3D Urban Digital Twinning on the Web with Low-Cost Technology: 3D Geospatial Data and IoT Integration for Wellness Monitoring

Abstract

Recent advances in computer science and geomatics have enabled the digitalization of complex two-dimensional and three-dimensional spatial environments and the sharing of geospatial data on the web. Simultaneously, the widespread adoption of Internet of Things (IoT) technology has facilitated the rapid deployment of low-cost sensor networks in various scientific applications. The integration of real-time IoT data acquisition in 3D urban environments lays the foundation for the development of Urban Digital Twins. This work proposes a possible low-cost solution as a sample of a structure for 3D digital twinning on the web, presenting a case study related to weather monitoring analysis. Specifically, an indoor-outdoor environmental conditions monitoring system integrated with 3D geospatial data on a 3D WebGIS platform was developed. This solution can be considered as a first step for monitoring human and environmental wellness within a geospatial analysis system that integrates several open-source modules that provide different kinds of information (geospatial data, 3D models, and IoT acquisition). The structure of this system can be valuable for municipalities and private stakeholders seeking to conduct environmental geospatial analysis using cost-effective solutions.