Augmented Reality in Construction: Everything Construction Leaders Need To Know

Ever been on a construction site and felt like you're drowning in a sea of blueprints, measurements, and project plans? You're not alone. Construction is like a high-stakes information relay race, with everyone from architects to contractors passing the baton of knowledge back and forth to bring projects to life.

By 2030, experts predict global construction spending will skyrocket to a mind-boggling $15.5 trillion. That's enough zeroes to make anyone's head spin.

But while the construction world is busy laying down bricks and counting profits, it's also riding the wave of Industry 4.0 – a fancy term for the tech revolution that's reshaping how you work, build, and innovate.

Leading this charge is augmented reality technology.

Augmented Reality (AR) enhancing the real world with virtual info overlays in real-time. You see the real world, but with helpful digital overlays—project plans, safety warnings, you name it—all popping up right before your eyes. It resembles a digital construction site, where the integration of reality and technology streamlines your tasks. 

Augmented Reality in Construction with Use Cases

Historically, AR hasn't been a regular on construction sites. Why? It's had its problems, from wonky alignments to tracking hiccups. But that's old news. In the past decade, augmented reality technology has leveled up big time. Now, it's not just for cozy office collaborations or virtual design simulations, it's out there in the trenches, spotting defects, and keeping tabs on every nail hammered and beam raised.

• User Experience - interactive with the real world

• Flexibility - handheld

• Number of Users - information can be viewed by multiple users simultaneously

• Working Environment - indoor/outdoor

• Field-to-office sharing & Communications - yes

What's driving AR forward:

• Everyone's got AR. Thanks to ARKit and the explosion of AR effects on social media, AR is no longer a niche technology. It's everywhere, making it easier than ever to dive into immersive experiences.

• Environment understanding. Machine learning is taking AR to new heights. Augmented reality applications can now identify objects in your surroundings, not just see them.

• Advanced sensors. With sensors like LiDAR and UWB chips becoming standard in many devices, smartphones can now capture their surroundings in 3D and identify objects within them.

• Advanced cameras. Today's devices boast multiple cameras, perfect for capturing the world in stunning detail. From wide-angle lenses for mapping to camera pairs for stereo vision, these cameras are the eyes of modern AR.

• Accelerometers and gyroscopes. These sensors keep track of your movements, even in less-than-ideal conditions.

• Depth sensors. These sensors accurately measure distances, ensuring precise object placement in AR.

• Improved tracking. From world-scale tracking to object tracking, AR apps now have a better understanding of the environment.

• More realistic rendering. High-res 3D graphics, PBR materials, and global illumination make AR experiences look and feel more lifelike.

• Complex interactions. Gesture recognition, object occlusion, physics simulation, and audio spatialization enhance user interactions in AR.

Types of Augmented Reality in Construction

When it comes to AR in construction, there's no one-size-fits-all approach. Different types of AR bring their own flair to the table, each aimed at boosting efficiency and making projects run smoothly.

Marker-based

Also known as image recognition, this type relies on markers like QR codes or pictures to trigger computer-generated information. When the camera detects the marker, it overlays digital data onto the real-world object, aiding in quality improvement and error reduction during construction.

Marker-less

Unlike marker-based AR, this type doesn't require specific markers. Instead, it uses cameras and sensors, along with complex algorithms, to identify real-world elements such as walls and surfaces. By mapping out the environment, marker-less AR can seamlessly integrate virtual objects into the physical world. With this tech, you can overlay plans onto walls, gauge distances, and visualize complex layouts.

Location-based

This type uses GPS or other location-tracking AR technologies to overlay digital information onto specific geographical locations. In construction, location-based AR can be utilized to provide on-site workers with contextual information based on their current position, such as safety hazards or material storage locations.

Projection-based

Here, 3D graphical images are projected onto physical objects, aligning with their geometrical shapes. This type serves as a guide for users, offering real-time solutions and insights, particularly useful for understanding complex structures within construction projects. For instance, architects can use projection-based AR to overlay detailed building plans onto a scale model during design reviews, enabling precise visualization and feedback.

Superimposition-based

This type replaces or enhances real-world objects with virtual ones through projection. By partially or fully overlaying virtual elements onto physical objects, superimposition-based AR provides an augmented view, aiding in tasks such as equipment enhancement and visualization of design changes.

Outlining AR

This type focuses on outlining specific elements within the construction site. For example, outlining AR could be used to highlight areas where excavation is required or to mark the boundaries of a new building foundation, aiding workers in understanding project scopes and spatial relationships.

8 Benefits of Augmented Reality in Construction Industry

Did you know? According to McKinsey and Co, large projects often run 20% longer than planned and can go over budget by a whopping 80%.

There are multiple benefits that come with using augmented reality in construction. Let’s explore some of them.

1. Safety And Training On Heavy Equipment

Safety has no start or end date — it’s always at the top of the list.

In recent years, there has been a significant emphasis on safety in construction, alongside efforts to enhance the efficiency of equipment training. Augmented reality is now playing a pivotal role in addressing these concerns. By leveraging mobile devices or wearable AR headsets, glasses, or watches, AR provides real-time visual guidance to construction workers, helping them identify and avoid potential safety hazards on job sites.

Moreover through AR-enabled devices, operators can practice operating machinery in virtual environments, gaining valuable experience without risking injury or damage to equipment.

2. Cost and Time Management

• Error reduction. Visualizing project outcomes early on helps construction teams identify and correct potential errors, significantly reducing costly rework and material waste.

• Efficient resource use. Guiding workers with AR ensures optimized material and labor use, cutting down on unnecessary expenditures. AR-supported safety training allows workers to learn without fear of repercussions. This results in fewer equipment damage incidents, lower rates of worker injuries, and decreased workers' compensation and insurance claims.

• Streamlined processes. Integrating AR streamlines design and construction processes, saving time and reduce costs. Moreover, AR can streamline training processes, reducing the need for lengthy, in-person sessions.

3. Winning Bids

You're trying to win a construction bid, and you need to impress your client with your design. Traditionally, you might whip up a physical mock-up—a costly and time-consuming process. But not with augmented reality.

You show your client a 3D model of the proposed construction project, right there in the room. Need to make a change? No problem. With AR, you can tweak the design on the fly, saving time and money. Moreover, you can superimpose the model onto the actual construction site or scale it down for a boardroom presentation.

4. Marketing & Pre-Visualization

Imagine being able to see real-time measurements and important data right at the site of your future construction project. That's what AR technology brings to the table. Architects and designers can use AR technology to showcase 3D models of their designs in a real-world environment, allowing clients and stakeholders to gain a better understanding of the project's scale, identify potential design flaws, and assess its appearance and placement within the environment. By overlaying this data onto the real world, AR helps spot potential design flaws before construction even begins.

Catching these issues early on can save construction companies a boatload of cash. Just take the Walkie Talkie building in London, for example. You might have heard about it—it's the one that famously melted cars and cooked eggs with its concave glass wall. Yeah, not a good look. The initial construction costs were sky-high, not to mention the extra dough they had to shell out for corrective work afterward.

Here's where AR could've saved the day. If the architects, planners, and inspectors had AR on their side, they could've spotted the design flaw before it became a major headache.

5. Planning and Scheduling

By facilitating visualization before construction begins and integrating with Building Information Modeling (BIM), AR enhances project planning accuracy and efficiency. Building owners benefit from AR through digital twins of completed projects, offering comprehensive insights into infrastructure and streamlining maintenance operations. These digital twins also serve as strategic guides for renovations or expansions.

Furthermore, AR empowers maintenance workers with access to digital manuals and repair guides, along with remote support services, ensuring efficient task execution.

6. Team Collaboration and Communication

Miscommunication and project management errors often lead to higher costs and missed deadlines, which can shake stakeholder confidence. Augmented reality can share information and data in real-time, making it easier for professionals from different disciplines to work together.

Construction workers can visualize and discuss design plans, share measurements, and track progress. Imagine being able to see and talk about the same 3D model, no matter where you are. This detailed data helps site managers, contractors, and superintendents keep accurate reports and adjust work as needed. It means different trades can work simultaneously and collaboratively, saving time and money.

7. Defects and Quality Management

Nobody likes a surprise—especially when it comes to construction defects. AR-enabled walkthroughs shine a light on potential issues before they become expensive fixes, saving time, money, and headaches down the line. Through overlaying digital models onto real-world environments, augmented reality offers construction professionals a comprehensive view of their projects. This capability enables them to proactively address issues and maintain quality throughout the construction process.

8. Accelerating Decision-making

In construction, informed decision-making is critical for project success. Augmented reality aids in this process by providing project stakeholders with enhanced visualization tools and data-driven insights. By overlaying relevant information onto physical environments, AR enables stakeholders to assess design alternatives, evaluate project progress, and make informed decisions that align with project goals and objectives.

From Innovation to AR Implementation

By 2024, augmented reality in construction industry will evolve from a mere visualization tool to an integral part of construction processes. Here's why:

Effortless Design Modifications

AR will become the go-to for sharing design changes, making life easier for early adopters. Forget messy emails and confusing drawings. With AR, you'll visualize changes instantly, using real-time scans and 3D models. For example, if you're considering adding a new floor, AR can show you exactly how it will fit into the building's layout before any construction begins. This tech combo will smooth out the design process, bringing architects and field workers together for seamless collaboration.

Efficient RFI Management

Suppose you're a construction manager dealing with a Request for Information (RFI) about a specific area of the project. Instead of sending back-and-forth emails or making time-consuming site visits, AR can help you address the issue more efficiently. For example, using AR with spatial mapping capabilities, you can visually document the site conditions and share precise details with the project team instantly. This reduces the time spent on resolving RFIs and keeps the project moving forward smoothly.

Bringing Field and Factory Together

AR will bridge the gap between on-site work and off-site fabrication. Real-time data from the field will guide fabrication, ensuring everything fits perfectly when it arrives. This tech integration will make off-site construction more flexible, adapting to changes on the fly. If a wall panel is slightly larger than specified in the plans, AR can highlight the discrepancy and prompt adjustments in the manufacturing process to avoid delays during installation.

Staying Ahead of the Game with Proactive Management

With AR, project managers won't just react to problems—they'll predict and prevent them. By analyzing data in real-time, they'll catch issues before they snowball, saving time and money. For example, AR visualization of structural integrity data may reveal areas of corrosion in a bridge support column, prompting preemptive repairs to prevent a catastrophic failure. Plus, workers will have all the info they need at their fingertips, ditching the paper plans for good.

Training, but Make it High-Tech

Let's say you're a construction worker learning how to operate a complex piece of machinery, like a crane. Instead of traditional training methods that involve reading manuals or watching videos, AR can provide immersive, hands-on training experiences. For instance, AR-based training simulators that allow operators to practice operating heavy equipment in a virtual environment before stepping foot on a construction site. This not only improves safety but also accelerates the learning process and boosts confidence.

Elevate Your Construction Projects with Zolak Showroom and Immersive Tech

At the heart of Zolak's company is Zolak Showroom, a powerful platform that leverages state-of-the-art algorithms and neural networks to create lifelike 3D replicas of environments. With Zolak Showroom, construction leaders can capture the current state of spaces, envision renovations, develop specific room designs, and even facilitate material fitting—all with remarkable accuracy and realism.

Renovation of business projects:

• Capture the current state of business premises like hotels or restaurants using Zolak's technology.

• Clear out the existing layout and envision the space post-renovation with Zolak Showroom.

• Plan the new layout and design, incorporating new furniture and decor.

• Present a clear visual representation of the post-renovation space, aiding decision-making and facilitating visualization of the transformation.

Design development of specific rooms:

• Designers can utilize Zolak Showroom to create visual representations of design concepts for clients.

• Superimpose digital furniture and decor onto existing room photos to illustrate ideas and present them for review.

• Customize layouts, furniture, and decor to align with client preferences and project requirements.

Material fitting:

• Capture the room where materials like flooring or wall coverings need to be fitted.

• Utilize the configurator to adjust material appearance, allowing clients to see how options complement surroundings.

• Facilitate seamless material selection and visualization before making decisions.

Virtual staging for real estate

• Real estate agents can virtually stage properties for sale with Zolak Showroom.

• Enhance empty room photos in property listings by adding digital furniture and decor.

• Improve visual appeal to help potential buyers envision living in the space, increasing property desirability and sales potential.

As the construction industry evolves, embracing immersive technologies like Zolak Showroom becomes increasingly essential for staying competitive, delivering exceptional results, and exceeding client expectations.

What's the next step for you? Request a demo from us. Let us show you how Zolak can take your construction business to the next level.