Virtual reality opens new perspectives for communication and customer involvement in construction. Sweco, Varjo, and Teatime Research are together exploring the possibilities of VR using state-of-the-art technology.<\/p>\n \u201cI think that the use of VR in construction is still at a visionary stage and useful practical applications are rare,\u201d says Niina Jaatinen<\/strong>, Service Manager at Sweco. \u201cWhen we learned about Varjo\u2019s exceptional technology, we thought that maybe it\u2019s now time to start developing the really useful apps customers would yearn for.\u201d<\/p>\n Sweco<\/a> started a KIRA-digi experimentation project<\/a> with Varjo<\/a>, the startup using patented Bionic Display\u2122 technology. Jaatinen also wanted to have a project partner with a lot of experience in developing VR for the built environment, so Teatime Research<\/a>, a software startup, was asked to participate.<\/p>\n The first phase of the project will identify the most promising use cases for high resolution VR and assess their feasibility and business potential. Once the project team has come up with a short list of applications, they will test them in case studies.<\/p>\n Jaatinen says that the project may come up with a killer app, but it might also conclude that none exist yet. There are many potential applications for VR in construction. We\u2019ve already seen apps for design, marketing, sales, training, construction planning, and maintenance, but the breakthrough app is yet to come.<\/p>\n The project team has already identified several case studies. One of them is a control room simulation for the extension of the West Metro in Espoo. They also have a few industrial projects in the pipeline.<\/p>\n Will the new technology lead to real benefits in the construction process? Sakari Salli<\/strong>, CEO of Teatime Research, knows that just having a lot of ideas is not enough.<\/p>\n \u201cConstruction industry customers are now willing to examine new things, but they want working solutions,\u201d says Salli. \u201cUsers have to integrate VR in their processes and thinking so that after the initial hype and enthusiasm, valid solutions still thrive.\u201d<\/p>\n Teatime Research has gained a lot of experience in developing VR software for real estate marketing. With Varjo\u2019s high-resolution VR headset, the user experience will improve considerably. The materials and textures look unprecedentedly realistic. You can even read small print in VR, something that has previously been impossible.<\/p>\n \u201cThe huge construction industry has been slow in adopting cutting-edge technologies, but this time that\u2019s not the case,\u201d says Markus Heinonen<\/strong>, Senior Business Analyst at Varjo. \u201cIt will be interesting to see how the use of next-generation VR technology will affect customer behavior.\u201d<\/p>\n Simulation with previous VR headsets has not been satisfactory because of their low resolution. Being able to see even the smallest details could be a game-changer. In the control room pilot, users can read real-time IoT sensor data on the control panel\u2019s gauges.<\/p>\n By replacing physical environments with virtual ones, remote simulation becomes possible. That\u2019s a big cost-saver. The technology is useful in training operations and safety procedures.<\/p>\n VR as a communication tool can improve collaboration between project participants because the designs are visible in real-life size. High resolution models make design inspection quicker, which reduces the number of errors.<\/p>\n \u201cTo get the full benefits out of VR, we must make it business as usual. We\u2019ll have to change our working habits accordingly,\u201d Jaatinen anticipates.<\/p>\n Because it is part of the government-supported KIRA-digi program, the VR experimentation project will be releasing its findings publicly. The project team will show demos at the WDBE 2018<\/a> summit in September. Attendees can personally experience Varjo\u2019s mind-blowing VR technology in the exhibition area.<\/p>\n The project partners will gain useful experience from the project. The results will help Sweco to make decisions about further investments in the new processes and technology. In the autumn, both Varjo and Teatime Research will launch new products that will speed up the adoption of VR in the construction industry.<\/p>\n These high resolution images were shot through the Varjo Technology Demo headset with the Sony DSC-RX 100M4 camera, optics and zoom. The cropped images show the same region of view as seen through the Oculus CV1 headset (right) and the Varjo Technology Demo headset (left), using Bionic Display\u2122.<\/p>\n More images at\u00a0https:\/\/varjo.com\/media\/<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\nFinding the Killer Apps<\/h2>\n
![\"Niina](\"https:\/\/aec-business.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/Niina-Jaatinen-Sweco.jpg\")
Niina Jaatinen, Sweco<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nThe Next Generation Experience<\/h2>\n
![\"Sakari](\"https:\/\/aec-business.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/Sakari-Markus-Teatime-Varjo-1200x732.jpg\")
Sakari Salli, Markus Heinonen<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nExpected Benefits<\/h2>\n
Results by the End of 2018<\/h2>\n
Sample Images<\/h3>\n
![\"Demo](\"https:\/\/aec-business.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/san-francisco-varjo-1200x344.jpg\")
<\/p>\n![\"-\"](\"https:\/\/aec-business.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/architecture-varjo-1200x381.jpg\")
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