Low-Cost 3D Reconstruction of Caves

João Marcelo X. N. Teixeira, Narjara Pimentel, Eder Barbier, Enrico Bernard, Veronica Teichrieb, Gimena Chaves

Abstract: Caves are spatially complex environments, frequently formed by different shapes and structures. Capturing cave’s spatial complexity is often necessary for different purposes – from geological to biological aspects – but difficult due to the challenging logistics, frequent absence of light, and because the necessary equipment is prohibitively expensive. Efficient and low-cost mapping systems could produce direct and indirect benefits for cave users and policy-makers, enabling from non-invasive research of fragile structures (like speleothems) to new forms of interactive experiences in tourism, for example. Here we present a low-cost solution that combines hardware and software to allow capturing cave spatial information through RGB-D sensors and the later interpretation of the processed data. Our solution allows the navigation in a 3D reconstructed cave, and may be used to estimate volume and area information, frequently necessary for conservation or environmental licensing. We valida