FM newsroom- innovation, building management. VR and AR are not unfamiliar terms in the industry, but it’s time to get acquainted with XR! XR is a catch-all term for virtual, augmented and mixed reality technologies, which is now increasingly used by architects and engineers alike for 3D imaging around the world.
Back to basics
VR (Virtual Reality) technology takes the user out of their own reality and places them in an artificial one.
AR (Augmented Reality) extends the actual reality, i.e. it adds additional insights to the overall picture.
MR (Mixed Reality) combines elements of AR and VR, i.e., digital elements that are added to the actual space to interact with reality.
XR (Extended Reality) is a new umbrella term for all the real and virtual environments generated by computer graphics and wearable devices. XR includes AR, VR and MR. While all three “realities” share common characteristics and requirements, each has a different purpose and underlying technology – Realista.Ingatlan.com explains.
XR – What’s new, what’s different?
XR is, in fact, an enhanced version of the other solutions. One of the major differences between XR and VR/AR/MR is that XR does not require a headset. Many augmented reality applications simply use a tablet or smartphone to extract important data or visualizations.
Despite their progress, AR headsets have not reached the level of general acceptance that many had hoped for. Devices such as the Apple Vision Pro were quickly found unsuitable for construction use because they are sensitive to moisture and dust and still require cables and batteries. Prolonged use of VR headsets can cause eye strain, fatigue, and sickness, thus posing a workplace safety risk. It’s no surprise that tech companies have invested heavily in XR in the hope that it will become the new standard in modern construction.
In 2022, Autodesk acquired Wild, the company that developed XR, to add new solutions to its popular design tools. Microsoft has also partnered with infrastructure provider Bentley Systems to develop its own XR tools. This investment has provided construction firms with various tools for working in augmented reality, but these are only useful if firms can train their staff properly.
Without a skilled workforce, it is just another gadget
VR technologies first appeared on the market around five to seven years ago and were then seen mainly as ‘gaming’ technology. Since then, however, the AEC industry (architecture, engineering, and construction industry) has also started using them widely from the design phase to on-site construction.
Much has been said about the role of BIM, and it has brought into focus AR/VR technologies and their enhanced version, XR applications, which designers and engineers use to ensure that design specifications are met during construction. But this is only the beginning, as the devices will need to be better able to withstand prolonged use and the harsh conditions of working environments before they become widespread.
XR technology is evolving and will eventually become an essential element of the construction industry. Clearly, the use of new technology will make large construction projects more efficient and reduce the potential for error. But widespread adoption of the technology will require more robust hardware, user-friendly software, and a more skilled and technically competent workforce.
