The Augmented Worker

Abstract

Virtual reality (VR) is already well established in the aerospace and military sectors, and is becoming commonplace for certain business activities in other sectors such as architecture, automotive, healthcare and retail. Augmented reality (AR) is now also being pioneered for commercial use, with clear benefits identified in layering digital information onto the physical world around workers and practitioners. The Soluis Group has been at the vanguard of these developments, exploring advancements in AR technology and its applications for commercial use. The business has specifically identified the benefits of augmented reality wearables in construction and high-end manufacturing. This led to Soluis working with Crossrail and Innovate UK to explore applications and test AR live on-site. Following delivery of a pioneering proof of concept, it is has become clear that the AR application Soluis developed has considerable benefits to the construction industry, with potential applications in several other sectors.