From World Heritage to 3D Spatial Data: Initiatives in 3D Digitalization Using the 360° Drone 'Antigravity A1'

Antigravity has carried out a 3D digitalization project at the Borobudur Temple Compounds, a UNESCO World Heritage site in Indonesia, using the world's first 360-degree drone, the 'A1'.

By combining 360° spatial capture with 3D Gaussian Splatting (3DGS) technology, the company successfully recorded the Borobudur Temple and its surroundings with high precision, building 3D spatial data suitable for continuous use. This opens new possibilities for experiencing and understanding heritage sites in more flexible ways while minimizing physical interference with the site.

This initiative is part of 'Project ETERNAL,' a global culture and spatial digitalization project. It demonstrates the practical value of 360° drone spatial capture within the 3DGS workflow and verifies new possibilities for digital protection and archiving of cultural heritage.

Antigravity launched 'Project ETERNAL' in collaboration with Insta360 on 'World Heritage Day' (April 18th). The project aims to have cinematographers, creators, and cultural institutions collaborate to record and preserve global cultural heritage through digital technology.

In the Borobudur Temple digital archive, the A1 drone was used to perform spatial recording and 3D reconstruction of the temple and its surrounding environment, organizing it as a digital archive. This is expected to be used for a wide range of purposes, including research, digital exhibitions, and educational activities.

Traditionally, high-quality 3DGS required extensive multi-view large-scale image data collection, involving significant photography and complex flight path design. The Antigravity A1 features omnidirectional imaging and automatic flight functions, allowing it to efficiently acquire full-surround spatial information in a single flight. In this project, spatial data collection efficiency improved by approximately 3-5 times compared to conventional methods.

As for future developments, 'Project ETERNAL' is hosting the 'ETERNAL Challenge' for creators and institutions worldwide until June 24, 2026. Additionally, the company is collaborating with the Low-altitude Economy Promotion Association of Japan (LEAD-J) to work on social implementation within Japan.