Remote Support in Construction via AR: Supporting Sites Beyond Distance

Are you struggling with labor shortages, skills transfer challenges, or the burden of travel on construction sites? One solution gaining attention for addressing these issues is "remote support" using AR technology. By introducing AR (augmented reality) remote support, experienced personnel located far away can assist on-site as if they were standing next to workers. This article explains the overview of AR remote support, its necessity in the construction industry, the benefits and specific use cases, and points to consider when implementing it. At the end of the article, we also introduce a related AR application: simple surveying using LRTK.

Table of Contents

• What is AR remote support?

• The necessity of AR remote support in the construction industry

• Benefits of AR remote support

• Technologies that support AR remote support

• Use cases of AR remote support on construction sites

• Points to consider when introducing AR remote support

• What is simple surveying with LRTK?

• FAQ

What is AR remote support?

AR remote support is a system that uses AR (augmented reality) technology to provide real-time assistance to on-site work from a remote location. A skilled technician in a distant location can share the on-site situation via camera-equipped smart glasses or head-mounted displays worn by on-site workers. The expert can overlay markers such as arrows or symbols on the shared video or display text messages. This allows on-site workers to receive visual instructions in real time, enabling remote specialists to provide precise support as if they were physically present.

With phone calls or standard video calls, instructions must be conveyed by voice or text, but AR remote support overlays digital information directly onto the video, dramatically improving the accuracy of communication. For example, the instruction "tighten the bolt to the left" can be shown with an arrow on the actual video in AR. Because instructions are conveyed intuitively without relying on deictic words, workers can understand at a glance what to do.

Typical devices for AR remote support include wearable smart glasses (AR glasses) and head-mounted displays that allow workers to keep both hands free while working, enabling safe remote assistance even during complex tasks. AR display using smartphones or tablets is also possible, but these require holding the device and are therefore unsuitable for tasks that need both hands. However, for minor tasks such as inspections or status reporting, smartphones or tablets may be used as substitutes.

The necessity of AR remote support in the construction industry

The construction industry faces serious issues such as an aging population of experienced technicians and labor shortages, making skill transfer to younger workers and rapid on-site problem solving challenging. Construction sites are geographically dispersed, so it is difficult for experienced personnel to rush to a site when trouble occurs, and travel time and costs have become a significant burden. In this situation, the utilization of remote support is expected.

In particular, AR-based remote support enables the real-time sharing of on-site conditions that could not be fully conveyed by traditional phone calls or emails, allowing for appropriate instructions. Experienced technicians can view on-site video from headquarters or other locations and give instructions, enabling speedy initial responses to problems. As a result, this leads to reduced downtime and prevention of quality defects, contributing to overall productivity improvements on site.

Furthermore, the COVID-19 pandemic brought travel restrictions and limitations on the number of people allowed on-site, which increased recognition of the importance of remote technologies in construction. The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism has provided guidelines for "remote attendance" to conduct on-site inspections remotely, promoting a new style of site management using digital technologies.

AR remote support can be seen as an evolution of this remote attendance. Rather than just showing the site via video call, AR's unique method of "placing" information on-site makes it possible to provide reliable communication and instructions from a distance.

Benefits of AR remote support

Introducing AR remote support brings various benefits to construction sites. The main benefits are listed below.

• Improved work efficiency: Because instructions can be given while viewing video from a remote location, the need to repeatedly confirm by phone or send photos by email is reduced, speeding up work. Complex procedures can receive real-time guidance, achieving an effect similar to having both experienced and novice workers at the same site.

• Standardization of work quality: Experienced supervisors can check and instruct on work quality in real time, reducing variability in finish across sites and ensuring a consistent level of quality. Even novice staff can work under remote instructions, making it easier to maintain a consistent level of quality regardless of who is responsible.

• Efficient talent development: Remote support also functions as on-the-job training (OJT) for younger workers. When experienced staff teach on-site problem-solving in real time, younger workers can acquire skills through practical experience. The know-how accumulated in this way can be digitally recorded and later used as educational content.

• Cost reduction and work-style reform: Remote support reduces the frequency of business trips and long-distance travel, lowering costs such as travel and accommodation. At the same time, reduced travel time contributes to work-style reform. If experts can provide support from the office or home, it can reduce the burden of long commutes and improve work–life balance.

• Improved responsiveness and safety: Remote, immediate countermeasures can be taken in emergencies, helping to prevent escalation of problems. Since it is not necessary to send people to dangerous sites each time, it also contributes to safety. For example, in high-altitude work or disaster sites, only the minimum number of personnel need to enter the site while others support remotely, distributing risk.

In this way, AR remote support is a powerful tool that simultaneously achieves productivity, quality, and safety improvements while reducing costs. It brings innovation to the site and supports the future of construction by making effective use of limited human resources.

Technologies that support AR remote support

Behind AR remote support are several important technical elements. First and foremost are AR-compatible devices and software. On the worker side, as mentioned earlier, wearable smart glasses and headset-type devices are used. These devices are equipped with cameras and sensors that allow video sharing, position acquisition, and gesture operation. On the expert side, dedicated software (applications) runs on PCs or tablets to receive and display video, write markers, and issue instructions.

Next, network communication is crucial. The communication connecting the site and remote locations requires a high-speed and stable internet connection. Especially when exchanging high-resolution video and audio in real time, it is necessary to prepare a robust communication environment such as Wi-Fi or LTE/5G. In construction sites where radio waves are hard to reach, such as mountainous areas or underground, consider installing relay devices or using dedicated lines. If communication latency is high, instruction lag will occur, so it is important to design a network that enables as low latency as possible.

Furthermore, cloud technology and data-sharing platforms also underpin AR remote support. By storing video data and support history in the cloud for later reference by stakeholders, know-how sharing and analysis become possible. A system that allows real-time reference and sharing of on-site drawings and manuals is also useful. If AR display can overlay related documents or 3D models on the site video, it can help close the information gap between the site and the office.

Finally, on the hardware side, battery life and environmental resilience are important points. Since work at construction sites continues all day, the battery life of smart glasses and communication devices must be sufficient. Robustness to operate under harsh conditions such as dust, rain, wind, and high humidity is also necessary. Industrial-grade AR devices with dustproof/waterproof design and shock resistance are available to ensure reliable use on site.

Use cases of AR remote support on construction sites

Here are some examples of how AR remote support is actually used on construction sites.

Case 1: Streamlining inspections with remote attendance A major construction company and an IT firm conducted a trial combining AR glasses and web conferencing tools for remote attendance (remote implementation of on-site presence and inspections). Traditionally, personnel had to visit the site for confirmation or inspection during construction, but in this trial, inspection staff at a remote location could confirm the situation in real time using video from AR glasses worn by on-site workers. The remote attendance method proposed by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism defines remote "stage confirmation" and "attendance" using footage taken with wearable cameras, etc. However, ordinary video calls posed challenges such as "video clarity" and "difficulty of verbal explanation." In this remote attendance experiment using AR glasses, high-resolution first-person video from on-site workers was shared and remote personnel could mark up the video to give instructions. As a result, it was confirmed that inspections could be carried out more smoothly and accurately than before, achieving both reduced travel time and improved quality.

Case 2: Remote response to heavy equipment failure When large machinery breaks down at a civil engineering site and manufacturer technicians cannot immediately get there, AR remote support proves effective. An on-site person points a smartphone camera at the malfunctioning area, and that video is shared with experienced technicians at the manufacturer's headquarters. The expert views the footage and instructs the on-site person through necessary checkpoints, displaying markers on the screen to indicate part locations or how to apply tools. The on-site person follows the instructions to perform temporary repairs, quickly restoring the machinery to operation. This case shows that remote support from experts can shorten machine downtime.

Case 3: Remote guidance for young technicians On one construction site, when a new worker operated a boom lift for the first time, a veteran instructor provided safe training via AR remote support without being on site. The novice wore a head-mounted camera and proceeded through the operation steps, while an instructor in a remote office checked the footage. The instructor gave voice advice as needed and highlighted the next lever to touch on the control panel, providing visual instructions at the right timing. The novice worker was able to proceed with confidence as if being taught alongside the instructor and achieved skill acquisition without major mistakes. AR remote support is thus also used effectively in training scenarios.

Points to consider when introducing AR remote support

AR remote support is convenient, but there are points to be aware of to ensure smooth introduction and adoption.

• Gradual training and acclimatization: When introducing the technology, provide device usage training and trial periods for site staff and experts. Ensure sufficient training time for veteran technicians who are not familiar with IT, and have them gradually get accustomed to the system in real on-site situations. A phased approach—first trying on limited projects to build success stories before company-wide rollout—is effective.

• Security measures: When sharing site video and audio outside the company, be mindful of the risk of information leaks. Choose communication systems with strong encryption and reliability, and implement strict access control and log management. Also address device loss/theft prevention and protection against unauthorized access.

• Network environment preparation: To maximize the effect of remote support, a high-speed and stable communication infrastructure is a prerequisite. Since some sites may have weak network environments, consider portable Wi-Fi, dedicated site lines, or 5G services as needed. Poor communication quality causes video delays or interruptions and can undermine the support effect.

• Selecting devices suitable for the site: There are various AR glasses with different characteristics such as weight, battery life, comfort, and field of view. Consider durability, dustproof/waterproof performance, and choose devices suitable for your use cases. It is recommended to demo actual devices before making procurement decisions.

Taking these points into account and preparing systematically will allow smooth operation start-up of AR remote support. After introduction, conduct regular follow-ups and refresher training, and continuously improve the system by incorporating feedback from the field.

What is simple surveying with LRTK?

AR technology is not limited to remote support. Surveying is another important construction process, but many sites may lack specialist survey technicians. This is where simple surveying with LRTK plays a role.

LRTK is an all-in-one surveying system that combines a high-precision GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System) receiver, a smartphone app, and cloud services. Traditionally, specialized equipment and methods handled by certified surveyors were required, but with LRTK, even non-specialists can perform positioning measurements with centimeter-level accuracy (half-inch accuracy). Measured points and data can be displayed on a smartphone via AR, allowing, for example, intuitive on-site visualization of boundary lines or design points on plans.

For example, when approaching a pre-set survey point using LRTK, a marker appears on the smartphone’s AR display saying "This is the designated point." The worker can then place a marker or take measurements following that guidance, completing accurate staking out and as-built surveys. Because surveying tasks can be completed quickly on-site without waiting for specialists, this leads to shorter schedules and reduced labor costs. By leveraging LRTK, surveying tasks that once relied on experience and intuition can be performed easily by anyone.

Like remote support, AR plus digital technologies are bringing new efficiencies to surveying. Simple surveying with LRTK is a groundbreaking solution that allows site staff to perform necessary surveys without the presence of experienced surveyors. Combined with AR remote support, it can further advance the DX (digital transformation) of construction sites.

FAQ

Q: How is AR remote support different from a regular video call? A: Video calls share video and audio, but AR remote support adds the ability to display instructions and information directly on the screen. For example, with a regular video call you must verbally say "tighten the valve at the upper right," whereas AR remote support can overlay an arrow on the video to indicate which valve. This visual aid enables accurate and easy-to-understand instructions from a distance.

Q: In what construction scenes is AR remote support useful? A: It is useful in a wide range of situations, such as remote advice during equipment failures, quality checks and inspection attendance, and remote training for workers unfamiliar with procedures. It is also effective for damage assessment during disasters and supporting construction on remote islands or in mountainous areas where specialists cannot always be onsite—essentially in any situation where "having an experienced person nearby" would otherwise be necessary.

Q: What equipment and environment are needed to introduce AR remote support? A: Basically, AR devices used on-site (such as smart glasses or helmet cameras), PCs or tablets for viewing video on the remote side, and a network environment to connect them are required. Software includes dedicated apps or platforms that enable real-time video sharing and drawing. If the site relies on mobile networks only, evaluate radio conditions and consider preparing portable Wi-Fi or relays as needed.

Q: Is remote support possible without dedicated AR glasses? A: Smartphones can be used as substitutes. In practice, simple AR support where remote personnel draw on tablet or smartphone video is sometimes used. However, smartphones occupy a worker’s hand, so for full-scale operation it is preferable to introduce hands-free AR glasses or wearable cameras. Choose the appropriate device according to the nature of the work.

Q: Will the benefits justify the introduction costs? A: The improvements in efficiency and quality from AR remote support can justify the costs. Initial investment is required for device procurement and system setup, but returns such as substantial reductions in travel costs and time and more effective use of experienced personnel are expected. There may also be national or local government subsidies for DX promotion that can be used to reduce the burden. Above all, the value of improving site safety and productivity often exceeds numerical cost considerations.