Creating a virtual reality environment with a fusion of sUAS and TLS point-clouds

In recent years, immersive virtual reality has been used in disciplines such as engineering, sciences, and education. Point-cloud technologies such as laser scanning and unmanned aerial systems have become important for creating virtual environments. This paper discusses creating virtual environments from 3D point-cloud data suitable for immersive and interactive virtual reality. Both laser scanning and sUAS point-clouds are utilised. These point-clouds are merged using a custom-made algorithm that identifies data gaps in the master dataset (laser scanner) and fills them with data from a slave dataset (sUAS) resulting in a more complete dataset that is used for terrain modelling and 3D modelling of objects. The terrain and 3D objects are then textured with custom-made and free textures to provide a sense of realism in the objects. The created virtual environment is a digital copy of a part of the Penn State Wilkes-Barre campus. This virtual environment will be used in immersive and interactive surveying laboratories to assess the role of immersive virtual reality in surveying engineering education.