What capture method fits the job: 360 walks, drones, laser scans, or fixed cameras?

Why it matters: OpenSpace and DroneDeploy Ground use 360 walks; DroneDeploy Aerial and Propeller use drones; Cintoo manages terrestrial laser scans from any scanner brand; Track3D unifies reality capture data from several sources. In the demo: Match the method to the question you need answered (interior progress, earthwork volumes, as-built geometry) before choosing a vendor.

Is a BIM model required?

Why it matters: Track3D and OpenSpace Track say no BIM is required; DroneDeploy says Progress AI needs no 3D model. Buildots describes connecting BIM, schedule, and site data. In the demo: If you have no coordinated model, ask to see the pilot run on drawings and the schedule only.

How fast does progress data come back after capture?

Why it matters: Track3D states visuals in 30 minutes and progress in 6 hours (conditions apply). OpenSpace says Track reports arrive in 24-48 hours and uses AI with human review. In the demo: Ask whether the turnaround is guaranteed, and whether a human reviews results.

What is progress measured against?

Why it matters: OpenSpace Track lists P6, MS Project, Asta, and Excel schedules. Track3D ties installed work to cost codes. Buildots compares the site to the plan. In the demo: Bring your actual schedule file and confirm activities map without rework.

How will you check accuracy?

Why it matters: Vendors make claims (for example, Buildots says up to 50% fewer delays); none has been verified by us. In the demo: Have a superintendent walk one floor or area by hand and compare percent complete with the tool's report.

Why it matters: OpenSpace prices on annual construction volume and tier, with Track as an add-on. DroneDeploy quotes team plans and lists an individual pilot plan at $4,188/year. Cintoo describes an unlimited-users model. Others do not list prices. In the demo: Get the post-pilot price in writing before the pilot starts.

Home / Guides / Planning a reality capture or AI progress-tracking pilot

Planning a reality capture or AI progress-tracking pilot

A planning checklist for a construction-phase pilot of reality capture or AI progress tracking. These are Means & Methods Lab suggestions, not findings: none of these tools has been tested by us. Vendor references paraphrase what each vendor publishes (checked Oct 14, 2026). Desk research, not tested.

SUGGESTIONS, NOT FINDINGS. No tool has been tested by Means & Methods Lab. Vendor facts are desk research from vendor websites and are not verified. Updated 2026-10-14.

The questions (6)

Q01What capture method fits the job: 360 walks, drones, laser scans, or fixed cameras?
WHY IT MATTERS · OpenSpace and DroneDeploy Ground use 360 walks; DroneDeploy Aerial and Propeller use drones; Cintoo manages terrestrial laser scans from any scanner brand; Track3D unifies reality capture data from several sources.
IN THE DEMO · Match the method to the question you need answered (interior progress, earthwork volumes, as-built geometry) before choosing a vendor.
Q02Is a BIM model required?
WHY IT MATTERS · Track3D and OpenSpace Track say no BIM is required; DroneDeploy says Progress AI needs no 3D model. Buildots describes connecting BIM, schedule, and site data.
IN THE DEMO · If you have no coordinated model, ask to see the pilot run on drawings and the schedule only.
Q03How fast does progress data come back after capture?
WHY IT MATTERS · Track3D states visuals in 30 minutes and progress in 6 hours (conditions apply). OpenSpace says Track reports arrive in 24-48 hours and uses AI with human review.
IN THE DEMO · Ask whether the turnaround is guaranteed, and whether a human reviews results.
Q04What is progress measured against?
WHY IT MATTERS · OpenSpace Track lists P6, MS Project, Asta, and Excel schedules. Track3D ties installed work to cost codes. Buildots compares the site to the plan.
IN THE DEMO · Bring your actual schedule file and confirm activities map without rework.
Q05How will you check accuracy?
WHY IT MATTERS · Vendors make claims (for example, Buildots says up to 50% fewer delays); none has been verified by us.
IN THE DEMO · Have a superintendent walk one floor or area by hand and compare percent complete with the tool's report.
Q06How is it priced?
WHY IT MATTERS · OpenSpace prices on annual construction volume and tier, with Track as an add-on. DroneDeploy quotes team plans and lists an individual pilot plan at $4,188/year. Cintoo describes an unlimited-users model. Others do not list prices.
IN THE DEMO · Get the post-pilot price in writing before the pilot starts.

What to bring

The current schedule file (P6, MS Project, or Excel).
Drawings and, if you have one, the BIM model.
One area where a superintendent will record progress by hand for comparison.
The person who will do the weekly capture, and their time budget.

Sources

OpenSpace Track https://www.openspace.ai/products/progress-tracking/
Track3D https://track3d.ai
DroneDeploy pricing https://www.dronedeploy.com/pricing
Cintoo https://cintoo.com/en/

Tools mentioned (alphabetical, not ranked)

Buildots · Progress tracking
Cintoo · Reality capture data platform
Doxel · Progress tracking
DroneDeploy · Reality capture (aerial & ground)
OpenSpace · Reality capture & progress
Propeller · Drone survey & earthwork measurement
Track3D · Progress tracking

Side-by-side comparisons

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