The Future of Virtual Reality in AEC!
To gain a more comprehensive understanding of the degree of VR usage and research already being conducted within AEC/BIM, we want to discuss current state, use cases, and technologies being used, while focusing also on related future studies. Meanwhile, studies are turning more towards the possibilities of augmented reality (AR) for the construction industry. Early adopters and adapters of extended reality technologies such as Virtual Reality (VR), Augmented Reality (AR), or Mixed Reality (MR) within the building sector are poised to disrupt multiple industries worldwide.
The use of extended reality technologies has improved efficiency of construction sector. Mixed reality has the potential to transform how information is accessed and used within the construction industry. One of the more relevant uses for extended reality and gaming technologies in architecture is the digital twin.
Tech companies working in extended reality and gaming are developing software applications and tools for the architecture, construction, and engineering, as well as real estate industries. As games and companies working in the field of expanded reality create technologies that find applications in the fields of AEC and real estate, we can chart the rise of new tools that are contributing to this sector, expanding our understanding of the industry, and challenging the boundaries of what is possible. For both the AEC industry and its customers, VR is dramatically expanding how we experience buildings before they are built.
VR is one of the emerging technologies that could enhance the design, construction, enforcement, and maintenance processes of many AEC projects. Virtual Design and Construction is becoming the next phase in BIMs evolution. Fortunately, using emerging technologies like augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) has been able to solve all major inbuilt shortcomings in BIM, opening up new areas of improvement within architecture.
There is an entire suite of AEC Virtual Reality applications being used to provide value in Architecture, Engineering, and Construction. Architecture has a lot more potential use cases to leverage AR/VR technologies, including customized security training, security administration, progress tracking, workforce management, defects control, energy savings, understanding the preferences of end users (occupants) and more. When we talk about digitalization in building industries, even virtual reality (VR) is being used increasingly.
Digital-computational technologies are composed of different topics, such as Building Information Modeling (BIM), Artificial Intelligence, Augmented/Virtual Reality, and Cloud Computing. An expanding ecosystem of immersive tech companies, like IrisVR, are bringing advanced virtual reality software solutions into the AEC industry, which are empowering teams to construct better, faster, than ever before. This has led many companies and teams in the building industry to become extremely comfortable using wearables, so we are now seeing a second wave of companies getting interested, looking at what is still possible using wearables, and wanting to scale to fully-fledged AR solutions.
A closer look at those findings shows participants felt using BIM and other VR tools reduced rework, increased productivity, and saved time and money, by reducing conflicts and changes before the physical build began.
