How Augmented Reality Apps and Tools Can Benefit Construction Industry?

Are you in the construction industry? You need to collaborate and transfer knowledge efficiently across all the parties to succeed in any building project.

From planning to organizing to constructing the building and marketing different products, you need to manage all the things in the construction field. There are various other problems and issues that you might be facing in the industry and thinking about how you can face them.
But…

Do you know that the new and latest technology has started to deliver revolutionary ways to better integrate the construction process from start to finish?

In this post, I will discuss the recent surge in augmented reality definition and top tools and best-augmented reality apps that help enhance construction projects.

Today, many augmented reality apps development companies are competing to bring viable augmented reality construction apps and tools, helping builders, engineers, and other individuals, who are facing lots of problems and challenges in the construction industry.

Let’s Have a Look at the Different Problems That Constructors Face and How Augmented Reality Tools & Apps Can Help Them:

Problem 1: Poor Productivity

Today, the global construction industry has a chronic productivity problem. In the last 20 years, the productivity in this industry only grew to 1% yearly and approximately one-third the world economy rate and only around one-quarter of the rate in manufacturing.

It appears like the construction industry has been fixed in a time warp, whereas other sectors are keeping transforming themselves. It is considered that poor productivity in construction is the result of a multitude of factors.

Solution: Technology innovation can make a large contribution to turning this situation across the world. Today, gaining tractions are digital technologies, advanced automation, and new lightweight materials. With digital technologies, projects can be run more smoothly, and digital kits like user-friendly apps allow real-time communication among team members.

Moreover, various AR construction tools and apps are also obtainable in the market that help builders and engineers to improve productivity. AR apps like SmartReality, 5-D building-information-modelling (BIM) a 3-D digital representation of a project overlaid with detail on scheduling and cost.

By installing the app on the smartphone or tablet, you can hold it over different designs or plan files and see 2D drawings projected as 3D models – the ultimate BIM interface for construction and real estate.

Problem 2: Design Visualization at Different Phases

Many businesses in the construction industry face the problem of visualizing design at different phases as they need to explain to their clients about the design of the building with different phases.

It is not easy for them to explain a full-scale model of the building and visualize the entire location of the proposed building through words only. Various clients get confused, and they do not understand the project’s design structure and insight details.

Solution: Now, Augmented Reality helping a lot to various contractors and businesses as this high-end technology leverages the real world to allow the user to see exactly how different areas of a plan fit together. With AR apps, different clashes or issues in design can be addressed easily.

An AR app can easily make it possible for the contractor or owner to hold a smartphone with the camera facing at the building’s location and see a complete scale model of the building on their display.

They can show this real-time visualization to their clients or any architects to provide them detailed information about the problem’s design. For example, SlightSpacePro is one such app that enables users to see their digital models and designs in the form of real-life buildings using mobile AR technology. With this app, you can communicate your vision with your clients and allow them to see it as well.

Problem 3: No Accuracy in Information

Earlier, there was no accuracy in the information because they were right reports in the papers, and maintaining all the paper-based reports is not easily possible for contractors. So, they are finding it hard to maintain the accuracy of the information.

Moreover, they could not write the progress of the paper’s projects as defining the progress in words is quite difficult for engineers. Writing every single report daily is time-consuming and maintain those reports is not possible. Often, it happened that we misplace any paper that results in the loss of important information.

Solution: Now, it becomes easily possible to superimposed exact measurements and location specifications onto the users’ field of view. Such information can be delivered based on the user’s – current location and information from the plan.

A right application would be during the dig phase of a project, where tunneling was partial to a particular area. Using AR technology like smart glass that can be implemented into the windshields of construction equipment, the operator does not have to refer to any outdoor docs to comprehend the quarry’s limits.

Problem 4: Safety and Security

As we all know, safety and security always play an important role when your workers work at the site. But how will you consider their safety and look after them every time? It is not possible to go after every worker and check their safety.

Many construction companies face the problem when it comes to looking after their workers and engineers who work on site. Whether it is for allowing a more detailed safety plan to be developed or giving training on heavy equipment, it is not easily possible.

Solution: Augmented Reality has the potential to improve safety on the construction site. Now, AR has made it possible to walk to a particular area of construction and having a safety checklist or a recap of that day’s safety meeting specific to the task at hand pop-up on display along with a 3D BIM model of the work.

One of the leading software development companies, Daqri, has introduced “Smart Helmet” which makes use of AR and other sensor technology to monitor workers in different areas of construction sites.

This AR-based helmet can easily monitor workers’ major signs like skin temperature, attention, fatigue, stress level, etc., and deliver real-time information and analysis. By having such information about the workers, you can manage your workforce and take care of their safety. Now, avoid safety risks with this helmet because any unsafe activity can abolish a well-planned schedule.

Conclusion

So, these are the different problems that a lot of businesses in the construction industry are facing. Still, Augmented Reality in the construction industry is working as a blessing for them. Various AR apps and tools mentioned above can help them and benefit them in various ways.

Ultimately, Augmented Reality in the construction industry is an up-and-coming option that enhances productivity in the construction industry, so it would be a good choice for this industry to adopt AR apps and tools that benefit them in many ways.