AR in Construction: How Does It Measure Up to Traditional Tools?
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The Shortfalls of Traditional Tools
When we rely on 2D drawings, we’re putting a lot of trust in our team’s ability to interpret those plans correctly.
And more often than we’d like to think about, this can and does lead to mistakes.
Misinterpretations ignite into rework, wasted materials, and schedules getting pushed back—frustrations every general contractor knows all too well.
Manual measurement is another area where human error can bring about costly consequences.
And while physical mockups give us something tangible to look at, they’re time-consuming to create and still don’t offer anyone a truly realistic picture.
These issues can quickly blow up the budget and timeline—and also put a strain on relationships between designers, builders, and clients.
The design-build gap is particularly frustrating, especially since it’s been around for eons.
Designers put together detailed plans, but translating those 2D drawings into 3D buildings over on the job site?
It’s a complex process, to say the least, one that demands explicit coordination and clear communication between all parties involved.
Miscommunications are unfortunately common, and the final build can easily fall short of what was initially envisioned.
This gap creates tension, often leading to a blame game between teams and workers that erodes trust and teamwork.
Augmented Reality: Tomorrow's Vision - Today
Let’s talk about something that’s shaking up the industry—Augmented Reality (AR).
Imagine being able to use a mobile device to see and interact with a 3D Building Information Modeling (BIM)model of the building plans overlaid directly onto the job site.
AR does exactly this, and more, and it’s bridging the gap between design and reality like never before.
This means your team can visualize how the design aligns with what’s being built—whether you’re just breaking ground, mid-construction, or wrapping things up.
It’s like having a superpower that lets you catch errors early, before they have a chance to turn into costly mistakes.
But AR isn’t just about seeing things more clearly.
It’s also a powerful tool for planning and executing even the most complex builds.
Take Mechanical, Electrical, and Plumbing (MEP) systems, for instance—where building it right the first time is a must.
AR provides detailed guidance, to help your team place systems accurately and spot any clashes before they can become problems.
Boosting Efficiency: The Real AR Payoff
One of the biggest benefits of AR is how it empowers field workers.
Now they can spot any discrepancies right away, while they’re looking at them, so these issues can be addressed sooner rather than later.
By enabling such in-person comparisons and reducing the need for rework, AR helps streamline processes, leading to significant time and cost savings.
Breaking Down Communication Barriers: AR in Action
In the realities of the jobsite, communication is everything.
AR takes collaboration up to the next level by allowing users to create issues directly within the app and assign them on the spot.
Whether it’s flagging a discrepancy between the BIM model and what’s actually being built or noting a potential clash, these issues can easily be shared with relevant team members, whether on site or back at the office.
This makes it that much easier for problems to be addressed promptly and clearly, before they become bottlenecks, keeping the project moving ahead without unnecessary delays.
GAMMA AR: Taking Your Projects to the Next Level
This is where GAMMA AR comes into play. We’re at the forefront of AR technology for construction, offering a solution that’s as intuitive as it is powerful.
Our technology is designed with today’s construction professionals in mind.
With GAMMA AR, teams can collaborate more effectively, spot issues before they escalate, and finally deliver better project outcomes faster.
Download the free trial version of GAMMA AR from the App Store or Google Play, and take the first step toward smarter, more advanced construction.
Need a personalized demo or have specific questions?
We’re here to help. Reach out to us via phone or email, and let’s discuss how GAMMA AR can make a difference on your jobsite.
