Episode 07 -
Empowering teams

Exploring efficiency, project delivery, and digital twins with reality capture in Architecture, Engineering and Construction

What’s contributing to the slow adoption of digital technology in AEC? What are the barriers, and how can we overcome them? How can reality capture unlock growth for AEC? And what trends are shaping the future?

Barriers to efficiency are holding back the AEC industry. It could be losing time due to inflexible contractors or discovering hidden problems on-site once a job is already underway.

While digital technology answers some of these challenges, the AEC industry has been slow to adopt it. However, that picture is changing, according to Francis Valera.

In his day job as a virtual construction associate, Francis oversees reality capture efforts at HITT – a leading general contractor in the United States. His role involves using laser scanning to collect highly accurate and immersive data that highlights the existing mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems, as well as the various structural elements of a space.

He believes low adoption could come from an overreliance on pencils, paper, and tape measures on-site. Francis says that when something has been done a certain way for so long, there can be apprehension to change.

That feeling is heightened when there’s a price tag attached to the latest piece of high-tech equipment.

It means upfront costs and not fully understanding the benefits of new technology are hampering the technology adoption rate. However, Francis feels a change is underway.

Tackling the AEC cost-benefit conundrum

Francis is now seeing a dramatic increase in the uptake of reality capture technology. For example, more project managers understand the value of point cloud data integrated with their coordination efforts.

Describing point cloud data as the biggest value add, he believes this is one area to show stakeholders the benefits of new technology and drive further change. Savings enabled by laser scanning in the pre-planning stages of projects are also helping – even potentially scanning space where a contract has not been won yet.

For Francis, this produces a constructability report overlaid with point cloud data, which can help identify potential issues before the construction process begins. It's harder to put a value on this effort, as a project manager might not know the impact of an issue until it arises.

Instead, laser scanning can be used to mitigate risks that can cause inefficiencies. And the more complex a site or building, the bigger the risks can be.

Preserving high-value assets and features is another strong laser scanning use case in AEC. Francis explains that on one project, there was a requirement to retain an ornate ceiling tile – despite the need to tear the ceiling out to install new fire protection. Using laser scanning he was able to share point cloud data with a subcontractor to make replica ceiling tiles.

In another project, the client needed a specific type of fireplace, only housed in certain locations, to be replicated. Laser scanning captured the data for a 3D-printed replacement fireplace.

Looking to a robotics-powered future in AEC

With project managers prioritizing to find cost savings and efficiencies, a continued shift towards in-housing for laser scanning is expected.

Francis explains that around 95% of HITT’s laser scanning work is carried out in-house. It creates much more flexibility in their work schedule, as there is less reliance on third-party contractors who may have scheduling conflicts. It can also mean much faster turnaround times on any scanning requirements.

Looking further into the future, the automation of on-site scanning is creating excitement. He envisages a future of robots and drones on job sites, carrying out scanning with processing happening overnight, and data ready the following day.

Early experimentation is already underway. Francis explains that HITT currently has a robot deployed on one site with some promising data coming back, and the company is looking at how robotics can be used for future jobs.

The potential for AI integration with laser scanning is another growth area for innovation in AEC – specifically when using data modeling from a point cloud. And while digital twin technology is still in its infancy for AEC, laser scanning will play a critical role. Francis believes the integration of point cloud data with digital twins is the direction of travel for reality capture in the future.

Using innovation as a talent magnet in AEC

Francis says quickly scaling teams is a pain point for contractors due to a shortage of highly qualified talent.

However, companies embracing new tools can look more attractive to prospective employees. Francis believes this is one way to attract the best and the brightest graduates coming out of universities, who he feels want to work with the latest and greatest technology.

Because the use of technology is so ingrained in younger generations, Francis sees a unique opportunity to challenge the status quo as a way of bringing new talent into the industry.

The broad accessibility and low technical skill requirements of laser scanning also open new career paths for people that they may not have thought feasible.

Unlocking this wider talent pool will cement the role of reality capture in an exciting future for the AEC industry.