Inside Alcatraz

How Reality Capture is redefining 3D scanning

INTERGEO TV expert talk with Pete Kelsey

The Alcatraz project is a blueprint for large-scale digital twin initiatives and sets new standards in terms of efficiency, collaboration, and application diversity. A behind-the-scenes interview with Pete Kelsey about one of the most ambitious digital twin projects and its significance for the future of geoinformatics.

“Real data is the ultimate currency,” summarizes Pete Kelsey, founder of VCTO Labs and experienced leader. As a driving force in the field of reality capture, he was instrumental in one of the most talked-about 3D scanning projects in recent times: the complete digitization of Alcatraz Island.

In this exclusive INTERGEO TV interview, Pete talks about how he and a cross-functional team of global experts transformed one of the world's most famous and logistically challenging locations into a digital twin.

Watch the full video interview here:

More than 20 top-class experts and companies took part in the non-commercial project on Alcatraz, which was run entirely by volunteers. United by curiosity and innovation, they scanned the entire island, inside and out, within a tight three-week timeframe. Using SLAM scans, drones, and AMD's Threadripper-powered post-processing powerhouse, the team worked around the clock and even slept in prison cells to meet the deadline.

In addition to the technical aspects, Kelsey emphasized the emotional and scientific depth of the work, pointing to the historical value of the project and its potential applications in education, virtual tourism, law enforcement, and even Hollywood.

Why this project sets new standards in efficiency, collaboration, and application diversity for the geospatial community:

• Large-scale reality capture project completed in just 3 weeks

• Hybrid scanning approach using SLAM, LiDAR, drones, and terrestrial sensors

• Local processing on an AMD Threadripper workstation with 96 cores

• Cross-industry teamwork: from AEC to surveying and monument preservation to software developers

"This is the future of digital surveying: immersive, collaborative, and infinitely reusable."

Pete Kelsey will be live on stage (APPLIATION Dome | Hall 12.0 | 12:50 PM - 01:30 PM) at INTERGEO 2025 in Frankfurt to provide further behind-the-scenes insights and discuss what's next in the world of geodata innovation.

👉 Don't miss your chance to meet Pete Kelsey and join him on the APPLICATION Dome on October 8!

Learn more about reality capture and 3D scanning at INTERGEO 2025!

Get your ticket now!