HoloLens AR application for improving construction work performance

Overview

This application is part of an ongoing research project with the Future of Work Collaboratory at CU Boulder. The app is currently built for use on Hololens as well as Android devices. The app is made using Unity with the Vuforia SDK which allows for image tracking using the phone's built in camera. The app allows the user to step through the assembly of a basic pipe model which is superimposed onto a physical test bed. The user can then display information about individual parts like length, step number, and part name. Additionally, the model is able to be rendered translucent so as to make visible the contents of the pipe (e.g. hot or cold water). The application is also able to detect collisions with physical objects so as to warn construction managers of collisions prior to construction.

The videos below demonstrate various features and early iterations of the application including toggleable Level of Detail, collision detection, and dynamic connections between physical and virtual pipe segments.

Research

The primary goal of this research is to improve the future of construction work by gaining a deeper
understanding of how the level of detail and origin of design information impacts the work performance of construction workers. This will support a more thoughtful approach to the adaptation and implementation of emerging technologies, including augmented reality, to support construction workers as they translate abstractions of a facility (i.e. design) into a tangible asset.