Hexagon AB Acquires Existing Partner LocLab

STOCKHOLM, Dec. 29, 2022 — Digital reality solutions company Hexagon AB acquired LocLab, a German company that specializes in 3D digital twin content creation. The acquisition follows a previously announced partnership between the companies.

Terms of the deal were not released.

In October, Hexagon — through its Geosystems division — and LocLab partnered to increase the automation of 3D digital twin creation by using reality capture solutions and making digital twins seamlessly accessible to customers by connecting them with HxDR, Hexagon’s cloud-based storage, visualization, and collaboration platform for reality capture and geospatial data.

AI software compares detected objects with LocLab’s object library of 3D elements, including street objects, building components, and rail equipment, to semi-automate the creation of an enriched 3D model — in other words, adding context and descriptive elements. The solution supports the transportation industry, including the rail transportation sector. Courtesy of Hexagon AB.

According to Hexagon, the acquisition strengthens its ability to make its digital twin solution — “Smart Digital Reality” — more accessible to customers while providing LocLab’s customers with a platform for hosting, sharing, and keeping 3D digital twins up to date.

AdTech Ceramics - Ceramic Packages 1-24 MR

Hexagon President and CEO Ola Rollén said, “The integration of LocLab’s 3D digital content with HxDR, our cloud-based storage, visualization, and collaboration platform, will drive HxDR’s expansion as a leading digital reality platform within transportation, construction, urban planning, and many other industries.”

LocLab’s technology supports digital twin creation enabled by automation using workflows and AI. The company’s in-house developed toolchain can leverage several data input formats to balance speed, cost, and accuracy — for example, terrestrial videogrammetry, survey data, and point clouds — but only requires photographs or videos at minimum. LocLab’s AI software compares detected objects with its object library of 3D elements, including street objects, building components, rail equipment, and more, to semi-automate the creation of a 3D model.

LocLab will operate as part of Hexagon’s geosystems division.

About Hexagon AB

Published: December 2022

Glossary

digital twin: A digital twin refers to a virtual representation or digital counterpart of a physical object, system, or process. This digital replica is created using real-time data and simulation models, allowing for the monitoring, analysis, and optimization of the corresponding physical entity. Digital twins are used in various industries to gain insights, improve performance, and enhance decision-making processes. Key characteristics and concepts associated with digital twins include: Virtual...
computer vision: Computer vision enables computers to interpret and make decisions based on visual data, such as images and videos. It involves the development of algorithms, techniques, and systems that enable machines to gain an understanding of the visual world, similar to how humans perceive and interpret visual information. Key aspects and tasks within computer vision include: Image recognition: Identifying and categorizing objects, scenes, or patterns within images. This involves training algorithms...
artificial intelligence: The ability of a machine to perform certain complex functions normally associated with human intelligence, such as judgment, pattern recognition, understanding, learning, planning, and problem solving.
machine vision: Machine vision, also known as computer vision or computer sight, refers to the technology that enables machines, typically computers, to interpret and understand visual information from the world, much like the human visual system. It involves the development and application of algorithms and systems that allow machines to acquire, process, analyze, and make decisions based on visual data. Key aspects of machine vision include: Image acquisition: Machine vision systems use various...
photogrammetry: Photogrammetry is a technique used to obtain accurate three-dimensional measurements of objects and environments through the analysis of photographs or imagery. It involves extracting information about the shape, size, and spatial properties of physical objects or scenes from photographs taken from different viewpoints. The word "photogrammetry" is derived from the Greek words "photos" (light) and "gramma" (drawing or measurement). The process of photogrammetry typically involves the...
point cloud: A point cloud is a set of data points in a three-dimensional coordinate system, where each point represents a specific location in space. These points are typically obtained through various sensing techniques such as lidar (light detection and ranging), photogrammetry, structured light scanning, or 3D scanning. Each point in a point cloud is defined by its spatial coordinates (x, y, z), representing its position in three-dimensional space, as well as potentially additional attributes such as...

Browse Cameras & Imaging, Lasers, Optical Components, Test & Measurement, and more.