What the Microsoft HoloLens Means For the AEC Industry
Have you heard about the HoloLens? I must admit, when I first heard about it, I couldn’t believe it was real. The HoloLens has created quite a buzz in the AEC and Manufacturing sectors following the Microsoft Build Conferenceheld between April 29 and May 1, at San Francisco. For those who have been living under a rock, Microsoft HoloLens is the first holographic computer running Windows 10. It is completely untethered — no wires, phones, or connection to a PC is needed. Microsoft HoloLens allows a person to pin holograms in their physical environment and provides a new way to see the world.
Read on to know what this technology is all about and the possibilities it brings to the world of Architecture, Engineering and Construction.
What’s a hologram, you ask? Well, as described on the official website, A hologram is an object like any other object in the real world, with only one difference: instead of being made of physical matter, a hologram is made entirely of light. Holographic objects can be viewed from different angles and distances, just like physical objects, but they do not offer any physical resistance when touched or pushed because they don’t have any mass. Holograms can be two-dimensional, like a piece of paper or a TV screen, or they can be three-dimensional, just like other physical objects in your real world. The holograms you’ll see with Microsoft HoloLens can appear life-like, and can move, be shaped, and change according to interaction with users or the physical environment in which they are visible.
Before we dive in, let’s just admit that we’ve been hearing a lot about Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR) in the recent times. Is this holographic tech related to AR or VR in any way? Microsoft explains. Holographic computing experiences with Microsoft HoloLens are different from existing experiences, such as AR or VR.
With AR, the user sees a layer or screen of data that overlays the real world. While this data can be contextual to the user’s location, or where the device’s camera is pointed, it is not the same as being able to see holographic objects pinned, or anchored, to specific physical locations or objects in the real world.
With VR, the user is completely immersed in a computer-generated reality, or virtual world. While immersed in a virtual world, users are best advised to stay seated or keep still to avoid collisions with physical objects they cannot see in the real world. Holographic experiences on Windows are about delivering a mixed reality that lets you enjoy your digital life while staying more connected to the world around you — transforming the ways you create, connect, and explore.
As you can probably gauge from the video below, HoloLens may literally change how we see the world. Of course, it’ll be great fun to experience these virtual worlds on top of our own. But think of the possibilities when you can actually use gestures to interact and create in a way we never could using the conventional computing devices.
Microsoft has already partnered with biggies in the AEC, Manufacturing as well as Media and Entertainment sectors like Autodesk, Unity, Dassault Systems and Sketchfab to take things to the next level. 3D printing is one very promising arena where sparks are flying, quite literally. Yes, I’m talking about Autodesk’s ambitious new platform, Spark. You can read more about it in this interesting article at 3DPrint.com.
At Techture, we’re always looking at new technology that is changing the way buildings are made. Microsoft Hololens is that kind of invention which has the potential to bring a sea change. Imagine if BIM could be seamlessly integrated with the HoloLens. This video by Trimble showcases how that world would look like.
There are broadly 2 types of ways in which people interact with BIM models. Either they are involved in development and editing of the models or they are simply viewing it. Both these aspects are aptly addressed by the HoloLens, however, I feel that people will use it more as a visualization tool at first rather than using it for modelling.
I think that one of the foremost things that this technology could augment would be coordination. True, 3D models have already brought in a great way to visualize clashes and all the coordination issues but seeing a life size 3D model and discussing in real time would be game changing. There are some things that the screen size limits in current devices. However, the entire space around you is your screen in HoloLens. I can see walkthroughs and visualizations being taken to a completely new level because of the HoloLens. Having experienced the Google Cardboard, I can vouch for the fact that these kinds of devices provide a truly immersive experience. If people can actually collaborate in real time as shown in the video above, then it will lead to a lot of benefits during the design phase as well as during the execution of the project.
If we look at this from a modelling or creation perspective, then the possibilities are endless. There are many constraints posed by a physical device. As human beings we haven’t been naturally programmed to interact with 3D objects using a mouse and a keyboard, and neither a 2 dimensional screen. By using gestures to interact with these holograms, these physical boundations are removed, and a more natural way of interaction prevails. When the Leap Motion was announced a couple of years back, the world got a device which brought this kind of technology in the hands of the common public at a very nominal cost. I haven’t got a chance to try it out myself, and probably I won’t be able to, since there is no support for Revit and some other 3D applications which I use frequently. However, it seems to be doing well and I have heard people talk about how accurate it is. I hope we get the same or better level of control using HoloLens, otherwise the device can become vexing really soon. The question still remains. Will it fit in the everyday lives of professionals working in the construction industry? The challenges in adoption arises because of the kind of precision Will it end up as just another fancy device which will say gathering dust once the charm fades? Only time will tell. I do hope I am able to get my hands on it and review it.
I’m very eager to see developers build applications around this device and integrate it with existing ones. One of the great things in BIM is parametric modelling, and I can imagine being able to dynamically change these parameters and flex my Revit models by using gestures in a very similar way that I am able to do using Dynamo.
