There has been a lot of talk around augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) in the construction industry. Now, a new, emerging technology is set to change how business is done: mixed reality (MR).
Here is a quick breakdown of all the different technologies and a comparison:
- VR places the user in another location entirely. That location can be computer-generated or captured by video.
- With AR, the visible natural world is overlaid with a layer of digital content.
- With MR, virtual objects are integrated into the natural world. This could include a virtual ball under your desk.
Going more in depth, MR is the blending of the physical world with the digital world. It is sometimes referred to a hybrid reality. Microsoft claims that it is the next evolution in human, computer and environment interaction and unlocks new possibilities.
Now, technology companies are coming to market with new headsets that are designed specifically for mixed reality. One example comes from ASUS, which offers the ASUS Windows Mixed Reality Headset. This is capable of more than virtual reality. Users can discover mixed reality apps that allow them to explore new places.
Many more construction companies will continue to leverage the technology as it gets better and more affordable and it offers more capabilities to improve workflow and solutions become more plug and play.
This offers a number of opportunities for the construction industry including helping construction professionals interpret digital and physical information and the spatial relations between them. Mixed reality can also help improve collaboration during design, construction and through operations.
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