nat has received the "Startup Encouragement Award" at the FY2025 Infrastructure DX Awards, organized by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism.
About the Infrastructure DX Awards
The Infrastructure DX Awards is an award program established by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism in fiscal year 2017 as the "i-Construction Awards" with the aim of widely sharing outstanding initiatives aimed at improving productivity at construction sites.
Subsequently, in response to changes in the social challenges and technological environment surrounding infrastructure, the award was renamed the "Infrastructure DX Grand Prize" in fiscal year 2022. It has evolved into a program that encompasses a wide range of DX initiatives, extending beyond mere efficiency improvements at construction sites to include improvements in infrastructure usage and services, as well as efforts in fields outside the construction industry.
Furthermore, recognizing the role of startups in driving recent technological innovation, the “Startup Encouragement Award” has been established to support and stimulate startup initiatives in the infrastructure sector.
We are honored that our efforts have been recognized, and we are pleased to announce that we have been selected to receive this award as a startup company.
Background of the Award
This award recognized our practical efforts to streamline and enhance infrastructure maintenance operations through the use of " Scanat," the 3D scanning app developed and provided by our company.
Although Scanat was originally developed as a 3D scanning app for spatial measurement in the construction and architecture sectors, it has recently seen increasing adoption in the field of infrastructure maintenance—such as roads, tunnels, and pavement— thanks to its key features: rapid 3D modeling, user-friendly operation accessible to anyone using common devices, and instant sharing via the cloud.
One feature that was particularly praised is the ability torecord and save site conditions as 3D models using only an iPhone or iPad, and then use that data to perform measurements, verification, and information sharing all in one seamless process.
Traditional infrastructure maintenance faced challenges such as:
・Multiple site visits for on-site inspections
・Subjective records relying on photographs and handwritten notes
・Re-inspections and rework due to misunderstandings with clients
. As a result, measuring, verifying, and sharing information required significant time and manpower.
By Scanat, we can capture the entire site as-is in 3D data, creating an environment where clients and contractors can view the same data to measure distances and assess the site’s condition.
This approach reduces the need for on-site visits, streamlines verification processes, and enhances information sharing.
Furthermore, in infrastructure maintenance operations such as partial pavement repairs (patching), we have contributed to both labor savings and quality improvement by implementing the following systems:
— Visualization and management of the finished work site in 3D;
— Digitization of work scope and quantity tracking;
— A system that facilitates smooth communication with clients;
.
These initiatives do not require expensive specialized equipment or advanced technical expertise; rather, they represent a "practical approach to digital transformation utilizing everyday devices." They were recognized for their high reproducibility in the infrastructure maintenance sector, which led to this award.
Click here for the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism's detailed page
Looking Ahead
As the issue of aging infrastructure continues to grow, sustaining maintenance operations with limited personnel remains a common challenge for local governments and businesses across the country.
Moving forward, we will continue to contribute to accelerating infrastructure maintenance throughout Japan, focusing on "DX that is actually used on-site and delivers results."
We look forward to your continued support.
Please be sure to check out the press release as well.
