Trimble collaborates with Microsoft to extend its product capabilities for Microsoft HoloLens’ Mixed Reality solution and its key stages of design, build and operation workflow. Read on…
Mixed Reality technology blends real world objects with digital content, interactively, and in real time. It helps users efficiently interpret physical and digital information, and the spatial relations between them. Microsoft HoloLens is a wearable, self-contained holographic computer. The device features a see through, holographic display and advanced sensors that map the physical environment. HoloLens enables users to interact with 3D holograms blended into the real world. The technology allows users to pin holograms to physical objects and interact with data using GGV — gesture, gaze and voice — commands.
Between reality and virtuality
Mixed Reality (MR) spans the purely virtual and purely real environments. In the context of the building industry, this is the phase in which digital and real content co-‐exist, where architectural design collides with reality, and where construction teams transform digital content into physical objects. In today’s practice, the interpretation of digital content and its translation to real world objects, heavily depend on the user’s spatial understanding. And since this is an error prone process, it demands a highly skilled workforce. Interpretation errors are common during the design and construction stages, and often result in poor quality, cost overruns and schedule delays. Visualising digital content as holograms in the context of the physical world bridges the gap between virtual and real, and eliminates the current workflow’s inefficiencies.Moreover, while the physical world is finite, Mixed Reality presents the opportunity for an infinite environment in which additional data such as schedule, specs, and simulation can be overlaid onto the world, creating a hyper-‐reality environment.
Real 3D visualisation
The AEC industry is spatial by definition.The last few years’ transition from 2D documents to 3D models was a natural evolution, which improved team communication andcoordination. The 3D models are common today, but still, interacting with volumetric data behind a 2D screen is extremely limited. Mixed Reality and holographic technology bring the models out of the screen and help users to engage and interact with design data more intuitively. Using Mixed Reality, users can walk around and explore the design in real 3D without the need for an expert to guide them and dictate their point of view. The freedom to move along the Reality -Virtuality Continuum is additional advantage of Mixed Reality, with a major impact on the efficiency along the design-‐build-‐operate workflow.
Also Read the Blog – Trimble brings path breaking technology Microsoft HoloLens to the AEC industry
Seamless translation
Mixed Reality technology blurs this line — the information is superimposed on the physical environment. This minimises the need for translation and reduces subjective interpretation. The user visualises the design in context, and can better understand, interact with and execute the required actions in real time. The immediate visual feedback also supports a more effective production control process. Overlaying design on as-‐ build structures reveals any deviation and provides immediate feedback.
Extending the digital thread
Integration of business workflows and improved communication are clear goals in today’s AEC industry. Project delivery methods like IPD and technology changes such as BIM support this trend and have proven to positively impact project quality, cost and schedule. Mixed Reality technology supports integration and collaboration along three main axes:
The project Stage Xxis: design to build (and operate): Mixed Reality brings 3D data to life and puts information in the user’s hands without the need to change or adjust the data format.
The Digital to Physical Axis: The abilities to integrate digital and physical content and present data in context improve communication and leverage confidence in decision-making.
Office to field axis – design to build, build to design: Using Mixed Reality technology, construction, teams benefitfrom access to geo-located,context-‐based data, which canbe projected and anchored to the physical environment around them.
Impact of Mixed Reality: Integrated with Trimble products and with BIM models as a main data sources, Mixed Reality improves communication, tightens workflow integration, and enables real time collaboration with remote teams.
