Augmented Planning: How The Construction Industry Is Relying On Virtual Reality

Construction is a dangerous business. There are a lot of things to consider when starting a project - one of which is ensuring the safety of workers. Construction managers understand that there are many moving parts in any project, be it a high-rise building or industrial building. Builders have to document each process and update their stakeholders on their progress. These reports have traditionally been made using photographs or on-site tours. Virtual reality gadgets have changed this.

Image Source: sourceable.net

Planning: The longest phase of any construction is the planning. Architects and builders collaborate to design a model that suits their client’s needs while following protocols set by regulatory agencies. Building Information Modeling (BIM) have replaced traditional blueprints and allow for increased collaboration between builders and stakeholders. Virtual reality sets enhance this communication even further by providing access to a 360-degree view of the plan.

Construction: During the actual building, augmented reality gadgets are used to spot weak areas. This eliminates the need for workers to go to dangerous areas unless necessary. Moreover, these virtual reality devices are a fantastic way to train construction workers on effective strategies for extenuating circumstances.

Marketing: The real estate industry is now relying on virtual reality gadgets to market specific properties. Construction professionals can now do the same. These augmented reality sets capture the entire project that can be saved and transmitted to other clients in real-time. The effect is that construction companies have an online portfolio of their work which improves their business relevance.

It has been noted that the construction industry was one of the last sectors to involve itself with technology. Yet the past couple of years has seen a significant shift. It is interesting to see where and how much the construction industry will use technology to its advantage.

Image Source: linkedin.com

Lisa Dudzik of Perth, Western Australia, oversees construction projects across several industries, including those for subways, roads, and highways. For more insights on the construction industry, follow this Twitter account.