MICROSOFT HOLOLENS
Mixed Reality applications blends real world objects with digital content , interactively , and in real time . It helps users efficiently interpret physical and digital information , and the spatial relations between them .
Unlike Virtual reality - in which the user is fully immersed in a digital world , disconnected and isolated from the surrounding - mixed reality is anchored to the physical space . This allows keeping the user engaged while enriching the environment with related digital content .
There are three main aspects of mixed reality which provide clear advantage for construction workers :
i ) Real 3D Visualization The Architecture , Engineering and Construction industry ( AEC ) is spatial by definition . The last few years ’ transition from 2D documents to 3D models was a natural evolution , which improved team communication and coordination . 3D models are common today , but still , interacting with volumetric data behind a 2D screen is extremely limited . Mixed Reality and holographic technology bring the models out of the screen and provide users the ability to engage and interact with design data more intuitively . Moreover , unleashing the 3D model democratizes the data by offering a natural way to experience and understand the design . While years of education and practice might train architects to visualize their designs in 3D , other stakeholders have a hard time deciphering them .
By using Mixed Reality , stakeholders can walk around and explore the design in real 3D without the need for an expert to guide them and dictate their point of view . The freedom to move along the Reality - Virtuality Continuum is an additional advantage of Mixed Reality , with a major impact on the efficiency along the design-build-operate workflow . For some decisions or specific tasks , a real “ unmodelled ” world is required as visual input .
For other tasks , a mixed reality – a “ world partially modelled ” – or even a completely immersive Virtual Reality mode is ideal . With Mixed Reality , the user controls the “ mix ” and adjusts it according to his task requirements . Mixed Reality and holographic technology also improves remote collaboration . The ability to share 3D holograms with remote stakeholders ,
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