Comparing the Functionality between Virtual Reality and Mixed Reality for Architecture and Construction Uses

Abstract

Virtual Reality (VR) and Mixed Reality (MR) offer unique opportunities for the architecture and construction industry through different approaches with building information modeling (BIM). While VR offers architecture and construction practitioners the ability to personally experience the built environment in an immersive, MR with its unique ability of overlaying digital information in the real world allows practitioners to perform on-site visualization for construction planning and as-built verification. With their similar but distinct characteristics, VR and MR offer a variety of functionality to the architecture and construction industry that often confuses practitioners on what to choose to best fit their needs. To clarify this confusion, this paper investigates the available technologies of VR and MR in terms of both hardware and software and compares the functionality between the two for architecture and construction uses. While VR hardware has been developed into three categories based on their connection types and tracking methods, MR hardware has mainly focused on standalone devices. Eight VR software and nine MR software have been identified, investigated, and compared. This paper provides the latest information for architecture and construction practitioners on how VR and MR hardware and software work similarly and differently.

Mixed Assessment of Virtual Serious Games Applied in Architectural and Urban Design Education

“…In the vast majority of cases, the programming of the sensor has been carried out, considering individual project specifications due to the lack of standards [28][29][30]. The particular solutions developed have been determined to improve specific practices and/or subjects at the teaching or professional level [31][32][33], including architecture [34][35][36][37]. In all these practices, one key concept of VR systems is the "presence", which has been defined as "the sense of 'being' in the VR world" [38].…”

Building information model visualisation in augmented reality

“…The practical application of using AR software and devices has not been sufficiently explored. This research expands on previous studies on the integration process (DaValle and Azhar, 2020; Alizadehsalehi et al , 2020; Prabhakaran et al , 2020) and AR application evaluation (Huang et al , 2019; Huang, 2020) with an in-depth study on superimposing techniques. Although much prior research has established the process for integrating BIM and AR, this research addresses the need for more precise superimposing and examines the integration of BIM and AR from a practical point of view.…”

Comparing three XR technologies in reviewing performance‐based building design: A pilot study of façade fenestrations

“…Huang reviewed commercial hardware and software of VR and AR for AEC usage. 71 Olbina and Glick applied VR and AR to the field of construction management education, and they found that VR performed better than AR regarding all measured indicators. 72 Another research group reviewed AR and VR applications in architectural design and proposed an alternative system including both AR and VR.…”

“…Lastly, some scholars compared AR and VR in the AEC domain specifically. Huang reviewed commercial hardware and software of VR and AR for AEC usage 71 . Olbina and Glick applied VR and AR to the field of construction management education, and they found that VR performed better than AR regarding all measured indicators 72 .…”