, is dedicated to tackling these challenges through its innovative cloud-based platform. This platform empowers users to effortlessly manage, analyse, and seamlessly share 3D files, regardless of their size or format.
At its core, Stitch3D offers a suite of robust tools designed for collaboration, enabling teams to work together seamlessly. Additionally, it provides advanced visualisation capabilities accessible from any browser or mobile device, ensuring flexibility and accessibility. Notably, the platform also features the unique capability of layering 3D scans onto real-world maps, enhancing its utility for various applications. Yuan describes Stitch3D as having three layers of technology:
- A secure file-sharing base layer
- A web browser-based 3D viewer with analysis capabilities
- A forthcoming mobile application revolutionises hones with light detection utilising (lidar) sensors
h3D works with land and aerial surveyors, architects, and construction firms. Yuan believes that as 3D sensors become cheaper and more ubiquitous, new 3D use cases will emerge, making 3D data mainstream within the next few years.
Stitch3D’s inception was sparked by a need highlighted during the investigation of a fire on the U.S. Navy’s USS Bonhomme Richard ship. Yuan, a former U.S. Army member, participated in an accelerator with the Navy in 2020, where he developed the idea for a cloud-based 3D sharing system. He later refined the concept during his time at MIT Sloan School of Management, where he received guidance from the Venture Mentoring Service (VMS) and financial support from MIT Sandbox.
The increasing affordability of 3D sensors, including the introduction of lidar sensors in smartphones like the iPhone 12, has contributed to the growth of 3D data generation. Yuan sees this trend as an opportunity for industries to leverage 3D data for various applications.
Stitch3D’s platform can instantly create 3D models from scans and provide high-end, valuable analytics for different industries. For example, surveyors can use the platform to obtain measurements and angles from their scans, connect 3D data to satellite imagery for context, and visualise feature classes like buildings, vegetation, and water.
Stitch3D has expanded its base beyond land surveyors to include law enforcement agencies, insurers, and construction firms, in addition to its work with the Air Force and the Department of Defence. Yuan envisions that as sharing 3D data becomes more accessible, Stitch3D’s technology will help accelerate the proliferation of 3D data across industries.
Looking ahead, Yuan believes that the possibilities for 3D data are vast. He envisions a future where 3D technology replaces traditional photography and videography, enabling faster and more detailed documentation of events like traffic accidents and crime scenes. This, in turn, would allow emergency responders to focus more on responding to emergencies rather than documenting evidence.
