AR Property Visualization for Pre-Disaster Loss Estimation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Consumers and insurance providers face difficulties in quantifying or visualizing damage to properties before or after natural disasters due to outdated documentation and the challenge of accurately assessing risk and loss, which complicates insurance processes.
Innovation Solution
An augmented reality system that generates and displays Enhanced Situation Visualization (ESV) on user computing devices, using reference databases to overlay situation information, such as peril maps and loss estimates, onto real-time views of properties to facilitate insurance-related activities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional documentation methods are used to assess property damage, then the process is simple to implement, but the accuracy and precision of damage quantification is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses photogrammetry to create 3D digital models (copies) of the property and disaster scene from multiple 2D images. These digital models accurately represent the physical structure, allowing precise measurement of damage without physically measuring each component, thus improving measurement precision while keeping the system relatively simple
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual physical measurement and traditional documentation methods with automated image processing and 3D modeling techniques. By using computational algorithms to analyze images and generate digital twins of the property, the system achieves high-precision damage assessment without requiring complex manual measurement tools or procedures
2Measurement precision
If extensive research and manual analysis are performed to quantify damage, then the accuracy of loss estimation improves, but the time required for assessment increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables self-service damage assessment by allowing property owners and insurers to independently generate accurate loss estimates through automated 3D modeling and comparison of before/after images. The photogrammetry system automatically processes images, creates digital models, and quantifies damage without requiring expert surveyors or extensive manual research, thus reducing time while maintaining precision
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary actions by creating 3D digital models of the property before the disaster occurs and storing them for comparison. This pre-modeling allows rapid assessment after the disaster by simply comparing the pre-disaster model with post-disaster images, eliminating the need for extensive on-site research and significantly reducing assessment time while maintaining accuracy
3Measurement precision
If outdated underwriting documentation is used, then the system is simple to maintain, but the representation of current property value and risk is inaccurate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates accurate digital copies (digital twins) of the property through photogrammetry, replacing outdated 2D documentation with comprehensive 3D models. These digital models capture the current state of the property, including structural details, materials, and spatial relationships, providing precise representation of property value and characteristics without requiring complex manual documentation systems
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from static, outdated textual documentation to dynamic, visually-rich 3D digital models. By changing the representation format from 2D images and text to 3D geometry with multiple capture angles and lighting conditions, the system accurately represents current property values and risk factors while maintaining relatively simple system architecture through automated image processing
4Measurement precision
If visual inspection methods are used to assess damage, then the ease of operation is high, but the ability to accurately capture and quantify damage is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual visual inspection with automated photogrammetry imaging systems. By using multiple cameras or image-taking devices positioned at different locations and angles, the system automatically captures comprehensive 3D data of the property and damage without requiring complex manual measurement procedures or expert visual analysis, thus improving accuracy while maintaining ease of operation
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from 2D visual inspection to 3D digital modeling by capturing images from multiple angles and depths. This dimensional expansion allows accurate capture of damage extent, structural details, and spatial relationships that cannot be detected in traditional 2D views, while the automated processing maintains operational simplicity through computer-based analysis rather than complex manual procedures
Data Source
AI summary
An augmented reality (AR) system for generating and displaying a pre-disaster Enhanced Situation Visualization (ESV) is provided. The AR system may include an ESV computing device, a user computing device operated by a user and a reference database. The user computing device may transmit a reference request message to the ESV device, the reference request message including an image and/or GPS location of a property. The ESV computing device may determine the subject of the image is the property, retrieve reference information including peril maps associated with the property from the reference database, and determine situation information specific to the subject. The reference and situation information including a loss estimate may be displayed on the user computing device to provide an ESV of the property. The ESV may be used for insurance-related activities, such as handling, adjusting, and/or generating an insurance policy, premium, and/or discount, and/or generating insurance-related recommendations.