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Revolutionising Construction Training with VR and Haptics

The construction industry has long been known for its hands-on nature, where skilled workers use their expertise to bring architectural designs to life. However, as technology continues to advance, new methods are emerging to enhance training and improve safety in construction. One such innovation is the integration of virtual reality (VR) training and haptics, revolutionizing the way professionals learn and work in this industry. In this blog post, we will explore the potential of VR training and haptics and highlight the remarkable contributions of SenseGlove in this field.

Virtual Reality Training: Building a New Learning Experience

Virtual reality has gained significant popularity across various industries, and construction is no exception. VR training allows workers to immerse themselves in simulated environments, providing a safe and controlled setting for learning. By replicating real-life scenarios, trainees can practice their skills, understand complex processes, and identify potential risks without facing any physical dangers.

One of the key advantages of VR training is its ability to simulate hazardous situations that may be encountered on construction sites. Trainees can learn how to handle dangerous equipment, navigate challenging environments, and respond effectively to emergencies. Moreover, VR training enables learners to experience a wide range of construction tasks, from operating heavy machinery to assembling complex structures, without the need for physical resources or additional costs.

Haptic Feedback: Bridging the Gap between Virtual and Physical Worlds

While VR provides a visually immersive experience, haptic feedback adds a new dimension by introducing tactile sensations to virtual environments. Haptic devices, such as gloves or exoskeletons, enable users to feel and interact with virtual objects, enhancing the realism and engagement of the training experience.

In the construction industry, haptics can simulate the sensations of holding tools, manipulating objects, and feeling the resistance or texture of materials. This level of realism improves muscle memory and hand-eye coordination, allowing workers to transfer their skills seamlessly from the virtual to the physical world. Haptic feedback also enables trainees to identify potential issues, such as faulty equipment or improper techniques, through the sense of touch, further enhancing their understanding and problem-solving abilities.

SenseGlove: Haptic Solutions for Construction Training in VR

Among the leading innovators in haptic technology, SenseGlove has made significant strides in providing realistic haptic feedback for virtual training in the construction industry. Their glove-based haptic devices offer precise force feedback and finger tracking, enabling users to experience a wide range of sensations while interacting with virtual objects.

SenseGlove’s gloves are designed to fit comfortably on the user’s hands, providing natural hand movements and dexterity. The gloves can accurately simulate the weight, resistance, and textures of objects, allowing construction professionals to develop a genuine feel for their tasks. With precise force feedback, users can experience the sensations of gripping, lifting, and manipulating various tools and materials.

In addition to training, SenseGlove’s haptic devices have proven invaluable in design and prototyping stages. Architects and engineers can use these gloves to interact with virtual models, gaining a better understanding of spatial relationships and making informed design decisions.

A New Form of Construction Worker Training

The combination of virtual reality training and haptic feedback has immense potential for revolutionizing the construction industry. By offering a safe and immersive learning experience, VR training allows workers to develop their skills and knowledge while minimizing risks. When coupled with haptic devices like SenseGlove’s innovative solutions, trainees can experience realistic tactile feedback, further bridging the gap between virtual and physical environments.

Quelle:

Revolutionising Construction Training with VR and Haptics

13. September 2023 0 comment

Examples

XR Construction Case Study in Focus: CannonDesign and VIVE

VIVE strengthens creativity and collaboration for CannonDesign

In the construction (AEC) landscape, immersive technology like extended reality hardware and software has the potential to transform all aspects of the workflow. Already, countless companies are investing in VR, AR, and MR solutions as a way of improving design practices and boosting creativity among team members. However, there’s another significant benefit too.

To build incredible projects, AEC leaders need to be able to align teams and specialists from multiple environments in a versatile and flexible environment. XR solutions (Extended Reality) can bridge the gaps between employees, wherever they might be.

CannonDesign discovered the collaborative benefits of XR for themselves when they turned to VIVE, and Nvidia for help building transformative new-age workflows. Here’s what happened when CannonDesign embraced VIVE Technology.

Exploring New Solutions for Collaboration

We’re living in a world where companies in the AEC landscape are constantly searching for new ways to enhance digital collaboration experiences among workers. While standard messaging, video conferencing, and audio tools have their benefits, in the AEC space, there’s often a need for more hands-on collaborative sessions.

CannonDesign, operating offices across 18 global locations, has experienced the issues associated with collaboration in the current world first-hand. Though the designers in the team often travel to connect with colleagues and clients, they have often relied on using elaborate physical mock-ups to demonstrate ideas. The old-fashioned design process used by the company was proving inefficient and expensive, leading the business to explore new opportunities.

Through a partnership with VIVE and NVIDIA, CannonDesign was able to implement a custom, enterprise-grade virtual reality solution, capable of boosting efficiency and addressing common obstacles. Using the combined technology, CannonDesign was able to launch a preliminary design strategy with the University of Houston’s college for Nursing. The main objective was to provide clients with the tools they needed to make informed decisions regarding equipment placement.

A Simulation Lab was implemented to allow clients and designers to share ideas remotely, while interacting with digital visuals in a virtual space.

Achieving Design and Collaboration Goals

In the preliminary project with the Houston College, CannonDesign set a number of goals to achieve with its new VR solution. The company wanted to be able to quickly assess and validate design concepts within a multi-user virtual environment, and host remote meetings to minimize travel costs. At the same time, the solution needed to make it simple to share virtual mock-ups with clients and adjust strategies in real-time based on feedback.

The technology also needed to ensure users could quickly and easily document questions, suggestions, and comments delivered by the client. The NVIDIA Holodeck environment introduced alongside met with each of these requirements. However, the company also needed a high-fidelity virtual reality headset capable of immersing users within the new experience.

After reviewing a variety of enterprise-grade VR brands, CannonDesign chose VIVE as its leading solution for industrial design, manufacturing quality, and image resolution. The VIVE Pro headset provided more advanced visuals and audio compared to other brands, thanks to exceptional resolution, and state-of-the-art 3D spatial audio.

The features offered by VIVE hardware allowed for the development of a compelling simulated experience, capable of meeting CannonDesign’s professional needs, while delighting clients.

Notably, choosing technology based technical specifications was just one of the considerations CannonDesign had to think about. The designers in the team were concerned an uncomfortable experience might detract from the immersion during in-depth sessions. The company had already encountered issues with accessibility and diverse user requirements using other HMDs. Fortunately, Vive Pro appeared as an ergonomic, and simple choice.

Exploring New Opportunities for VR in AEC

Outside of making it easier to connect clients and designers during the initial project development phases, the introduction of VIVE and NVIDIA tools had other benefits. For instance, the NVIDIA Quadro professional GPUs proved to be a perfect-fit for texture-rich presentations and mock-ups.

The company was able to create detailed environment, accurate models, and even accurate lighting for their simulations. The Quadro GPUs also benefit from additional support for large and complex workloads. This meant CannonDesign was able to view original asset models directly in VR, reducing the need to compromise the integrity or quality of designs for VR performance.

Notably, CannonDesign was also aware of the potential threats facing a multi-user XR experience. Because virtual reality is still a relatively new concept, not all users will necessarily feel comfortable using new innovations. Fortunately, the VIVE Pro headset was able to alleviate many of the concerns associated with onboarding and initiating new users.

The ergonomic fit of the headset, adjustable strap, and the evenly distributed weight of the technology made it an ideal choice for longer use. What’s more, the company found the audio-visual features of the VIVE Pro meant it could create a more powerful and engaging experience. When the VIVE Pro headset was integrated with the NVIDIA Holodeck technology, users were able to quickly grasp how to communicate with eachother and explore virtual spaces.

Amazing AEC Results

According to CannonDesign, the combination of VIVE Pro hardware and the NVIDIA software allowed for the creation of a highly successful and immersive experience. The VIVE professional-grade VR hardware allowed users to work and experience spaces in real-time, while ensuring clients could also take part in adjusting designs when necessary.

With the wide selection of features offered by VIVE and NVIDIA, CannonDesign was able to address many of the obstacles they were facing in regard to exceptional client/company collaboration. Previous meetings requiring extensive transport and outsourcing expenses were replaced with powerful VR multi-user sessions. The project times were even reduced by an average of 35%.

By 2020, CannonDesign had already begun scaling the project for use in all offices, attempting to decrease the need for in-person meetings by a massive 15%. According to the Director of Visualization at CannonDesign, NVIDIA and VIVE made the team really feel as though they were living in the future. The company has yet to see another combination capable of delighting designers and clients so effectively.

Quelle:

XR Construction Case Study in Focus: CannonDesign and VIVE

18. Oktober 2022 0 comment

Examples

Comment: How AR/VR is helping construction go green

Modern construction is about more than building with agility and keeping costs down. The industry is expanding quickly with an expected growth of $4.5 trillion [1] by 2030 and the advent of new technologies will be paramount to facilitating this growth. Important as these aims undoubtedly are, reducing emissions and building sustainably is also becoming an increasingly important consideration across every phase of construction projects.

Recent research from Faithful+Gould has revealed that buildings and construction are responsible for 39 per cent of all carbon emissions in the world [2]. It’s an alarming figure, and one which should compel the sector to address, and mitigate, the climate crisis whilst continuing to deliver high quality output.

The good news is progress is being made, and not a moment too soon. Net Zero 2050 targets are drawing ever closer and captivating the focus of construction professionals worldwide. It’s fair to say there’s now a definite appetite to not only build better, but to also build greener.

There’s still some way to go, as the industry not only looks to change many of the deep-rooted traditional processes, but also pay down decades of high-emission activity. Luckily, digital innovation is helping to make this low-carbon transition as pain-free as possible, and I believe we’ve only just scratched the surface of how technology can support the delivery of more sustainable buildings.

Essentially, the latest software and hardware coming to market, particularly advanced Artificial Intelligence (AI), Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR) will equip the sector to achieve its green objectives, while also supporting greater efficiency and higher quality. But, as it’s been said, technology is only as good as the user, and reducing construction’s sizeable carbon footprint must start with active collaboration across the industry to make a sizeable enough impact both on and off-site.

Cooperation to achieve common goals

Here at XYZ Reality we’re leading by example, becoming a founding partner of ZERO [3], an ethical community of like-minded individuals and businesses aiming to drive across-the-board sustainability in construction.

This move has allowed us to get closer to understanding the current industry’s eco-landscape and empower our team to deliver timely solutions to achieve more sustainable outcomes.

The collaboration with like-minded business, which ZERO facilitates, is invaluable as it enables individual organisations to come together and explore a diverse range of traditional and new ways of reducing waste and lowering emissions.

Working together under the same banner, with the same common goal, means teams can plug knowledge gaps across the industry, combining efforts to increase the efficiency of processes and develop solutions holistically.

As a pioneer of Augmented Reality, having developed our engineering grade tool ‘The Atom’ specifically for the construction industry, our goal is to show how, working alongside other systems and processes, it can play a central role in making the build phase greener and leaner. Particularly, removing the scan and rework phase to salvage valuable materials, money and manpower, otherwise wasted through correcting errors and defects made during initial construction.

Eliminating rework to reduce waste

It’s already well documented that digital technology is helping to improve construction by increasing operational precision, allowing contractors to build to exact specifications and validate works in real-time, therefore reducing the likelihood of waste.

According to government statistics, in 2018 around 137 million tonnes [4] of construction waste was produced in the UK alone. By utilising new technologies, such as Engineering-Grade AR, to eliminate errors, we can put an end to unnecessary waste and even reduce costs associated with rework, all while keeping project schedules on track. Our cutting-edge AR solution, the Atom has already been deployed on construction sites across the world and is proving its worth by reducing rework to less than 1%. This is not only saving projects time and money, but also significantly minimising material usage and therefore, boosting sustainable credentials.

Given rework accounts for up to five per cent of all CO₂ emissions within construction, removing or at least reducing this process, represents a significant step towards helping construction to become a carbon-neutral sector.

What digital innovations have we already seen?

We have already started to see technological advancements in construction, and the results have been encouraging. Digital asset information management platforms now have a permanent place in the industry with their ability to log large amounts of information online, such as waste levels and expenditure, without the need for reams of paper.

Another high-tech solution is AI-backed management platforms that we can link to sensors which monitor waste levels reducing resources spent on waste disposal.

At XYZ Reality [5], we are advocates for using outside-the-box thinking to revolutionise processes within construction, and I think there is more to come in the way of digital advancements.

We are proud of our own contribution of implementing Engineering-Grade AR, to achieve unrivalled accuracy, cutting down on excess materials and avoidable defects, to deliver more sustainable projects. This technology, specifically developed for the construction industry by construction professionals, is proven to reduce waste, improve quality, and ultimately radically limit carbon contributions.

Keeping all parties happy

Returning to the human factor, in addition to harnessing new technology, businesses across the construction sector must establish and implement solid green strategies to secure a good position for future performance in a competitive landscape.

This journey involves setting out transparent sustainability statements, plans, actions, and goals that provide insights into how businesses will fare in markets.

To achieve this goal, construction industry experts must carefully consider environmental, social and governance (ESG) criteria which play a crucial role in helping businesses monitor how sustainable their operations are, and ensure they are working to drive their activities towards goals of net-zero 2050.

With a clear strategy in place, leaders within construction can streamline investments and ensure the long-term viability of plans, creating lasting value for employees, society, and stakeholders. From a financial perspective, it would be wise for players in the industry to keep watertight records of their activities so that investors and stakeholders feel their funds are safe.

There’s no doubt we will see digital adoption growing more as the green agenda becomes legally binding, and business leaders realise technology can help comply with tougher regulation.

We must all make an ongoing commitment to reduce carbon emissions within construction for the greater good of our environment and society. Construction companies across the world are already seeing the huge benefits associated with deploying digital tools for sustainable initiatives. Businesses that harness the power of Augmented Reality and other technology that favours sustainability are proving to be a cut above the competition.

By adopting sustainable construction practices early, we can make a huge difference to the environment and be a leader in the green agenda. The adoption of technology that helps us get there should be openly embraced by all as we move towards a more innovative and greener industry.

Quelle:

Foto: XYZ’s technology allows digital plans to be superimposed on actual construction sites – XYZ Reality

https://www.theengineer.co.uk/content/opinion/comment-how-ar-vr-is-helping-construction-go-green?utm_campaign=Industrial%20VR/AR%20Forum%20Content&utm_content=214195829&utm_medium=social&utm_source=linkedin&hss_channel=lcp-11808249

15. Juli 2022 0 comment

Examples

Would-be apprentices scale new heights with virtual reality construction

Attendees at Leeds Apprenticeship Recruitment Fair donned VR headsets to learn vertiginous construction skills

Attendees at yesterday’s (7 February) Leeds Apprenticeship Recruitment Fair were offered a thoroughly modern take on training, in the form of virtual reality construction activities.

Leeds College of Building invited people to don VR headsets and try their hand at skills including piloting drones for site surveying, simulating spray painting or wood machining, and working at height and with scaffolding.

The fair marked the start of the 15th annual National Apprenticeship Week (7-13 February).

Leeds College of Building has already helped more than 100 of its students since joining CONVERT (construction virtual environment resource training), a two-year UK-wide collaborative project led by the Construction Wales Innovation Centre.

“Leeds College of Building is committed to be at the forefront of industry developments and adopting new technology to support and enhance our students’ learning experience,” said Wayne Chappelow, construction crafts faculty director at the FE college.

“Our staff have embraced VR, undertaking their own training to deliver this immersive and interactive mode of learning, which is especially engaging for younger students.”

CONVERT stems from a £2 million investment by the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB), with the aim of more straightforwardly helping students acquire hard to teach, high-risk skills.

“If we get it right, immersive learning has the potential to help revolutionise construction training,” said Marcus Bennett, CITB head of analysis and forecasting. “As a complement to traditional training, it can help more quickly and cost effectively produce work-ready employees, so reducing skills shortages and improving quality, safety, and efficiency.

“For trainers it can create extra capacity, speed student assessment, and allow students to learn by repetition in a risk-free environment. It can be both stimulating and provide understanding impossible in a classroom setting so, in turn, can help positively influence perceptions of the industry and attract more young people into construction.”

Quelle:

https://edtechnology.co.uk/he-and-fe/would-be-apprentices-scale-new-heights-with-virtual-reality-construction/

14. Februar 2022 0 comment

Examples

Augmented Reality is a Reality

Not so long ago, augmented reality (AR) seemed like a far-off dream for many industry applications, but the technology has advanced so quickly that it’s now an accurate and cost-effective tool commonly found in the architecture, engineering and construction (AEC) and utility sectors. AR can provide valuable benefits in oil and gas, as well. Today’s simple, compact devices are suitable for any size contractor or operator and provide real-time, on-site views of proposed improvements. By using AR, users can speed design reviews, identify clashes, manage construction (including pipelines), visualize underground assets, work with landowners, clients, stakeholders and more.

The standard for AEC disciplines is design and construction based on 3D models. Approaches such as building information modeling (BIM), 4D construction, virtual digital construction (VDC) or digital twins are common. Real-time AR is the tool that brings 3D design to the site, where it can easily be implemented through all phases of design, construction and operations.

Clearly, experienced users can easily call on 2D plan sets to visualize and analyze where and how proposed structures or easements might lay on (or in) the ground, but there are often many more less-experienced eyes that need to scrutinize a site. And with the recent pandemic, there may be limitations to how many people can access sites. 3D visualization enables more people to see the spatial context of proposed improvements, in some cases without ever visiting the site. With its ability to reveal potential problems before construction begins, on-site AR can deliver significant savings in time and costs in oil and gas.

Slice of Reality

Look at your phone with the camera turned on. What you see is a real-time visual slice of the reality in front of you. Now, picture a 3D model of a proposed pipeline and easement lines, precisely tied to your location and superimposed over the live view. As you walk around the site, the model updates in real time to show the features from any vantage point. This is what AR for AEC and oil and gas is all about.

Such solutions are not altogether new or unique. We’ve all seen engineering designs projected over photos in software including fly-though visualizations on the desktop and on the web. What has changed is the ability to use AR in the field. There are numerous AR apps that run on a standard smartphone. With the addition of precise GPS for positioning and orientation, you can hold the full AR system in one hand. The system’s size and capabilities make it a ready tool for the demanding requirements of oil and gas development and operations.

Construction Management Made Easy

In many projects, stakeholders visit a site to assess proposed construction, which is commonly marked by stakes. But for many people, a few stakes and a 2D plan aren’t sufficient to provide an accurate perception of the project; AR changes that.

ONEC, a North American provider of engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) services for clients in the oil and gas, utilities and industrial sectors deploys AR for design planning, design reviews and construction management for its projects. “AR engages field and design staff at a level they haven’t been accustomed to,” says ONEC technologies director Joe Riordan. “Previously, operators and maintenance staff were handed something to operate and maintain but without much opportunity to provide input. Now they feel a part of it – they are making valuable inputs to the design that previously would have resulted in an expensive change order.”

Using AR, ONEC’s construction staff can now better visualize the end result. They can ask detailed questions and avoid requests for information (RFIs) that can bring a project to a halt. For example, operators can identify access or interference issues, or maintenance staff can identify inappropriate clearances for their tools or lifts. The approach fosters good cooperation among engineers, designers and construction people. “They’re having conversations they’ve never had before, resulting in a sense of pride in the end results,” Riordan says.

Companies such as ONEC have implemented AR to deliver realistic and accurate design reviews. The key benefit is being able to share real-time views from the field. Teams can evaluate multiple design alternatives without having to return to the site.

ONEC teams take designs to the field via Trimble SiteVision, a handheld AR solution (see sidebar). With its companion application, Team Viewer, the AR technology enables remote team members to see the project simultaneously. By using real-time, on-site AR, ONEC can involve more stakeholders in the effort to search for problem areas and identify opportunities for improvement.

AR provides a simple solution for relaying project status and site conditions to the project management team, safety coordinators or anyone on the team – even those offsite. Anyone on the site can use SiteVision to provide scheduled or ad hoc live views compared to the design models at any time.

When everyone has the same clear vision, it eliminates questions, disputes, and wasted time and resources. It results in significantly lower costs and schedule savings. Riordan says that once his clients see AR in action, they quickly embrace the new approach. “One project manager told us that he is a skeptic and was not crazy about some of these new technologies. He became a zealot within an hour because we saved him a lot of rework and mistakes were caught early on.”

Right to Move Forward

In Oklahoma, the engineering and surveying consulting firm Smith Roberts Baldischwiler (SRB) uses AR in working with landowners affected by energy development. To acquire the necessary rights and permits, SRB’s inhouse staff of landmen work with landowners to negotiate the location and terms of an easement or right-of-way. Reaching agreement often requires visits to the sites of proposed activities.

The landmen and landowners need accurate information that can be easily understood by technicians and laypeople alike. SRB Director of Surveying and Mapping, Taylor Denniston, says that situations often come up when a landman visits the landowner and has a paper copy of an easement or right-of-way location. But only having paper makes it hard for owners to conceptualize how it is really going to impact their land. In those cases, landowners will often ask for a few stakes to be set in the ground to help them better visualize the plan. It can take time to mobilize a survey crew, and per-day costs can add up quickly. Instead of 2D paper drawings, SRB uses augmented reality to provide accurate on-site visualizations of proposed easements or structures.

Using AR, the SRB agent can walk the site with the owner, who can see the right-of-way lines on the SiteVision display projected onto the ground and understand how it’s going to impact their property. If the owner requests changes, they can be noted, and the alignments revised for the final agreements. For example, some planned construction might take out trees that the owner wants to protect. Together, the owner and landman can agree on how to adjust the alignment to avoid the trees or other assets.

Like ONEC, SRB recognizes the value of AR as a planning tool for pipelines and other oilfield work such as pump stations and wellheads. SRB engineers can take the digital 3D models to the field for design checks and verification. Designers can drop the model onto the site and see what it will look like, how tall a structure will be and how it looks from nearby roads, as well as other impacts. The visualization helps SRB teams identify and resolve potential problems early in a project, thereby avoiding costly changes and delays that might occur after construction begins. “The ability to visualize the alignments, existing utilities and rights-of-way on the ground is almost priceless,” says Denniston. “It streamlines the process, and you can speed through a project very fast.”

A Stake in the Outcome

It’s clear that AR doesn’t replace the high-precision stakeout that surveyors provide for boundaries, excavation and construction. But on most projects, there is additional staking that often only serves to show rough limits or extents for clearing or fencing. Or stakes may be called for to answer a single question from a landowner, client or stakeholder.

Denniston notes that it’s not unusual to place stakes every 50 feet across a property, which can be an inconvenience. “The owner can’t mow, and they don’t know whether they can take out the stakes or not. AR is a non-[disruptive] way of showing somebody where the right-of-way line is.” The AR approach provides a quick, low-cost solution by replacing physical staking with accurate real-time visualization or “virtual stakes,” which do not affect the land at all.

Reducing Boundaries

As AR becomes increasingly ubiquitous in AEC and oil and gas, users are expanding the variety of uses. Early adopters such as ONEC and SRB have found AR useful for increasing stakeholder engagement, improving inspections and providing real-time project status. AR can show safe dig zones, delineate boundaries or reveal underground utilities.

Using AR to help identify clashes and issues before construction results in lower costs with fewer change orders. Users report increased confidence in the final project outcomes and, as a result, contractors can use hard-dollar (lump sum) bids versus time and materials.

Today’s AR solutions have demolished the barriers of cost and complexity commonly associated with new technologies. Augmented reality is part of the currency of our modern lives – both in professional and consumer applications. For oil and gas companies, a longtime dream has become a happy reality.

Quelle:

Augmented Reality is a Reality

Headline photo courtesy of ONEC.

9. Juli 2021 0 comment

Examples

Augin: AR visualization for architecture and construction

Augin is a digital platform where AEC professionals and companies can publish and view their content in augmented reality in the environment on a 1:1 scale.

THE SOFTWARE

Augin.app

Augin is software aimed at the AEC industry that uses augmented reality to provide platform users with a new experience in the visualization, presentation, and collaborating on the projects. The application was launched in 2019 in Brazil and quickly gained traction in Latin America. Today Augin app is successfully used in more than 175 countries, counting more than 140,000 active users.

THE GOAL

Create a new AR visualization tool for AEC

The Augin app revolutionizes the way architects work – thanks to federated projects, BIM information, various viewing modes, and an ability to import projects through plugins and Augin Hub (PC version).
Democratizing access to augmented reality, the Augin app benefits the construction sector in multiple ways. The app allows avoiding losses and identifying executive errors immediately.
The interactive 3D project visualization facilitates a better understanding of the project for all stakeholders, including the end customers.

THE SOLUTION

Multifunctional AR tool for architects and engineers

AR app: Augin app [ Google Play] [ Apple Store]

Launched in 2019 at Construtech, the largest technology event for construction in Brazil, Augin is a free application for Android and iOS capable of bringing 3D models and projects to augmented reality quickly and accurately.
The software transforms.IFC files and allows engineers and architects to filter and interact with information from BIM (Building Information Modeling) projects in the AR experience. The Augin app allows to automatically position projects in the environment, create experiences with videos in AR for catalogs and project plans. As the AR content is shown in the real environment, it offers direct interaction and 1:1 scaling.
With the recent launch of the Augin hub, the platform continues to evolve and bring more functionalities to the AEC sector.

Quelle:

Augin: AR visualization for architecture and construction

14. Mai 2021 0 comment

Examples

How Virtual Reality Helps to Build Smarter

Construction is one of the biggest industries on Earth, with its size expected to reach a whopping $10.5 trillion by 2023, growing at a CAGR of 4.2% from 2018 to 2023. Which is not surprising as there will always be steady demand for construction services all around the globe, stimulating this industry to grow and develop, quickly adopting new technologies.

Technological advances in construction allowed this industry to evolve, keeping up with the times. Compared to the way construction was done just a couple of decades ago, today, almost everything is different. Technological innovations allowed construction companies to adopt better materials, improve the speed of construction, produce less building-site waste and make worksites safer.

Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR) are examples of a technology that is being increasingly adopted by the construction industry. These can be extremely helpful when applied to any stage of the construction process, from architectural design and engineering to the actual building process and maintenance.

Here are a few examples of how VR/AR technologies are empowering the construction industry.

SAFETY AND SKILL TRAINING

VR can be used to conduct accessible, simple to organize and affordable construction worker training of various types, including safety procedures, familiarization and specialized skill training. The ability to host these events in a virtual reality environment allows construction companies to prepare their employees for potentially dangerous and hazardous work without putting people’s health at risk. Another major benefit of VR/AR is preventing expensive equipment and materials from being damaged.

ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN AND ENGINEERING

When utilised during the architectural design and engineering stage, VR can both improve the quality of the outcome and speed up the process. Deploying building prototypes in a virtual environment is the most cost-effective way to test and assure the quality of the project. Testing building engineering systems in VR allows construction companies to run multiple clash detection tests to reduce hard and soft clashes of electrical systems, plumbing, and other structural components of a building.

CONSTRUCTION EQUIPMENT TRAINING

VR can be truly an indispensable solution when it comes to learning how to operate complex construction equipment, such as building cranes, excavators, bulldozers, etc., as employees are able to learn and practice operating these machines in virtual reality as long as they need, perfecting their skills to optimize the usage of such equipment during the actual construction.

VR would also be a go-to answer to improving the quality of following construction disciplines that are considered to be challenging due to complexity and potential health and safety issues. Lifting is an example of such a discipline. VR lifting simulators, which have been used for a number of years by the energy industry, are now actively adopted by the construction industry as well.

BUILDING MAINTENANCE

Even in building maintenance VR has a number of incredibly useful applications. When connected to the actual equipment, virtual environments can be used to follow various types of construction-related data in real time. With AR technologies, it is possible to build an application showing “see-through walls” on the screen, used to quickly identify piping and electrical systems on the actual building. In the same way, Augmented Reality can be utilised for building renovation and modification projects, allowing users to add new elements that are about to be constructed laid out on top of the old building.

Quelle:

How Virtual Reality Helps to Build Smarter

12. Mai 2021 0 comment

Examples

7 Ways to Benefit from VR in Construction

We will be examining just how VR solves modern problems of construction and benefits businesses.

Today, the construction industry is in dire need of modernization, and some would say that VR software development is one of the best paths forward. Though building materials, equipment, and safety practices have gone through big improvements over the last few decades, much of the work still remains hazardous, inefficient, and unappealing to new workers.

Construction workers are well aware of the problems plaguing the industry and have turned to VR as a solution. For example, a recent survey of 33 top UK construction companies found that 36% of them are open to implementing the technology in their operations.

If you are curious about using the technology in your business, you’ve come to the right place. We will be examining just how VR solves modern problems of construction and benefits businesses.

How VR Solves Modern Problems of Construction

As you probably know, construction is not a single process but rather a whole set of stages that a project goes through. The remarkable thing about the VR approach is that it is not limited to a single step or stage, and can be used comprehensibly to solve the problems of different specialists in this field. Let’s take a closer look.

Modeling and Architecture Problems
1. Reduce time spent on revisions
What is the problem: Creating 3D models for a building or compound is usually a lengthy and difficult process, especially if the model is initially based on an existing structure. Designers and architects can spend weeks making revisions and visiting a location just to get the right level of detail and accuracy in their model.	The solution: When the model is built for a VR experience with additional interactive options, this gives designers and modelers much more flexibility. They can test revisions relatively quickly without redoing major sections of a model and do not need to rely on visits to the site or reference materials as much given the realistic simulation they can use instead.
2. Provide content reusability
What is the problem: It can be quite challenging to set up an efficient cooperation flow between architects and those who take over the project after the 3D designs are complete. This is because the 3D designs are often made for a single purpose (e.g. presentation or testing), so adapting them to actual construction work and BIM (building information management) takes a lot of extra time.	The solution: Thankfully, models integrated into VR software have a much wider range of uses, and can be applied far beyond the first planning stages of a project. With a few tweaks, the software can be reused by construction crews, engineers, and other people involved in the project. Instead of one team discarding or redesigning 3D content, there can be a smooth passing of the torch.
On-Side Construction Problems
3. Make training safer
What is the problem: It is of utmost importance that construction workers are trained to recognize and avoid hazards on construction sites, minimize risk and follow safety procedures. However, giving this practical experience to new workers without putting them in physical danger can be difficult, and the training exercises often end up being dissimilar to the real-life experience.	The solution: Virtual reality safety training carries no physical risk or danger. As long as the simulation allows your staff to interact with the equipment, objects, and other features of their workplace, they can get the same muscle and visual memory or at least see events play out when they cannot fully perform the same movements with their hands. VR construction training can be done anywhere with no professional gear or equipment necessary.
4. Boost worker engagement
What is the problem: Motivation is an important factor to consider when it comes to the efficiency of construction workers. Sure, a good crew leader will keep his men in line and working hard, but workers who feel that their needs are not being taken care of have a tendency to work slower and less effectively.	The solution: At the very least, most people find participating in virtual experiences to be fun and interesting. When there is work involved, this element of curiosity and immersion does not go away, and workers appreciate the opportunity to work with such modern gadgets, especially if they help them carry out daily tasks.
5. Improve team coordination
What is the problem: One of the biggest obstacles to effective construction work is poor organization. It might occur due to professional incompetence, but oftentimes, more benign factors are to blame. For example, the workers might not have received enough reference materials about the building or not gone through a play-by-play of the work planned for the day.	The solution: A digital simulation is one of the best references and instruments you can give to specialists in this field. Not only can they learn the structure of a site inside and out, but they can also preview the tasks that they need to do and learn to work as a team before ever arriving at the site.
Business Problems
6. Save on costs and materials
What is the problem: There is a certain amount of waste and bloat in any construction project, but limiting it is crucial for businesses that need to make a profit, pay their workers, and get work done on time. Without proper planning of materials and project days, some materials end up wasted and unused while certain specialists can idle at times.	The solution: When the right interactive options are added (e.g. simulation of concrete work, wiring, etc.), construction crews can make accurate estimates about how many materials they will need before they buy them. Furthermore, the simulation can help them identify potential issues with the structure before they turn into tangible obstacles.
7. Make your presentations effective
What is the problem: Presentation is a crucial step towards project approval and financing, so it cannot be approached half-heartedly. Even if you have an amazing project idea and design, it can all fall through quickly if you cannot show it off from a realistic yet visually impressive perspective. Stakeholders and investors want to see as much detail and specifics as possible.	The solution: Immersive presentation is impressive in its own right, and gives a much better understanding of your project than you could give with a 3D render, paper model, or even an animated video. Letting possible stakeholders experience your vision in VR is an amazing way to put on a show. This is why it also makes sense to use VR for real estate practices.

How is VR Used in Construction? Top Examples

All over the world, we can find numerous instances of businesses using VR technology to improve their operations, and the construction industry is no exception. Let’s examine some notable cases in this field.

1. Singapore business center

This facility was created in 3D in the application “BIM Visualization App” from Program-Ace. It features a large multi-story building featuring views of the exterior, interior structure, floor plan, electromechanical assets, and a walkthrough on the ground. The software addressed the needs of the business that was presenting the project as well as those who went on to work on it (engineers, construction crews, janitorial staff).

2. New Rochelle downtown improvements

New Rochelle is a mid-size city in New York whose leaders wanted to transform and invigorate their downtown area. They chose to do it in VR, creating a platform that visualized approximately 3 million square feet of improvements and renovations with a 360-degree view. Making the experience available to townsfolk (on headsets and mobile devices), the city planners gathered feedback about the many planned changes.

3. VR Hotel

This is another project from Program-Ace, featuring a large hotel building with an additional simulation of the hotel environment. This VR application was built for marketing purposes prior to construction, and implemented a range of helpful interactive features, such as navigation throughout the building, customization of room elements and furniture, and switching between day and night modes.

4. Hospital Nova

Nova is a large hospital in Finland nearing completion of construction. The company behind the project created a VR experience based on BIM, which had a significant impact on their project work. For example, the experience was made available to hospital staff, who then offered feedback and suggestions for design changes. It also allowed hospital staff to get acquainted with their new workplace beforehand and smoothen their adaptation.

5. Downtown resort

This is a pathfinding project developed by Program-Ace. Our company was contacted by a client who wanted to learn the feasibility of building a large resort in the downtown area of their city. We obliged and created a realistic site with multiple buildings and amenities. Walkthrough and limited interactive options were also implemented to augment the experience.

The Costs of VR in Construction

The costs of creating a VR experience are a drop in the bucket compared to the overall cost of construction projects, which often reaches millions or billions of dollars.

Some of the development costs include:

Gathering visual references of a location (photo, video, drone footage, etc.)
Buying and maintaining hardware (computers, servers, testing devices)
Software licensing
Paying developer/designers

While most of the listed costs do not cost more than $1K-2K, paying salaries to the team that builds your VR app will be much more expensive – usually in the realm of tens of thousands of USD. Some businesses choose to hire other firms and companies to handle the project when it is much more affordable and practical than hiring in-house.

Should You Use VR for Your Next Project? Let’s Review!

Even before VR became popular as a business solution, the construction industry already came to rely on BIM (which uses various software solutions), so VR apps seem like a natural extension of this trend. In the next few years, it should become even more apparent how virtual reality is changing architecture and adjacent industries.

Just to recap, businesses can get the following benefits of VR in construction:

Cut construction costs and reduce waste
Conduct training safely and remotely
Speed up project planning
Boost worker engagement
Present and market their project with style

Even if VR development falls outside your company’s area of expertise, you should know that creating such an experience is absolutely accessible. Hundreds of software development companies with experience in immersive solutions are operating on the market today, and you can certainly find a reliable partner that offers VR construction services.

Quelle:

https://program-ace.com/blog/vr-in-construction/

26. April 2021 0 comment

Examples

Make Real & Kelbray Partner On Immersive Construction Training Solutions

British XR specialist Make Real has a broad product portfolio ranging from training solutions for traffic marshalls to consumer videogames like Loco Dojo. This week the team has announced a new partnership with Kelbray, a civil engineering and construction services company to create a range of virtual and augmented reality (VR/AR) applications.

The partnership sees both companies form MRKL LLP as they look to build a range of products catering for the construction industry. Initially, these will utilise Make Real’s SkillShield training application support tool which includes features like timestamped evidence of completed training and native Oculus Quest support.

The training applications MRKL LLP has planned aim to enhance and improve offerings throughout the industry, offered as off-the-shelf licensed packages to customers. So that means software, hardware, device management solutions and training, allowing companies without any XR knowledge to put these products to use.

“After working closely with the Keltbray XR team for the past three years on internal applications, we felt it was the right time to form the official partnership, to co-create and offer validated immersive technology training applications to the wider construction sector. These initial products have been in development over the past year with internal user testing and feedback, until we all agreed that they were ready to go to market. That time is now,” said Ben Dykes, Client Services Director, Make Real Ltd, in a statement.

“We are delighted to have established our formal partnership with Make Real after a number of years successfully working with Keltbray Extended Reality, led by Dave Rowe to create applications which push the boundaries of what is possible with Mixed and Virtual Reality in the construction industry,” adds Holly Price, Group Skills and Communities Director, Keltbray.

“Our SkillShield platform provides the missing link in virtual reality training, creating indelible records connecting the trainee irrefutably to the evidence of their training. Added to this, direct access to Keltbray Lifting Services, led by Steve Leyton, has enabled us to produce industry-leading immersive training content that will help transform the industry’s approach to people development, and bridge the growing skills gap in our industry.”

Make Real’s training products already include Slinger Signaller, Traffic Marshall and Rear Guard.

Quelle:

Make Real & Kelbray Partner on Immersive Construction Training Solutions

24. Februar 2021 0 comment

Knowledge Research

6 monumental and revolutionary VR construction tools

Virtual reality in engineering and construction provides many great opportunities for greater efficiency and safety.

Virtual reality is revolutionizing many industries, including construction. VR in construction has enhanced a number of processes, most notably walkthroughs.

In this article, we’ll take a look at a few of the virtual reality tools shaping the future of construction and engineering.

Project Modelling

VR in construction allows professionals to take models from 2D drawings like the one above to fully-immersive worlds.

One of the most impressive uses of virtual reality in engineering is the technology that permits designers to model even complex physical spaces so they can be analyzed from anywhere.

There are many pieces of software that architects can use to achieve this, including programs that transform Revit models into immersive VR worlds.

Companies are using this software collaboratively to conduct team walkthroughs of designs before ground even breaks. This allows for a level of detail and analysis of engineering that isn’t always possible with drawings and 3D renderings viewed in non-VR formats.

5G & Cloud VR

With the increasing availability and affordability of VR devices, professional users are demanding improved access to their files from anywhere in the world.

Unlike text documents and photos, however, VR files — particularly those that capture renders of engineering marvels — can be cumbersome to deal with in the cloud.

Things are rapidly changing, however, and the development of the 5G mobile network, in particular, will make remotely accessing large-scale VR renders more convenient with lower latency, shorter download/upload times, and greater flexibility.

Equipment Simulations

Technological advancements of VR in construction have made possible the creation of realistic simulators used to train workers on heavy equipment functionality and safety.

To be clear, equipment training simulators have existed for some time now but enhancing them with VR provides a number of benefits that experts believe makes for more efficient training.

Jim Colvin, who is the CEO of a company called Serious Labs, points in particular to the combination of D-Box actuators with VR. This, he says, helps VR simulations trigger fight or flight mechanisms that will help trainees understand both the physical and visual sensations associated with mishaps like bumping equipment into objects.

LIDAR + VR in Construction

Virtual reality tools and those of the augmented reality-variety often get confused. While they are different, many brilliant minds are combining these two pieces of technology with great success.

For example, augmented reality allows professionals to scan a room with lasers (also known as LIDAR) and then convert that data into a virtual reality model.

Advances in this technology have made it substantially more convenient for certain applications than mapping spaces by hand within the software.

VR in Engineering with HoloLenses

HoloLens technology can help professionals transition from constantly referring to paper drawings to seeing guidelines superimposed on the environment they’re actually working in.

When many people think of VR, they think of an entirely immersive experience that cuts them off from the outside world.

While this is certainly possible with VR in engineering (and advantageous for some situations, like viewing project renders) there are also some virtual reality technologies that maintain a connection with the outside world, to great effect.

For example, Microsoft has pioneered HoloLens technology that consists of translucent goggles which can help engineers visualize the placement of structural components like rebar together.

Instead of periodically referencing drawings to stay on track, professionals can view visual cues in real-time with their own eyes, making for much greater efficiency.

Remote Technology + VR in Construction

The aforementioned examples of virtual reality tools in construction allow users to interact with models resembling real-world structures and equipment.

New developments in VR technology, however, are making it possible for workers to enter a virtual reality world and control or observe an actual object.

This combines remote technology, camera technology, and virtual reality to provide a number of incredible benefits.

For one, imagine a technician requires another expert’s insight on a maintenance situation. Instead of describing the problem over the phone, which may be too complex to do accurately, the technician can invite the expert to put on a VR headset and instantly place themselves on the job site, where they can provide better insights.

Another scenario where remote technology and VR in construction are providing tremendous benefit concerns the completion of risky work.

For example, technicians can achieve all the benefits of being on the job site (seeing things up close and from multiple angles, etc) while actually working from a VR headset in a safe location and controlling a robot that is at the scene.

Virtual Reality in Engineering and Construction: Conclusion

As you can see above, virtual reality in engineering and construction provides many great opportunities for greater efficiency and safety. Central to the progress of these technologies are those (like 5G) that will make them easier to access from anywhere, with low latency.

As VR technology progresses, it will undoubtedly play a more central role in all aspects of life. Much like the same computer screens, construction professionals rely on today for work and play, eventually VR will become just as readily, cheaply, and easily available. It will be second nature — very fitting given its name — soon.

Quelle:

6 monumental and revolutionary VR construction tools

26. November 2019 0 comment