Mixed reality for mobile construction site visualization and communication

The article gives an presentation of the AR4BC (Augmented Reality for Building and Construction) software system, consisting of the following modules. The 4DStudio module is used to read in BIMs and link them to a project time table. It is also used to view photos and other information attached to the model from mobile devices. The MapStudio module is used to position the building model on a map using geographic coordinates from arbitrary map formats, e.g. Google Earth or more accurate ones. The OnSitePlayer module is the mobile application used to visualize the model data on top of the real world view using augmented reality. It also provides the ability to insert annotations on the virtual model. The OnSitePlayer may be operated either stand-alone, or in the case of large models, as a client-server solution. The system is compatible with laptop PCs, hand held PCs and even scales down to mobile phones. Data glasses provide another display option, with a novel user interface provided by a Wiimote controller. A technical discussion on methods for feature based tracking and tracking initialization is also presented. The proposed system can also be used for pre-construction architectural AR visualization, where in-house developed methods are employed to achieve photorealistic rendering quality.