Augmented Reality for Architecture, Engineering, Construction, and Operation (AECO)

Part 1. Property Management

Throughout its entire lifecycle, a real estate unit produces a vast amount of valuable data that starts from its design and planning phase, through construction, operation, and eventual disposal.

Much of this data is lost or goes unused while it could benefit all the stakeholders from architects and general contractors to facility managers and property owners. Despite modern architectural designs being created using digital tools, the digital twin of the building is rarely used beyond the construction phase.

Augmented reality (AR) presents a massive opportunity to capture those inputs and utilize them when relevant. AR devices are spatially aware which allows them to record events, take notes, create media, and save other data contextually i.e. next to the physical asset it belongs to. Creating and enriching the digital twin of the building becomes simpler for anyone who interacts with it.

The use of AR can be particularly beneficial in property management as it can enhance transparency and provide easier access to information. Property owners are responsible for ensuring that their buildings are maintained in a safe condition, which involves conducting detailed inspections, keeping meticulous records, and carrying out continuous maintenance. Inspection records must comply with government regulations, and several contractors may be required to perform the necessary work.

Inspectors wearing AR headsets will be able to record any detected issues digitally just in two steps. First, they will create the location marker and place it on the area of interest. This marker will only be visible in the AR environment to anyone using the AR device with the relevant setup and permissions. Second, they will record any observations again through the headset. This may include marking up the checklist, making notes, taking pictures or videos, or recording the voice notes.

This will result in the creation of a multi-dimensional Condition Report. Not only it will contain all the relevant records supplemented by rich media but those records will be mapped to the physical locations and could be accessed both on the 3D model of the building and in the building itself. Additionally, as historical records accumulate, users will be able to retrospectively analyze trends and identify patterns.

Headsets can not only capture but also display information. Technicians can make maintenance manuals or step-by-step instructions available in the same virtual interface to support them during the repair. Simply entering the serial number of the piece of equipment will call the relevant user manual, maintenance history, or troubleshooting video.

Learn more about Spector, an AR platform built for industrial inspections.