How Augmented Reality Apps and Tools Can Benefit Construction Industry?

Are you in the construction industry? Then, you must need to collaborate and transfer knowledge efficiently across all the parties for the success of any building project.

From planning to organizing to constructing the building and marketing different products, you need to manage all the things if you are in the construction field. There are various other problems and issues that you might be facing in the industry and thinking 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 am going to discuss the recent surge in augmented reality definition and top tools and best augmented reality apps that help in enhancing construction projects.

Today, there are lots of augmented reality apps development companies that 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 grown to 1% yearly and approximately one-third the rate of the world economy and only around one-quarter of the rate in manufacturing.

It appears like 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: Innovation in technology 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 kit 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. With AR apps like SmartReality, 5-D building-information-modelling (BIM)—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 that projected as 3D models. The ultimate BIM interface for construction and real estate.

Problem 2: Design Visualization at Different Phases

A lot of businesses in the construction industry are facing the problem of visualizing design at different phases as they need to explain their clients about the design of the building with different phases.

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

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 contractor or owner to hold a smartphone with the camera facing at the location of the building and they can 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 detail information about the design of the problem. For an 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 were not able to write progress of the projects in the paper as defining the progress in words is quite difficult for engineers. Writing every single report on a daily basis is time-consuming and maintain those reports is not possible. Many a time, it happened that we misplace any paper that results in loss of important information.

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

A right application of it 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 any outdoor docs to comprehend the limits of the quarry.

Problem 4: Safety and Security

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

There are lots of construction companies that are facing the problem when it comes to looking after their workers and engineers who work on site. No matter 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 a display along with a 3D BIM model of the work.
One of the leading software development companies Daqri has introduced “Smart Helmet” that make 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, but Augmented Reality in the construction industry is working like a blessing for them. Various AR apps and tools that mentioned above can help them and benefit them in various ways.

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