Introduction

This document contains frequently asked questions about the Looq platform including hardware and software systems, integration capabilities, helpful information for using the camera (qCam), and more.  

About the Looq Platform

The Looq Platform is hand-held capture from the ground. This is spatial intelligence for critical infrastructure. The Looq platform helps users accelerate work with a seamless process for capturing, analyzing, and delivering reliable data. This is camera-based data capture technology supported by sophisticated AI algorithms and providing superior spatial resolution and rapid data processing. The Looq Platform provides one of the most capable 3D computer vision algorithms available to date. Specifically, it consists of three key components:  

Easy and Fast Capture with the qCam

• Proprietary 3D capture technology based on imagery and GPS.  
• Handheld or pole- mounted camera with integrated survey-grade GPS, and an AI processor.  
• Capture field data within minutes with survey-grade accuracy.    

AI-enabled Processing with qAI

• Captured data is uploaded to the cloud where a proprietary and fundamental image to model (photogrammetry) algorithm (qAI) runs a complex analysis to automatically construct a high precision, sub-centimeter, and geo-referenced point clouds and 2D composite images of field data.  
• Automatically segments the geometrically accurate model and extracts critical asset semantic and geometric features to enable engineering workflows.  

Web Viewing and Collaboration with the qApp

• All coordination, visualization, and data distribution takes place in the web application.
• Project teams and users virtually visit the physical assets and complete engineering work (e.g., view georeferenced data in 2D/3D, measure, extract, and export features).  

Use Cases for the Looq Platform

Surveying & Mapping  

The Looq Platform supports a wide range of surveying applications, including residential, commercial, and ALTA surveys; urban roadways and intersections; boundary, plat, and right-of-way documentation; subsurface and overhead utility surveys; oil and gas site surveys; and general surface and feature mapping.  

Engineering  

The Looq Platform supports multiple engineering workflows across power distribution, telecommunications, construction, and oil and gas. Representative applications include bid walks and virtual site visits; base mapping and documentation of existing conditions for telecommunications sites, overhead power lines, substations, manholes, vaults, and oil and gas facilities; and delivery of structured, PLA-ready data for overhead utilities.  

Frequently Asked Questions

Capturing with the qCam

Can you capture transmission & distribution overhead?

Yes. The Looq platform provides up to a 10x improvement in fielding time-which, for example, reduces a multi-hour as-built survey with a total station of a transmission pole to 1 – 2 minutes per pole capture.  

The technology provides orders of magnitude for field assessment improvements, in terms of speed and quality, and unites downstream applications with a single and easy to use one-stop solution.    

• Update existing asset management databases,  
• Use for preparation of data for pole-load analysis  
• Use as a trustworthy record that can be survey certified for an as built.  

Can you capture power lines?

Yes. The hardware and software combination of the Looq platform is capable of reconstructing power lines.

Can you capture details on cross lines of power poles?

Although Looq recommends performing captures parallel to power lines for the best results, our      technology is capable of reconstructing cross lines under most circumstances.

Can you zoom in on insulators of power poles?

Image resolution and zoom capability will depend on the distance from the user to the insulator, but users following Looq’s recommended capture procedures will be able to zoom in on insulators using the qApp.

Can this be used for electrical undergrounding projects?

Yes. Capture everything needed to support mapping for undergrounding projects all at once.  

Does the qCam work underground?

Yes. While the capture for below ground begins above ground, the built-in strobe lights of the camera can work in small, enclosed spaces (e.g. manhole and vault imaging) to generate survey and as-builts.

Can I capture substations?

Yes. You can capture site and substation existing conditions for base mapping and pre-design/preliminary design work. Small substations can be captured without entering, but Looq recommends gaining access to larger sites.

Can I capture indoor areas?

Not currently supported.

Can I capture utility mark-out information?

Yes. The high-resolution outputs can expose utility mark out information.

Data and Integration Capabilities

What types of data exports do you support?

The Looq Platform supports the following formats:

• Point Clouds: LAZ
• Nadir (ortho-style) Imagery: TIFF
• Panoramas: JPG
• Track: JSON

What are the available integrations?

For any future/forward looking statements, please reference the Looq AI Safe Harbor Statement.

• Neara - complete
• OCalc-Pro – anticipated Q2 2026
• SPIDACalc – anticipated Q2 2026
• PLS-CADD – anticipated Q4 2026
• PoleForeman – no ETA
• Quick Pole –no ETA

Looq AI is committed to providing integrations that are most used and anticipates that the following integrations will be available at some point in the future: GIS integrations into ESRI applications, and additional planimetric integrations for topographic mapping. No release date is confirmed for these integrations.

Does the data natively export to survey/civil planimetric applications?

Yes. The Looq Platform exports standard geospatial formats—including classified LAZ point clouds and orthorectified TIFF imagery—that are compatible with common planimetric workflows. These formats support feature extraction for civil engineering deliverables such as curb lines, pavement edges, striping, signage, and other surface features.  

Looq data can be imported into tools such as TopoDOT (for MicroStation-based feature extraction) and AutoCAD Civil 3D or Autodesk ReCap (for design and visualization). Looq exports georeferenced, survey-grade outputs compatible with Trimble Business Center. Outputs (LAZ point clouds and orthophotos) are optimized for fast integration into TBC workflows. High accuracy of georeferencing and ground classification ensure smooth handoff into these environments without the need for custom conversion or reprocessing.

Can I export an LAS file or classified point cloud through the web UI?

Yes. The Looq Platform automatically provides classified and geo-referenced .laz files through the qApp.

Where is the data stored and managed?

Looq AI technology is designed and assembled in the United States. Looq provides a secure environment for your data. Data processing and storage is securely managed using Amazon AWS. Amazon AWS provides data centers located within the United States. Working in this environment ensures that all data stays within these locations.

Hardware/Software Capabilities

What are the power requirements?

The camera uses a standard 99wh (TSA compliant) V-mount 14.8V battery, that connects via a custom XT60 cord to the camera. You can purchase additional batteries directly from SmallRig.

How long does the battery last?

The battery will last 3 to 4 hours in the field. The battery should be charged for several hours prior to taking it into the field.

Is the device able to charge the attached cell phone?

The camera (qCam) does not need to be charged. However, the battery that connects to the camera will need to be charged. Additionally, once the mobile device is connected to the camera, the mobile device can be charged via the camera.

Can I use iPad instead of iPhone?

Yes. However, an iPhone is currently preferred, as an iPad would add extra weight to the camera, and this might make it difficult to use for an extended period.

Will the qCam or the phone shut off in extreme temperatures (e.g. heat and cold)?

The recommended operating temperature is 0º to 35º Celsius (32º to 95º Fahrenheit). The qCam has a fan built into the system to avoid overheating. The iPhone, however, might overheat or freeze and turn off. If that should occur, please let your phone cool/warm and then pick up where the scan interruption occurred.

Does the qCam require an active internet connection for any reason?

No. The camera does not require an active internet connection. All data is stored locally on the device, and GPS corrections are run in the cloud as a post-processing step. No real-time internet is required. For data upload, it is recommended that you have a high-speed data connectivity at an office where the camera can connect to Wi-Fi and upload directly. If this is not an option, Looq also supports data download from the camera to a desktop computer where it can be uploaded using a wireless or wired connection.

Is the qCam both hand-held and mountable?

Handheld collect is what most Looq customers default to capture reliable data:  

• Pole tags that are sometimes on the opposite side of the road
• Bottom of pole that is not visible due to a ditch/vegetation

The run-rates Looq sees typically when capturing by foot are ~250 poles/day, and ~450 poles/day for hybrid vehicle/walking. Looq anticipates having software updates in the future that will allow ~20+mph to collect with the same hardware.

Does the Looq hardware store 270-degree panos on the device? What is stored on the device after a capture is performed?

The camera encrypts all sensory data on the device (.lmr file) per capture. This data gets synchronized to the cloud when the camera is connected to a Wi-Fi network. 270-degree panos are not stored on the device; instead, they are created during the qAI cloud processing. Raw imagery and uncorrected GNSS records are stored on the device.  

What is the resolution?

The qCam provides resolution up to 100MP, available for certain applications upon request.  

How accurate is the Point Cloud?

As an internal test, Looq AI conducted tests against terrestrial lidar scans, as well as a set of exterior survey markers placed by a licensed land-surveyor, to validate global positioning accuracy. Relative accuracies are on the order of 2-5mm (about 0.2 in), and global positioning with the Looq AI PPP/PPK solution is on the order of 2-5cm (about 1.97 in) Root Mean Square (RMS) with a reference station within 10km and no ground control. With ground control, our clients see residuals under a tenth of a foot (< 3cm). Looq AI is continuously working on algorithmic improvements that will continue to improve accuracy. The Looq team is happy to work with clients on benchmarking and encourages our clients to conduct tests.  

Can you merge multiple point clouds?

Looq intends to support the automated merging of multiple captures. The high-accuracy GNSS module decreases the need for this because captures are automatically positioned correctly globally. Looq also supports the use of external survey field measurement (ground control points) to align captures.  

Using the Camera (qCam)

How should I move the qCam while capturing imagery?

Walk at a regular pace with the qCam pointed directly in front of you for an area to capture. Walk in a lawn mower / grid pattern with 5 – 10m spacing between passes to cover an area. Refer to the image below for a visual guide. For a point of interest, the best practice is described below. Try to maintain as much distance as possible from the GPS antenna (bump at the top of the qCam) to avoid blocking incoming satellite signals.

What does the qCam see?

The qCam picks up everything you see on your screen (phone/tablet). Final output will omit most people and vehicles; privacy laws are strictly upheld.

Does the screen need to be closely monitored to ensure consistent scene capture?

The field of view (FOV) is 270 degrees and while not 360 degrees it is still very wide. The operator does not need to continuously look at the screen because it is a natural way of capturing the data as users will see testing the demo device.

Is the qCam auto leveling? What are the tolerances/requirements for the device’s pitch/roll during collection?

Image alignment algorithms will estimate the device's position. While we encourage holding the device like a cup of coffee and moving somewhat steadily, holding it at any angle (even upside down), works fine. You can hold the camera underneath parked cars when needing to capture manhole covers.  Access the user manual which shows in more detail how the capture flow and instructions work.

What does GPS accuracy mean?

There are three different GPS-related messages that you will see in the capture UI screen: Fix, Float, and Autonomous.

• Fix (Great) is recommended for best results and should result in cm-level geospatial accuracy for the scan.
• Float (Moderate) means that the device is still working on obtaining a fixed position, and the resulting geospatial accuracy of the scan will be reduced (10cm+ accuracy).
• Autonomous (Limited): means that the device is not receiving corrections of any kind and is relying on raw GNSS signals (1m+ accuracy).

What is the distance that the qCam can capture?

The qCam has a range of approximately 30 meters depending on the geometry of the images collected during capture.

Should I tilt the qCam while recording?

The qCam should be held up as though you were holding a coffee cup, but you can elevate or lower it partially to capture according to your specific needs.

Will I be able to erase the user’s limbs if they are accidentally captured during the scan?

Although limbs are often eliminated, it is best to avoid obstructing the camera(s) view during capture. Too much obstruction can result in coverage gaps.

How large should the scans be? How much area can I cover?

30 meters (100 ft) on each side of the camera. The rate of capture varies.

How do I debug issues in the field?

If you are having trouble starting a capture, try starting the process again. Please ensure to turn off the qCam and disconnect your phone entirely first. If satellite quality is poor and/or not getting fixed GPS quality, try walking around and find an open area with no obstructions to the sky.

Are there captures I should avoid?

Looq AI is developing fundamental computer vision technology that is versatile, robust, and continuously improving. Despite all engineering efforts, the world’s complex conditions contain places and environments that do not lend themselves to imaging and make 3D geometric estimation highly difficult and sometimes unreliable. Reference to the document, Unsupported Environments and Capture Recommendations, which summarizes a set of conditions we do not support yet that our users have tried to deploy our technology on. While you may try any environment (within reason please), we cannot guarantee data quality or reconstruction capability in such conditions. Avoid capturing data in the listed unsupported environments and stick to our recommended capture procedures for the best results. For additional questions about capture environments, please contact our support team at support@looq.ai.

Purchasing  

Can I try the Looq Platform before purchase?

Currently we do not offer free trials. While we recognize the immense value of handling the device to support your decision, we believe the insights generated from its output are equally significant. We invite you to ask for and review a sample dataset to explore using our application, qApp. Should you wish to discuss further or explore commercial options, our team would be happy to assist. Please contact our commercial department at sales@looq.ai.

What is the price?

Please contact our commercial department at sales@looq.ai