6 Key Points to Avoid Failure When Implementing AR in Construction｜Challenges and Countermeasures Explained

Table of Contents

• Point 1: Consider AR implementation after clarifying on-site issues

• Point 2: Select a system suitable for the on-site environment

• Point 3: Pilot operation during implementation/construction before full deployment

• Point 4: Train workers and establish operational rules

• Point 5: Continuous system improvement and review of operational workflows

• Point 6: Accurately evaluate the balance between implementation costs and expected benefits

• Common factors for successful AR implementation

• Accurate positional recognition determines the success of AR implementation

While the adoption of AR in the construction industry is spreading, there are also companies and sites that fail in implementation. The causes of failure vary, but what they have in common is insufficient preparation before deployment and implementation approaches that do not take the characteristics of the site into account. AR is a powerful tool, but if used incorrectly it can actually complicate work or increase the burden on workers.

In this article, we explain six key points that companies and managers considering AR adoption at construction sites should pay attention to during implementation. By addressing these points, the implementation process is likely to proceed more smoothly and the chances of achieving the expected results will increase.

Point 1: Consider Introducing AR After Clarifying On-site Challenges

One of the most common failure patterns in AR implementation is introducing it simply because “AR technology is the latest” without sufficiently analyzing the on-site problems. AR is not a universal tool; it is merely a means to solve specific issues. If implemented while the problems are unclear, AR’s functions may not align with the site’s needs, and there is a high risk that the system will become unusable.

Before considering implementation, it is important to identify the specific problems occurring on site. For example, identify specific issues such as "it takes time to interpret drawings, causing construction delays," "there are many construction errors and rework occurs frequently," and "safety training for workers requires time and money, yet accidents do not decrease."

Once a problem has been identified, it is necessary to consider whether AR is effective in solving that problem. Not all problems will be resolved by implementing AR, and in some cases other methods may be more appropriate. Realistically setting expectations about "how much this AR implementation will improve the problem" is the first step toward successful implementation.

Point 2: Select a system appropriate for the on-site environment

A common pitfall many companies fall into when introducing AR is investing in high-performance, expensive systems. However, construction sites are diverse, and environmental conditions vary greatly—outdoor and indoor settings, high-temperature environments, dusty conditions, and so on. Even the latest high-performance systems cannot demonstrate their capabilities if they are not suited to the site environment.

When selecting a system, it is important to first grasp the site’s environmental conditions in detail. If the system will be used frequently outdoors, you should choose equipment that is resistant to the effects of sunlight, and in environments with a lot of dust, equipment with a high IP rating is necessary. Also, the convenience for workers differs between smartphone-based AR and specialized head-mounted displays.

Furthermore, it is important to verify whether the system being introduced can integrate with existing on-site management tools and systems. If AR implementation causes workflows to become fragmented, efficiency may actually decrease. The optimal AR solution should be chosen with consideration of the site's overall system architecture.

Point 3: Conduct a trial operation during implementation and construction before deployment

Before fully deploying an AR system, it is extremely important to conduct a pilot operation on a small-scale site or on a portion of the construction. In many failure cases, this testing phase was skipped, and problems only became apparent after full deployment.

Through pilot operations, the following information can be obtained. First, the extent to which the system functions in actual field conditions and the gap with expectations can be identified. Many issues that only become apparent in real operation—such as outdoor visibility, data accuracy, and ease of operation—will emerge. Next, it becomes clear how well workers can adapt to the system and how long training will be required.

Success cases from pilot operations become an important persuasive tool for convincing executives and frontline workers during subsequent full-scale implementation. If you have concrete results—"when we actually tried it, we achieved this much effect"—it will be easier to obtain approval for large-scale implementation investments.

Point 4: Worker Training and Establishment of Operational Rules

One major cause of failed AR implementations is insufficient training of workers. Even the latest AR technologies cannot realize their benefits if the people using them do not fully understand them. Additionally, when there is wide variation in workers’ AR proficiency, usage practices are not standardized and the effectiveness of the system can be impaired.

Before deployment, it is essential to provide a structured training program to all target workers. The training should cover not only the basic operation of the AR system but also background information such as why the system is being introduced and what benefits are expected. When workers understand the purpose of the introduction, their motivation to actively use the system increases.

At the same time, it is important to clearly establish operational rules for using AR. For example, by defining rules such as "in which situations should AR displays be checked" and "what procedures should be followed when multiple workers use it simultaneously," you can ensure operational efficiency and safety. Operational rules should be continuously improved through actual operations.

Point 5: Continuous system improvement and review of operational workflows

After the introduction of AR, the system is not operated in a finished state; problems become apparent through actual operation. If these issues are left unaddressed, the system's effectiveness will decline and workers may increasingly abandon the system. Even after deployment, it is essential to regularly check the system's operational status, identify areas that need improvement, and implement them.

As part of the improvement process, it is important to first collect feedback from workers and project managers on a monthly and quarterly basis. By systematically collecting comments such as "this system's features are difficult to use" and "the accuracy of this data is low," the priorities for improvement become clear.

Even after implementing improvements, it is necessary to monitor whether those improvements are actually effective and whether they are causing new problems. Improvements do not always produce the correct outcomes, and in some cases further readjustment may be required. Building this kind of continuous improvement culture within the organization is what leads to the long-term success of AR adoption.

Point 6: Accurately evaluate the balance between implementation costs and expected benefits

A common cause of AR implementation failures is that the implementation costs did not match the expected benefits. Implementing an AR system incurs many costs, such as software licenses, hardware purchases, installation and adjustment costs at construction sites, and worker training expenses. It is important to accurately calculate these costs and the expected benefits and to determine the return on investment.

The expected benefits may include the following items: reduction of rework due to improved construction quality, reduction of direct costs from shorter construction schedules, reduction of workers' compensation insurance premiums associated with fewer safety accidents, and improved worker productivity. By quantitatively predicting these effects and comparing them with the implementation costs, the validity of the investment can be assessed.

However, predicting the expected effects can be difficult. It is recommended to avoid overly optimistic forecasts and to consider multiple scenarios (conservative, moderate, optimistic). Also, by measuring the actual effects after implementation and analyzing deviations from the forecasts, the accuracy of future implementation decisions will improve.

Common Success Factors for AR Implementation

Looking at cases that fail, common factors for success become clear. These are: alignment between management and frontline staff in their understanding, ensuring a sufficient preparation period for implementation, and maintaining a sustained commitment to continuous improvement after implementation. These factors relate more to organizational and operational aspects than to technical ones.

AR is, after all, merely a means of improving business operations, and whether it succeeds depends largely on the implementing company's level of preparedness and operational capability. Recognizing this can be said to be the most important point for avoiding failure in AR implementation.

Accurate position recognition determines the success of AR deployment

To successfully deploy AR, we have outlined five key points so far, but a sixth element that is often overlooked is positioning accuracy. If the design drawings and information displayed in AR are offset from the actual on-site locations, their usefulness is greatly diminished. This is especially true at outdoor sites or in urban areas with tall surrounding buildings, where a smartphone's standard GPS often lacks sufficient accuracy, and this can sometimes cause implementation failures.

To address this issue, introducing an iPhone-mounted GNSS high-precision positioning device is effective. This device receives signals from multiple satellite systems simultaneously and can determine positions with high accuracy on the order of several centimeters (cm-level accuracy; half-inch accuracy), allowing AR-displayed information to be accurately overlaid on the site. At every stage of the six points mentioned above (on-site issue analysis, system selection, pilot operation, worker training, continuous improvement, and cost evaluation), having high-precision positioning enables a more practical implementation. In particular, accurate positional information is an indispensable element for achieving the primary objectives of the introduction, such as reducing design and construction errors and strengthening safety management.