Use of virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) for business use has been growing recently. The construction sector in particular, have been using such technology to improve safety and demonstrate to customers and investors what a building will look like on the site once it is complete. That technology is receiving a boost in the UK thanks to a £1 million (GBP) investment from the Government.
The UK-based Augmented Worker System (AWE) consortium has received the investment money with the goal of improving access to VR and AR technology in the UK construction sector. Several businesses and organisations, such as Soluis Group, Carbon Dynamic and the Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre will collaborate to form an AWE Consortium.
The AWE system will be charged with developing technology such as VR and AR to improve five key areas: Co-design, digital job guidance, progress monitoring, safety and asset management.
Christopher Freeman, Augmented Reality Technical Fellow at AMRC said: “We are delighted to be working with Soluis in this program. The AMRC sees activities such as AWE central to the digitalisation of construction and infrastructure. The integration of cutting-edge technologies into a data rich platform such as AWE will help push UK productivity forwards by enabling better communication and more effective decision making.”
AR and VR technology in building and construction has been used to help students see what a new campus building will look like, teach apprentices how to safely operate a crane, and plan the layout for new offices.
VRFocus will continue to report on new advances in VR and AR technology in the construction industry.