Augmented Reality (AR) in Construction – Thematic Research
The global augmented reality (AR) market was worth $8.6 billion in 2021. The market is expected to grow at a CAGR of more than 37% during the forecast period. AR is a technology that allows the user to see the real world overlaid with a layer of digital content such as sensor-based data, location-based data, sound, video, or graphics. AR can be hugely beneficial to the construction industry, delivering tangible benefits to many stages in the construction value chain, from conceptual design through to operations and maintenance.
The adoption of AR in construction is still in its infancy. However, AR use cases are rapidly being realized, and increasing implementation of precursor technologies such as building information modeling (BIM) and cloud infrastructure is enabling adoption. AR can allow multiple stakeholders to be consulted using in-situ augmented walkthroughs and can increase the accuracy of projects.
Global AR market overview
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What is the impact of AR market on the construction industry?
Construction projects are becoming increasingly complicated, spanning large areas and employing a range of external contractors. AR can be employed to quickly bring contractors up to speed with the site and the state of the project. 3D site models can be used in AR to provide site tours and navigation. It can then direct operatives to equipment and tools and highlight necessary components.
AR has the potential to improve safety on construction sites. As it is not fully immersive, operatives will be able to view a construction site while using AR to identify potential hazards. AR devices should run through a health and safety checklist on device startup to ensure that the user is aware of both site risks and the limits of AR. Another use of AR to address the challenge of safety is in training. This includes how to operate dangerous machinery or how to carry out potentially hazardous tasks. Furthermore, safety manuals and instructions can be displayed in AR to ensure the safe use of equipment on site.
Adopting new technologies such as AR can also improve a company’s standing against its competitors. This will increase the likelihood of winning new contracts. However, companies must ensure that operatives have the money to adopt AR. Limited budgets and cash flow issues often prevent investment in new technology. R&D and technology exploration is a vital part of innovation and ensures companies remain competitive.
What are the different value chains of AR market?
The value chains of AR can be divided into five segments: semiconductors, components, devices, platforms, and apps & content.
Semiconductors
Semiconductors are one of the key battlegrounds in AR today. Chipmakers are now striving to improve their existing capabilities to suit the evolving requirements of AR, mostly around screen resolution, frame rates, processing speed, and connectivity.
Components
Much of the major action in AR components is around 3D sensors, cameras, audio, displays, and batteries. These components come together for positional tracking, motion tracking, gesture recognition, and machine vision.
Devices
AR-enabling hardware comes in various forms, including smartphones, eyewear (AR smart glasses), and AR headsets. For consumer AR applications, smartphones are the most used platform, while enterprises typically prefer AR headsets and AR smart glasses, which offer a broader range of functions.
Platforms
Building an AR ecosystem by incorporating both hardware and software is essential for the long-term success of any company in this market. The five prerequisites for a successful AR ecosystem are APIs & SDKs, AR engines – games, AR engines – enterprise, AI, and application delivery networks (ADNs) & content delivery networks (CDNs).
Apps & Content
Content is a major area of concern for AR companies. Snap, Meta, Tencent, and ByteDance have merged AR and eCommerce into their social media platforms, offering users the ability to try on products virtually. The ease of viewing products online, coupled with the ability to interact with those products, gives users a novel and immersive shopping experience.
Which are the key construction companies associated with the AR theme?
The key construction companies associated with the AR theme are AECOM, Bechtel, Doosan, Hyundai Engineering & Construction, Laing O’Rourke, Larsen & Toubro, Royal BAM, Saipem, and VINCI.
Who are the specialist AR market vendors in the construction industry?
The specialist AR market vendors in the construction industry are Argyle, Augview, Cyclops AR, Dalux, Darf Design, Fologram, Fusion VR, Hexagon, Kiber, Scope AR, Spectar, Syslor, Topcon, Trimble, and XYZ Reality.
Market Report Scope
| Market size (Year – 2021) | $8.6 billion |
| CAGR | >37% |
| Forecast period | 2021-2030 |
| Value chains | Semiconductors, Components, Devices, Platforms, and Apps & Content. |
| Key construction companies | AECOM, Bechtel, Doosan, Hyundai Engineering & Construction, Laing O’Rourke, Larsen & Toubro, Royal BAM, Saipem, and VINCI |
| Specialist AR market vendors | Argyle, Augview, Cyclops AR, Dalux, Darf Design, Fologram, Fusion VR, Hexagon, Kiber, Scope AR, Spectar, Syslor, Topcon, Trimble, and XYZ Reality |
Scope
- This report provides an overview of the augmented reality theme. The detailed value chain comprises five segments: semiconductors, components, devices, platforms, and applications and content. Leading and challenging vendors are identified across all five segments.
- It identifies construction challenges, such as ESG, sourcing, and safety, and an impact assessment of AR on the construction industry, addressing these challenges.
- It includes three case studies, outlining market-leading use cases of AR in construction to solve specific challenges.
- It contains comprehensive industry analysis, including forecasts for augmented reality revenues to 2030, and insight from GlobalData’s Job Analytics and Company Filings Analytics databases. It contains details of M&A deals driven by the augmented reality theme in construction, and a timeline highlighting milestones in the development of augmented reality.
- The report has extensive coverage and analysis of relevant companies’ positions in the AR theme. This includes leading adopters, vendors, and specialist AR vendors in construction.
- It includes GlobalData’s unique thematic scorecard that ranks construction companies according to their positioning in the ten themes most important to the industry, of which augmented reality is one.
Key Highlights
AR has the potential to be hugely beneficial to the construction industry, delivering tangible benefits to many stages in the construction value chain, from conceptual design through to operations and maintenance. AR allows multiple stakeholders to be consulted using in-situ augmented walkthroughs. It also supports collaborative design, progress monitoring, and improves user perception of models, ensuring any errors will surface early. Improved accuracy and earlier error detection limit rework, so fewer materials are required and costs are saved.
Unity’s VisualLive, XYZ Reality’s Atom headset, and Visometry’s Twyn have been used in the construction sector to solve challenges such as error detection and rework costs, collaboration difficulties due to travel disruption, and model visualization.
Leading AR adopters in construction include AECOM, Hyundai E&C, Koninklijke BAM, Laing O’Rourke, Larsen & Toubro, and VINCI. They have partnered with equipment manufacturers and specialist AR vendors, while also developing in-house expertise. Many have created apps to visualize models and help identify errors, or AR construction guides and wayfinding apps for external contractors. This helps to improve the utility and applications of digital twins and building information modeling (BIM).
Reasons to Buy
- This report will help you to understand augmented reality and its potential impact on the construction sector.
- Benchmark your company against your competitors, by comparing how prepared 46 companies in the construction sector are for AR disruption.
- Identify and differentiate between the leading AR vendors and formulate an adoption plan for your company.
- Position yourself for future success by investing in the right AR technologies. Cut through the noise with GlobalData’s invest-explore-ignore ratings for each AR technology for each segment of the industry (conceptual design, feasibility studies, planning and permitting, financing, design and engineering, construction, and operations and maintenance).
- Develop relevant and credible sales and marketing messages for construction companies by understanding key industry challenges and where AR use cases are most useful.
- Identify attractive investment targets by understanding which companies are most advanced in the themes that will determine future success in the construction industry.
Key Players
Table of Contents
Frequently Asked Questions
The global AR market was worth nearly $8.6 billion in 2021.
The global AR market is expected to grow at a CAGR of more than 37% during the forecast period.
The value chains of AR can be divided into five segments: semiconductors, components, devices, platforms, and apps & content.
The key construction companies associated with the AR theme are AECOM, Bechtel, Doosan, Hyundai Engineering & Construction, Laing O’Rourke, Larsen & Toubro, Royal BAM, Saipem, and VINCI.
The specialist AR market vendors in the construction industry are Argyle, Augview, Cyclops AR, Dalux, Darf Design, Fologram, Fusion VR, Hexagon, Kiber, Scope AR, Spectar, Syslor, Topcon, Trimble, and XYZ Reality.
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