Zero latency: Real-time synchronization of BIM data in virtual reality for collaborative decision-making

Virtual Reality (VR) has attracted increasing attention of the Architecture, Engineering, Construction and Facility Management (AEC/FM) industry in recent years, as it shows a great potential to improve workflow efficiency through enhanced common understanding. A problem with current VR applications...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Automation in construction 2018-01, Vol.85, p.51-64
Main Authors: Du, Jing, Zou, Zhengbo, Shi, Yangming, Zhao, Dong
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Architecture
BIM
Building management systems
Cloud computing
Collaboration
Construction
Data transfer (computers)
Decision making
Earphones
Engineering
Facilities management
Information latency
Metadata
Real time
Synchronism
Time synchronization
Virtual reality
Workflow
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Summary:Virtual Reality (VR) has attracted increasing attention of the Architecture, Engineering, Construction and Facility Management (AEC/FM) industry in recent years, as it shows a great potential to improve workflow efficiency through enhanced common understanding. A problem with current VR applications in AEC/FM is that the manual conversation from official design data (e.g., a BIM model) to VR displays is difficult and time consuming. There is a lack of automated and efficient data transfer approach between BIM and VR. In this paper, we will introduce a BIMVR real-time synchronization system called BVRS, which is based on an innovative Cloud-based BIM metadata interpretation and communication method. BVRS allows users to update BIM model changes in VR headsets (such as Oculus Rift DK2) automatically and simultaneously. We tested BVRS in a variety of design change scenarios including changing object dimensions, changing object locations and changing object types. Results confirmed the usability and efficiency of BVRS. •This study develops and tests a system that transfers BIM data to VR in real time.•This study proposes an innovative metadata transfer protocol for VR.•The proposed system improves collaborative decision-making in AEC.•It contributes to BIM literature with a real-time visualization method.•It also contributes to AEC decision by reducing information latency.
ISSN:0926-5805
1872-7891
DOI:10.1016/j.autcon.2017.10.009