Yokogawa Bridge Corporation introduced an avatar-based meeting system in 2022 to improve structural reviews of steel bridges in Japan. Before fabrication, design and manufacturing staff inspect shared bridge models, assess component fit and the practicality of welding and painting, and discuss construction safety. Participants can examine the model from their own position and viewing angle, rather than following a single view on a meeting-room screen.
The deployment uses iQ3 Connect Teams, with Myrtos identified as its authorized Japanese distributor. Browser-based access supports VR headsets, computers and tablets. Headset users see structures at full size, while remote participants meet as avatars in the same scene. Teams can also bring site point clouds into reviews of existing bridges to assess their condition and compatibility with proposed new components. Measurement and whiteboard tools support the discussion.
This builds on Yokogawa’s existing 3D production workflow, including its CastarJupiter system, rather than replacing an exclusively paper-based process. The company’s case sheet reports easier identification of construction issues and faster agreement between participants. It also identifies equipment preparation and users’ ability to operate within the VR model as practical challenges.
An April 2025 industry report describes the system being used on actual projects. The vendor reports reduced rework, travel and review effort, but the reviewed evidence provides no deployment-specific percentages, user totals or monetary savings. The record concerns collaborative bridge review; the company’s separate VR safety-training and AR construction tools are distinct deployments.
