VR Increases Construction Industry Efficiency
In an industry with so much growth and opportunity, it is often still riddled with inefficiencies. The construction industry remains one of the least digitized industries today, which can magnify these challenges even further. However, there are pockets of digital growth as companies quickly recognize the potential advanced technologies can have on areas such as training, productivity and collaboration. The global pandemic is also impacting the mindset and tools for working more flexibly and collaboratively, acting as a catalyst for these technologies. Advanced technologies can mean many things — robotics, drones, augmented reality and virtual reality (VR), to name a few. There is a common misconception that many of these technologies, particularly VR, are just for gaming or entertainment purposes. While VR has certainly transformed how people consume content and engage in different experiences, it is also transforming the way companies and individuals work, train and collaborate. The return on investment (ROI) with VR is compelling for companies across all industries — from reduced training costs per employee to increased employee satisfaction. Companies are driving efficiencies in various areas of operations and improving time-to-market, even in complex use cases. More specifically, architecture, engineering and construction (AEC) companies are also using VR to improve their loss/risk prevention. Think about the opportunities for VR within the building and design process — for example, the costs associated with cutting metal — if the design is not done correctly the first time, the project slows, extending not only timelines but also budgets. Developing building specs in VR can help avoid this, and similar, scenarios. VR is also delivering ROI in the form of higher project safety and retention, which in turn can lower insurance premiums. The ability to train, measure and certify people through VR is incredibly valuable and can save AEC companies large amounts of money each year. Precise room-scale tracking in VR enables the physical exploration and interaction of architectural designs in a virtual space, allowing design and construction firms to physically explore and interact with models and designs — from furniture to fixtures to equipment — with scale and accuracy, in the most realistic fashion possible. For example, VR was used in the design and development of the $1.5 billion expansion of the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, which helped resolve 90% of the construction details for the expansion, saving Hard Rock International hundreds of thousands of dollars and countless hours. Different solutions available today, such as Mindesk and VRCollab, are further enabling these types of use cases, driving efficiencies and cost-savings into the design, review and rendering processes by providing real-time collaboration opportunities for colleagues, clients and other stakeholders, regardless of their location. As a result, firms can accelerate the decision-making process, keeping projects within desired timelines.
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