Enhanced Site Monitoring: When 360° Makes Everything Simpler

Tōkyū Construction, a construction company based in Shibuya (Tokyo), is renowned for its role in urban development around the tramway lines and across the entire Tokyu network. For complex projects such as the renovation of Shibuya Station on the Ginza Line, sharing site progress with stakeholders is critical — yet it often used to be tedious and lacked visual clarity.

The Challenge: Making the Site Transparent and Easy to Understand

Previously, updates relied on traditional photos or repeated site visits. The result: areas left undocumented, forgotten details, reshoots, and extended meetings — sometimes during limited-access hours, such as late-night train service interruptions.

“With standard photos, we could only see parts of the site — never the full picture. We wouldn’t even realize an angle was missing until we were back on site…”

The Adopted Solution: Integrating the RICOH THETA Camera into Daily Workflow

The RICOH THETA camera quickly became the go-to tool thanks to its ease of use: intuitive, self-sufficient, and crystal-clear.

Implementation:

  • Site managers use the camera themselves to capture key areas.
  • Over 40 projects have already been covered, including the Shibuya station site.
  • In just a few minutes, they create an immersive virtual walkthrough, accessible in meetings or online.

Tangible Benefits Observed

  • Simplified information sharing: real-time synchronization between the site, suppliers, safety managers, and clients — even over video calls.
  • Faster validation: details are immediately visible, avoiding costly back-and-forth.
  • Time savings on documentation: on-site checks have been reduced by 1–2 days per project.
  • Enhanced safety: hazardous zones can be identified via video conferencing without requiring physical presence.
  • Easy internal adoption: positive feedback on the company’s internal portal encouraged widespread usage across the organization.

Why the RICOH THETA Camera Stands Out

  1. Simplicity – no need for a professional photographer or extensive training
  2. Immersion – view the entire site in 360°, with no blind spots
  3. Flexibility – usable day or night thanks to strong low-light performance
  4. Safety & efficiency – assess complex areas remotely without putting teams at risk

In Conclusion

With the RICOH THETA camera, Tōkyū Construction has taken a major step forward in site monitoring:

  • A more visual, more precise process
  • Time savings with fewer site visits
  • Seamless information sharing with all stakeholders
  • Quick adoption thanks to the tool’s simplicity

👉 If you work in construction, site management, or infrastructure, integrating the RICOH THETA camera could transform how you communicate and collaborate. Contact us!

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