How augmented reality is revolutionizing data center construction – DCD

This simplicity is also important to keep health and safety at the heart of any device. Good design means fewer distractions, protecting workers in an environment where full concentration is non-negotiable. Hardhats must be penetration-resistant, shock-absorbent, water and fire-resistant and easy to use. Thus, ensuring an AR headset is built with construction protocols and safety in mind is crucial

For instance, the Atom’s headset has been built with this in mind and is BSI/ANSI certified for hardhat impact, penetration and visor optical protection.

We’ve also delivered a built-in safety check, so those using the headset can undertake a health & safety risk assessment specific to their site. To ensure users are aware of their surroundings and avoid any potential hazards on-site, they can always see their feet. The headset is also equipped with an AR emergency shut off feature which allows the user to turn off the AR overlay instantly should it be necessary or in the event of a safety hazard.

In addition, to avoid unnecessary disruptions to work, the Atom uses hot-swappable internal battery modules, allowing the user to experience an all-day lifespan by swapping them in/out.

Addressing the pain points

For AR to be indispensable to those within the construction industry, it must directly enhance the users’ ability to deliver efficiency and productivity gains and, of course, increase quality in real-time.

Around 30 percent of the work performed by construction companies is actually rework. Essentially, rework kills productivity and can steal months from projects, leading to budget overruns and missed deadlines.

As you can imagine, on time sensitive projects like data centers, this can cause a significant headache for contractors, labourers, owners, and architects. But it can, in fact, be avoided.

However, with AR we have a unique opportunity to identify, track and fix errors, before they even happen, changing the way we work, for good.

With Augmented Reality, designers, construction teams, project managers and architects can save time and money, while eliminating the need for rework due to the ability to take a more proactive approach and deliver enhanced insights.

What was once a major pain point for the industry can now become a thing of the past, getting data centers online, on time and within budget.

Mission accomplished

AR has come on in leaps and bounds since its early predecessors and has risen up the ranks to become an invaluable tool for contemporary construction.

From eliminating rework and mistakes to offering invaluable insight, it can break down silos that exist in industry today and streamline the entire project lifecycle.

We’re already witnessing the transformative effects of our work in engineering-grade AR on mission critical projects, delivering cost and time savings, and arming construction teams with the tools they need to proactively tackle data center builds across the UK, Ireland, US, Denmark and Sweden.

As the technology becomes more widely adopted across industry it will drive efficiency, accuracy, reduce waste and improve the safety and reliability of construction projects. A future where all builders are building from holograms is not so far away.