Virtual Reality (VR) is a technology that simulates an environment and gives the user the feeling of being present in the simulated environment. It can be used for a wide range of applications, such as gaming, education, and the healthcare industry.
Using VR in construction can help reduce material waste and optimize the utilization of resources. Here are some ways that you can use VR to visualize and collaborate on a project.
Visualization
One of the most obvious uses for virtual reality is in architectural visualization. This allows architects and designers to create photorealistic virtual walkthroughs of a space that clients can experience long before construction actually begins. This helps reduce on-site errors and miscommunications and gives clients a more accurate vision of their final building.
VR systems utilize a display that splits a picture into two views for a stereoscopic effect, combined with input tracking to establish an immersive and believable experience. Unlike the traditional screen-based simulations like a monitor or computer, virtual reality headsets use haptic feedback to make users feel as though they are actually in the environment. This makes VR a unique and compelling tool for delivering the fullest sense of presence.
Architects also use virtual reality for testing their designs and discovering design flaws and challenges. This saves time and money in the long run as it eliminates the need to rework designs during construction. It also allows architects to optimize their designs for greener and more sustainable buildings.
Another use for VR in construction is training and safety. During construction, workers often handle dangerous equipment that requires perfect skill and knowledge to operate safely. VR can be used to simulate risky situations and help train employees to avoid mistakes or accidents. This leads to safer and more efficient work, and fewer on-site injuries and accidents.
Collaborative Design
Virtual reality (VR) is an immersive environment that can be used by multiple people to collaborate in the same artificial world. This technology is often used for training purposes and can be beneficial for remote workers. VR can be accessed through headsets, which map different environments in space and let users interact with them using avatars or 3D characters. It can also be combined with augmented reality, which combines real-world environments with computer-generated content.
VR applications in built environment practice often involve interdisciplinary teams and span a range of spatial and temporal scales – from individual site or component levels to building and urban contexts. In these contexts, VR has been used to communicate information and facilitate discussions about a variety of topics including energy consumption, environmental impact, cost, assembly, maintenance and user experiences.
However, the interdisciplinary nature of VR use in built environment practice can lead to challenges when attempting to engage a broad range of users. VR systems typically offer a first-person experience and require the use of head-mounted displays (HMD). While these features are necessary for VR to be effective as a communication tool, they may inhibit social interactions or even misrepresent the intended environment. Thus, the challenge is to develop flexible VR configurations that can be tailored to specific information and interaction needs for given uses.
Communication
Visual communication has long been a critical element of built environment practice for the dissemination of design and project information to broad user groups. Virtual Reality is well suited to addressing communication challenges that are exacerbated by the inherent complexity of built environment projects that span multiple disciplines and scales from building components to urban contexts.
Various VR visualization applications have been deployed to communicate design information to diverse users. While realism is generally seen as essential for communicating the aesthetic and structural integrity of design, more abstract representations have been used to support more creative solutions to problems such as accessibility of spaces or maintenance equipment or indoor comfort levels.
The use of immersive VR systems has also been used to provide an opportunity for broader user groups to engage in collaborative discussions and review of project data with the assistance of experts. This is particularly beneficial for projects with greater societal impact and a desire to engage the full range of affected user groups.
However, the use of VR for communication has a number of limitations. A key challenge involves the perception of movement speed in VR. Users have been shown to under-estimate walking speeds in VR and to struggle with the transition between confined spaces and vast areas of space. These issues are being addressed with the development of new software that allows for the overlaying of virtual reality environment data to help address these perceptions and communication challenges.
Training
Virtual reality is a computer technology that creates an immersive 3-D world for the user. It uses a special head-mounted display and lenses to simulate reality, giving the impression that you are actually in the simulated environment. VR can also be used for cinematic experiences and other entertainment purposes.
Training is another important use case for VR. This can be especially useful for high-risk or highly specialized professions such as firefighters, EMTs, police officers, surgeons or soldiers. VR can help prepare these professionals for dangerous situations and help them learn how to respond in a way that minimizes risk.
The sense of presence is also valuable for training purposes. For example, a virtual tour of a residence can help potential buyers get a feel for the property before making a purchase. This saves time that would otherwise be spent visiting properties in person. In addition, it reduces the likelihood that a buyer will choose a property that isn’t right for them.
In addition, VR can be used to train construction workers on how to recognize safety risks and follow protocols. This can reduce on-site accidents and injuries, as well as improve worker performance. VR is becoming increasingly popular for both entertainment and professional use. It can be used in the education, design, engineering, manufacturing, healthcare and training industries. A number of studies have been conducted on the effectiveness of VR for learning.