By: Joshua Finley

Digital twin technologies aren’t simply the realm of futuristic idealism. They’re becoming an integral part of future-proofed surveying and spatial data practices, as Braden Corfield of Sonto explains.

Sonto is a progressive surveying firm based in South-East Queensland. With Corfield at the helm as General Manager, he understands how this technological advancement has the potential to enhance and improve the design and construction industries.

The Rise of Digital Twin Technologies

Digital twins are highly accurate, real-time digital representations of physical assets, environments, or systems. As virtual replicas, digital twins are continuously updated using information from various sources, including IoT sensors and real-time monitoring systems. Braden Corfield explains this fascinating technology:

“Digital twins help us bridge the gap between the physical and digital worlds. They’re quickly becoming key tools for our industry and our clients, enabling my team to simulate and optimise designs before a single shovel hits the ground.”

The way digital twin technology can enable better outcomes for every stakeholder in a construction development is remarkable. Through creating a virtual replica of a project, every member of a project team can monitor construction progress in near-real-time and predict issues before they become problems. This proactive approach may save time and money, while significantly reducing the risk of expensive errors and delays.

Enhanced Collaboration and Efficiency

According to Corfield, one of the significant benefits of digital twins is their ability to enhance collaboration among various teams involved in a construction project.

“With a single source of truth, working together is so much simpler,” he notes. The improved level of collaboration leads to more efficient project management and better outcomes for clients.

Digital twin technology’s potential extends beyond just the construction phase. Digital twins can be used throughout the entire lifecycle of a building or infrastructure project, from initial design to ongoing maintenance and eventual decommissioning. This holistic approach could enable improved long-term planning and more sustainable development practices.

Ethical Considerations in the Digital Age

While Corfield is enthusiastic about the potential of digital twins and other advanced surveying technologies, he’s equally focused on the ethical implications associated with deploying digital twin technology. “We have to consider what happens with the data we collect,” he warns. “We must confront, and answer, the questions of privacy, data ownership, and responsible use.”

Corfield advocates for transparency in data collection processes and robust data security measures. “Our future in surveying isn’t just about how much more detailed data we can get,” he says, “it’s about how we use and protect it too.”

The Future of Surveying

Corfield’s vision extends beyond traditional surveying applications. He sees spatial data as a powerful tool that can enrich and support many different types of projects across various industries. “Spatial data gives you precise location information,” he explains. “When you combine that with other business data, your business can make better decisions, and very often, discover new growth opportunities.”

Sonto’s continued evolution reflects its commitment to innovation and growth. The team has grown from a small group of four to a multidisciplinary powerhouse of more than 40 professionals. “We’ve redefined what it means to be a leader in the surveying and spatial data industry,” he states.

Looking ahead, Corfield envisions Sonto becoming an Australia-wide survey and spatial data provider. Corfield’s ambitious goal is supported by the company’s commitment to innovation and continuous improvement. From 3D scanning and LiDAR to drone technology and mobile mapping, Sonto constantly explores new ways to deliver value to its clients. Corfield believes that the next step is to make this data more accessible to non-experts through easy-to-use tools, further democratising the power of spatial information.

The future of surveying, as envisioned by Corfield, is one where technology and human expertise work hand in hand to create more efficient, sustainable, and innovative solutions. As he puts it, “The surveyor of the future will not just be a data collector but a spatial data consultant, working closely with architects, engineers, builders, and project managers to optimize design and construction processes.”

With leaders like Braden Corfield at the helm, the surveying industry appears to be headed toward a future that is as exciting as it is transformative. The world of spatial data has the potential to evolve significantly. For more insights, connect with Braden Corfield on LinkedIn.

Published by Iris S.