AIforSite: React Native app with 360° camera support for the construction industry

SH brought years of React Native experience to a demanding project with AIforSite: developing an external integration focused on camera interaction and data transmission. Read more about how our collaboration unfolded.

About AIforSite

AIforSite is a Finnish company founded in 2016 that helps increase productivity in construction. It offers an AI-powered solution that streamlines on-site work through remote monitoring, video recordings, and precise positioning.

Challenge

AIforSite wanted to leverage mobile technologies to increase productivity and open a new revenue stream. The goal was to automate the capture and upload of 360° video from construction sites.

A key requirement was integrating the app with a third-party 360° camera API. The app also had to work reliably across Android versions, including without GPS access. This required deep integration with the camera, working with its native SDK, and building a dedicated module to connect the app to the device.

Process

SH assigned two experienced React Native developers who worked under the client's direction. The AIforSite and SH teams collaborated closely, keeping project management simple and transparent. Work began in January 2022, and the first Android release launched in August. The iOS version is in development.

Scope

The engagement covered two main components. A new React Native app and the web API powering it were built from scratch. The AIforSite 360 App works with third-party 360° cameras across multiple Android and iOS versions. It also performs well on large construction sites where cellular and GPS coverage is limited.

Solution: key features

The app is designed for field engineers and their supervisors. Staff regularly walk the site along a predefined route and record 360° video. The recordings are then transferred to the mobile device. There, they are assigned to a project and, together with related data, sent to the central AIforSite platform for analysis. This automated process is far more efficient than the manual one it replaced.

Results

SH developed the Android app in React Native and tested it on nine different device models. The app is now undergoing intensive testing with AIforSite customers; the iOS version is coming soon. For AIforSite, this product is the first step toward subscription-based services.