New AR powered workflow brings instant installation verification to the tower site
vHive has launched On Site Validation, a real time field verification solution that ensures antenna installations match engineering plans before a site goes live. The release continues vHive’s work as a pioneer in automated drone capture for telecom towers.
The new capability targets one of the most costly issues in modern network deployment. Today, most installation errors are discovered weeks after crews leave the tower. This delay creates a significant gap in the as planned vs. as built workflow, which slows rollouts and drives OPEX across Mobile Network Operators and TowerCos. On Site Validation moves the entire verification process to the tower site, giving both groups clarity before the job closes.
A Persistent Blind Spot in Network Rollouts
As operators upgrade networks for 5G and Fixed Wireless Access, installation accuracy has become a key operational challenge. Plans shift often. Field conditions vary. Crews install equipment with information that may not reflect the current state of the tower. As a result, deviations between engineering intent and on site work are common.
When mismatches surface weeks later, the impact is substantial. Contractors must return to the tower. Work orders must be repeated. Billing disputes increase. MNOs delay activation. TowerCos wait to invoice. The entire delivery chain slows.
On Site Validation solves this by confirming accuracy before any team leaves the structure.
How the Workflow Operates in the Field
The solution unifies three core elements of the vHive platform into one real time process.
- Autonomous Capture: A standard drone performs a brief automated survey that takes about five minutes. The drone collects a full 360 degree visual record and adapts to tower height, shape, and nearby RF conditions. No pilot skill is needed.
- Digital Twin Reconstruction: From this controlled flight, vHive builds a high accuracy digital twin. The model includes antennas, RRUs, mounts, spacing, cable routing, offsets, tilt, height, and rotation. This digital twin reflects the current as built truth.
- Live AR Validation: When upgrade teams arrive, they bring the as planned design. vHive provides the updated as built digital twin. Using augmented reality, the planned design appears directly on top of the live camera view of the tower. Any mismatch becomes clear in seconds. Incorrect tilt, swapped equipment, wrong height, or missing mounts stand out immediately.
This gives contractors the ability to correct issues on the spot. It also ensures that every installation is verified before crews complete the job.
Speaking to DRONELIFE, Tomer Daniel, Co Founder and CTO of vHive, said, “We wanted capture to be more than collecting pixels. With AR, On Site Validation brings real time clarity to the field by overlaying the planned design directly onto the live camera view. Contractors instantly see what should be there versus what actually is. They can verify accuracy to the centimeter before leaving the site. It’s the first time accuracy can be verified on the spot and it changes the entire deployment process.”
Faster Rollouts and More Reliable Site Data
Real time verification delivers immediate benefits across the telecom ecosystem. Contractors address issues during the first visit. MNOs can activate sites sooner, with fewer delays. TowerCos have confidence in the installation data that supports invoicing and compliance.
The result is the removal of the long standing gap between engineering design and field execution.
This launch also strengthens vHive’s position as a leader in tower digitization. vHive has been recognized as a pioneer in the use of automated drone capture and AI powered analysis for telecom infrastructure. The company’s technology has helped operators use accurate digital twins to reduce OPEX, enhance network performance, and improve planning.
About vHive
vHive is a global provider of end to end digitization solutions. The platform uses autonomous capture, digital twin modeling, and AI analytics to help organizations understand and manage their physical assets. vHive serves industries across telecom, renewable energy, and other infrastructure sectors. Founded in 2016, the company operates in more than 40 countries.
Read more:
- Overcoming the Interference Barrier: vHive Enables Autonomous Tower Surveys on the DJI Matrice 4E
- Drones, Digital Twins, and Asset Digitization: vHive Wins 2023 Enabling Technology Leadership Award
- vHive Raises $25 Million in Series B: Digital Twins and Critical Insights
Miriam McNabb is the Editor-in-Chief of DRONELIFE and CEO of JobForDrones, a professional drone services marketplace, and a fascinated observer of the emerging drone industry and the regulatory environment for drones. Miriam has penned over 3,000 articles focused on the commercial drone space and is an international speaker and recognized figure in the industry. Miriam has a degree from the University of Chicago and over 20 years of experience in high tech sales and marketing for new technologies.
For drone industry consulting or writing, Email Miriam.
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What problem in 5G tower deployment does vHive’s On Site Validation aim to solve, and why is this issue significant for network rollouts?