How immersive technology in construction is shaping the future of the industry

The construction industry has always been on the forefront of technological innovation. From the use of 3D printing to robotics, technology is allowing us to build faster, safer and more efficiently than ever before.

However there's a growing revolution in the industry exploiting immersive technologies such as virtual and augmented reality to give everyone in the project lifecycle superhuman abilities.

The future of the AEC industry is one where we can quickly iterate and test buildings without breaking ground, see the future phases of construction in situ and have X-Ray vision to see through walls to see where wires and pipes are.

These tools can provide greater accuracy, better collaboration between teams and even allow customers to get involved in the design process on site - all with incredible speed.

Let's take a look at some examples of how these technologies are being used today.

Surveying

LiDAR is a powerful tool for surveying in the construction industry. It has the capability to build up millimetre accurate 3D representations of sites with geospatial data. But this accuracy comes at a cost that puts it out of reach for many businesses.

At Razor, we wanted to search for an affordable alternative to this costly tech, and get it into the hands of those workers on the frontline of construction.

Fortunately, new LiDAR technology embedded into Apple's iPad Pro devices offers an accuracy of 1-2% from actual, providing a more accessible solution to surveyors. This tech enables them to preview 3D scans on location with their customers and even do some design work together.

This opens up an exciting new way of working that businesses in the construction sector should consider exploring.

Design time

VR is a tech that has been used by architects for some time now. However, with more and more low cost, untethered solutions on the market, the accessibility of this technology is rapidly growing, as are the possibilities for application.

Virtual reality provides architects with a wealth of opportunities to design better buildings faster. From enabling collaboration among designers to simulating accessibility for people with disabilities, immersive technologies offer tangible benefits that can help businesses create more efficient projects while improving client satisfaction levels.

VR can help architects design for better outcomes for people with disabilities, such as being wheelchair bound, or vision impairments such as colour blindness or tunnel vision which is common for people with dementia. Care facilities can be designed to produce better outcomes for patients and staff.

With low-cost headsets like Oculus Quest now available on the market, it's never been easier for companies in this sector to take advantage of these cutting edge tools and maximise their potential.

Construction

Construction companies can revolutionise their work with immersive technology. An abundance of data is captured during surveying, which can be mixed with plans made by architects to give rich data overlays to construction crews.

With these tools, contractors gain x-ray vision to see through walls to have real-time access to blueprints in precise locations that show where services should be added.

Hard hats are already being developed that integrate with Microsoft Hololens for more advanced applications - but simpler AR options can also be created at a fraction of the cost.

Ongoing care

With the rise of immersive technology, construction companies now have access to a new realm of opportunities for monitoring their buildings with Digital Twins.

Modern buildings are bristling with sensors that can keep tabs on everything the building does, from plumbing to electrical to the stresses the building endures from strong winds.

The use of Digital Twins allows us to create rich experiences that enable us to visualise all of this data from the sensors. This enables faster working, diagnosis of problems and better resolutions.

And this technology doesn’t just apply to new buildings. Razor recently retrofitted its 100 year old building with sensors that allow users to see a hidden data-rich 3D overlay in real time using Microsoft's Hololens.

This type of innovation creates faster working methods, easier diagnoses when problems arise, and step-by-step instructions on how repairs should be made - making life much simpler for businesses within the industry.

Conclusion

Immersive technology is revolutionising the construction industry by providing innovative solutions that are leading to improved outcomes from project conception through completion.

As a result of these powerful technologies, businesses in this sector can look forward to more efficient workflows and higher quality results overall.

Start your immersive technology journey today...

Want to know more about how immersive technology can transform your construction business?

With Razor's immersive technology solution, now is the perfect time to revolutionise the way you do business. Book a demo today and experience firsthand how immersive technology can streamline processes, boost productivity, and create higher quality outcomes.

With Razor's cutting-edge solution, you can bring projects to life faster and with greater precision than ever before. It's time to embrace the future of construction and get building with immersive technology!