Leviat, CRH’s global construction accessories business, has launched an ambitious project to use Augmented Reality (AR) to improve the installation process of its products on the jobsite.
Leviat has partnered with Capgemini, the world’s leading platform for AR creation, to pilot the use of a disruptive technology that will support the quick and efficient install of its accessories products.
AR superimposes a computer-generated image on top of the user’s view of their surroundings. This provides a more accurate view of the building or structure because it provides a more precise 3-D view of a 2-D drawing.
This technology allows the user to review the accuracy and completeness of their hardware placement against the design produced by Leviat engineers. It acts as a second layer of quality control, before concrete is poured, and allows the customer to keep record of the products being placed in the panel, for further inspection purposes.
Currently, installation guidelines are complex drawings that can be misinterpreted or followed incorrectly. This can lead to improper installation which can lead to costly repairs, and it can sometimes prove dangerous. The Leviat team was inspired by recent developments in AR to improve these instructions via an easy-to-understand, interactive technology.
Although the partnership is still in pilot, Leviat and Capgemini have addressed issues associated with precision, drifting, and accuracy, to improve project outcomes. This partnership is testament to CRH’s commitment to delivering innovative solutions and demonstrates how we embrace new technologies to push the boundaries of what’s possible, to address customer pain points.
The technology is still under a variety of trials, but if deemed successful and scalable, it can reduce the customer’s time spent on quality control and inspection during installation and eliminate the costly mistakes of inaccurate installation.
Importantly, the use of this disruptive technology works hand in hand with engineers and contractors on site, who will continue to refer to the full project plans and use tape measures to place the lift and brace hardware, while capitalizing on the additional layer of quality control to ensure their accuracy.
Across the Atlantic, RiverBend Materials, A CRH Company is also using AR in an innovative way to attract, train and re-train employees in getting their Commercial Drivers Licenses (CDL), required for the operation of heavy trucks to deliver materials on the road. With the support of CRH’s Innovation Fund, the team commissioned two mobile training simulators, which can replicate any vehicle transmission, any truck type and other heavy equipment used on site, such as loaders, haulers, dozers, excavators and skid steers. The use of simulators aims to promote the positive impact of AR including improving safety by providing new drivers with simulator experience before they ever step foot in a cab, and the efficiencies created by reducing the manual labor required to deliver skilled training. Additionally, training in a simulated environment reduces the use of diesel.
