AI-driven 3D scanning company – NavLive – has launched Control Points, a new capability designed to improve the accuracy and reliability of 3D scans used by construction, architecture and surveying teams.
The feature introduces a faster, integrated method for anchoring scans to real-world coordinates, reducing drift and alignment issues that can lead to costly errors, rework or repeat site visits.
Control Points enables users to log survey markers in real time during scanning, as well as import external ground-truth coordinates directly into the NavLive Portal. Once captured, scans can be aligned using two approaches: rigid alignment, which positions the entire model without altering the point cloud, or an optimised non-rigid alignment that adjusts the dataset to ensure both captured and imported coordinates match with higher precision.
By anchoring scans to verified reference points, the workflow helps eliminate cumulative drift that can occur when scanning large or complex environments. It also enables multiple scans to be merged into a single, consistent coordinate framework. The release also introduces visual verification tools that clearly indicate alignment quality and accuracy, allowing teams to validate their datasets with confidence before progressing to downstream workflows.
Built on NavLive’s AI-driven, multi-sensor reality capture technology, Control Points strengthens data integrity from the moment of capture. This reduces post-processing effort and supports more reliable outcomes across planning, BIM coordination and digital twin creation. The capability has been developed in close collaboration with architecture, engineering and surveying professionals who rely on dependable, real-world accuracy for design, measurement and compliance workflows.
Integrated directly into the NavLive Portal, it is designed to support fast-moving construction programmes, multidisciplinary design teams and long-term monitoring projects where verified data is critical.
“Precision is everything in construction and surveying. Even small amounts of drift can undermine decisions later in a project. Control Points allows teams a fast and dependable way to ground every scan to real-world truth, whether they need quick alignment of a single capture or combining multiple datasets.
“It brings together the speed of mobile LiDAR with the accuracy of traditional survey methods, giving users data they can trust without slowing their workflow from first capture to final model.”
Chris Davison, CEO, NavLive
With offices in Oxford and London, NavLive is an AI-driven 3D scanning company that allows users to scan any building and produce precise site drawings in real time. Led by CEO Chris Davison, the company launched with £4m funding from deep-tech investor OSE, with participation from SOSV, Oxford Capital Partners, Clearance Venture Partners, AE Works, Britbots, Oxford Innovation Finance, as well as a ~£700K Innovate UK grant.
