How Virtual Reality is Improving the Construction Industry

1. Creation and Pitching

Although no one is doubting the accuracy of designed schematics created manually by hand, the best way to see how a final project will look like is through a detailed visual rendering. This technology allows the architect to be in the room that he or she is designing and make alterations where he or she sees fit.

This technology also comes in handy when a designer or a developer wants to pitch a certain project to an investor. It helps them sell the idea easily since the financier actually sees where his or her money will go, should they decide to invest.

Virtual reality also helps developers sell housing and commercial real estate to buyers before the buildings are even completed. The technology creates a rendering of the complete house and allows potential tenants to have a virtual walk through of the building.

2. Protection Training

Construction is one of the riskiest professions since an accident can happen at any time. For example, you could be lifting a beam with a crane and it suddenly collapses. In such a dangerous environment, your workers need to know about the various safety measures that they can take to avoid or minimize the chances of injury.

Virtual training solutions are helping contractors train their workers effectively through a controlled environment. Unlike classroom learning where everything is taught in theory on a whiteboard, virtual learning creates an interactive environment the builders can easily relate with. As a result, the workers are more likely to pay attention.

Virtual learning is also very hands on. This form of training comes in handy for machine operators, such as crane and forklift handlers, since it helps them get used to using the equipment. The virtual environment enables the machine operator to practice through trial-and-error without hurting anyone. This technique is effective because it allows the worker to come up with a modified safety routine that maximizes on his or her strengths.

3. Cost Savings

Virtual reality in construction is helping contractors and developers save millions by analyzing the project before it even begins. There are often errors that arise after construction has begun, such as problems with the foundation or measurements. Perhaps you thought that material A was needed, but it turns out that B is the better option due to certain environmental or structural factors that you never thought would affect the project.

Virtual reality allows you to recognize such errors before they occur. Usually, the user replicates actual physical and weather conditions in the virtual environment. That way, the building is created under the same conditions as the proposed one. The designer can then walk through the design and modify the structure accordingly, eliminating weaknesses and design flaws.

As a result, the developer ends up with a completely efficient and fully functional housing model. The developer can commence construction comfortably, knowing that whatever is budgeted for is what will be used. Additionally, the virtual reality results can be used as evidence to prove the soundness of a building and get fast approval from the construction authorities.

4. Collaboration

Before virtual reality, an architect designed a project for a client according to their specifications. Then, the client gave the plan to his or her builder and engineer who would agree   costs before the work began. Once the construction began, the builder could only make minor changes if they ran into problems while following the original plan. There was a lack of collaboration among all the parties.

Nowadays, the situation has changed. Most professionals in the construction industry want to undertake virtual learning due to its perceived benefits. Virtual training solutions have made it possible for architects and builders to collaborate on construction assignments. Most virtual reality online classes allow the participants to form discussion groups or chat rooms.

These chat rooms enable professionals from different backgrounds in the construction industry to get acquainted and collaborate on actual projects outside the virtual learning environment.

Conclusion

Virtual reality in construction is proving to be very effective. It enables developers to save on construction costs and attract investors and buyers. On the other hand, virtual training solutions have improved safety in the construction industry.

For more information on the benefits of virtual reality in construction, contact us.