Augmented Reality and the Construction Industry

The construction industry has finally caught the technology bug (AR).  From plot location, house design, house construction, to the selection of the fixture and fittings (furniture) of the modern house.  Augmented reality is the tool that provides the craftsmen and customer a finite view of the project throughout its lifecycle or construction.

Augmented Reality is the use of technology to overlay virtual imagery (computer generated graphics – 2D/3D) and information on top of real world images. The real world image could be a live video stream collected from a camera enabled device or a still image or photograph(1).  The technology permits the creation of a real representation of what a final design would look like in the real world. It allows the use of precise 3D models coupled with mobile device technology for a live panoramic view of a working project. This pictorial representation coupled with extended information about different aspects of a project is represented by BIM (Building Information Modeling). 

BIM is the process of generating and managing building data during its life cycle(2).  The advantage of using BIM models would include: client walk-throughs, faster estimation, fast remodelling, field reviews, overlay of fixing (pipe/electrical), etc. 

There are many Free Software tools available:

http://www.hitl.washington.edu/artoolkit/ - simple to use
http://www.instantreality.org/downloads/ - some scripting required. Uses X3D.
http://staff.fh-hagenberg.at/jzauner/CATOMIR.html - Some programming skills required http://www.sologicolibre.org/projects/atomicweb/en/ - Web based interface – simple to use.

References

1      http://carolhagen.wordpress.com/2010/12/13/augmented-reality-now-how-3d-visualization-is-   changing-the-construction-industry/

2      Lee, G., Sacks, R., and Eastman, C. M. (2006). Specifying parametric building object behavior (BOB) for a building information modeling system. Automation in Construction, 15(6), 758-776.