Challenges and enablers of augmented reality technology for in situ walkthrough applications

The successful implementation of situational-awareness enhancement using next-generation augmented reality in construction project walkthroughs has significant associated challenges. In this research, an augmented reality (AR) approach was developed to evaluate and showcase the trade-offs between capacity, latency, and reliability for the technology. The approach, named “i-Tracker”, overlays visualizations of designs by creating virtual content to be superimposed into physical contexts. i-Tracker uses the latest generation of mobile computing technology to effectively locate design information from existing parametric engineering designs (architectural, structural, and mechanical objects) and create a fully animated scene in situ. The i-Tracker technology uses a combination of depth-sensing cameras and inertial measurement unit (IMU) sensors. The evaluation of this technology demonstrates the requirements and limitations applicable to the implementation of this technology in job sites. In the example use case, the device’s relative position and orientation with respect to the user are estimated. Performance features such as motion tracking, localization, error dispersion with respect to luminance, system processing speed, and ambiguity in the feature tracking are evaluated. i-Tracker contributes to the body of literature and current work on the use of positioning and tracking systems in real construction sites within the AR context. This project advances understanding of rapid implementations and the use of AR visualizations on job sites, utilizing significant progress in mobile and ubiquitous computing with faster central processing units (CPUs) and graphical processing units (GPUs).