Gain an Edge with AR in Civil Engineering! Strategies to Strengthen Competitiveness in the Construction Industry

Table of Contents

• Introduction

• The Role of AR Technology in the Civil Engineering and Construction Industry

• Efficiency Benefits of AR Adoption

• Quality Improvement Benefits of AR Adoption

• Examples of AR Use Cases

• Key Points to Strengthen Construction Competitiveness with AR Technology

• Promoting Simple Surveying with LRTK

• Conclusion

• FAQ

Introduction

In recent years, the construction and civil engineering industry has seen growing attention on the use of AR (Augmented Reality) technology. AR, which can overlay 3D design data and construction information onto live site images via smartphones or tablets, is expected to serve as a means to intuitively “visualize” site conditions that could not be fully conveyed by drawings or photos alone. In an industry facing many challenges—labor shortages, an aging skilled workforce and knowledge transfer issues, rework due to construction mistakes—introducing AR is considered to offer significant benefits both in terms of improving operational efficiency and stabilizing construction quality.

To gain an advantage over competitors in the fiercely competitive construction industry, it is important to actively adopt new digital technologies in addition to traditional methods. This article explains the efficiency and quality improvements achievable through AR use on civil engineering sites, introduces concrete use cases, and explores points to enhance your company’s competitiveness. Let’s look together at how AR technology can transform construction sites when used as a cutting-edge tool.

The Role of AR Technology in the Civil Engineering and Construction Industry

First, AR is a technology that overlays digital information onto real-world scenes. When AR is used on civil engineering and construction sites, workers can simultaneously view the real scene and digital design models or construction data. For example, when looking at a site through a tablet camera, a full-scale model of the planned structure can be displayed in place. This enables stakeholders to intuitively share the finished image and immediately grasp any discrepancies between current construction status and drawings.

The main roles AR brings to the civil engineering and construction industry can be summarized as follows:

• Visualization of site information: Progress and as-built conditions during construction can be visualized on site, allowing immediate detection of deviations or issues relative to the plan. Decisions can be made based on data rather than relying on a manager’s “intuition and experience.”

• Smoother communication: When owners, site supervisors, and workers view the same AR imagery, discrepancies in understanding are reduced and communication becomes smoother. Contents that are hard to convey with drawings alone become obvious with AR.

• Faster decision-making: Intuitive information provided by AR makes it easier to revise construction plans or issue additional instructions on the spot. Quick decisions can be made without waiting for reports from the site to the office, contributing to shorter schedules.

• Skill transfer and training: By displaying work procedures and cautions through AR glasses or similar devices, veteran know-how can be passed to inexperienced workers in real time. This helps streamline new employee training and promotes skill transfer.

In this way, AR fills information gaps that occur on site and is an important tool to digitally support construction management, which has tended to rely on experience. Now, let’s look at the concrete effects that can be achieved when AR is actually introduced, from the perspectives of efficiency and quality improvement.

Efficiency Benefits of AR Adoption

The expected efficiency benefits when AR technology is introduced to sites include the following:

• Improved progress management: By overlaying the completed model and schedule data on a tablet while standing on site, current progress can be intuitively understood. Differences from the plan are visible at a glance, enabling immediate schedule review or personnel reassignment as needed. This real-time progress “visualization” can lead to shorter schedules and waste reduction.

• Reduction of surveying and measurement work: Surveying and as-built management that previously required total stations or multiple personnel can be performed as simple surveying with a single smartphone using AR-compatible mobile apps. For example, measuring embankment volume or staking out positions with AR measurement on the spot eliminates the need for pre-established benchmarks and post-processing. Daily surveying time can be drastically reduced, enabling rapid onsite measurement even with a small crew.

• Time savings through remote communication: AR makes remote support easy, where experienced technicians can give instructions and support remotely by sharing live site images from cameras or smartphones worn by workers. Experts can provide real-time advice without traveling to the site, reducing travel time and accelerating accurate decision-making.

• Improved setup through visualized workflows: If the next work steps and expected finished views are displayed on AR, all workers share a common image and can proceed with well-coordinated preparations. Setup mistakes and communication omissions decrease, improving the overall team’s work efficiency.

Thus, AR adoption helps remove waste from various on-site processes and maintain high productivity with limited personnel. Especially for less experienced staff, AR guidance makes it easier to grasp key points, leading not only to labor savings but also to more efficient personnel development.

Quality Improvement Benefits of AR Adoption

Next, let’s look at the quality improvement benefits expected from AR usage:

• Early detection of construction errors and reduced rework: By overlaying design data on the actual construction in real time, even small mismatches or errors can be discovered on site. For example, confirming pipe positions against drawings in AR during piping work allows rectification of defects that would later be hidden after completion. This reduces rework and material waste and prevents quality defects.

• Improved construction accuracy: Displaying dimensional information from drawings as full-scale AR models on site enables accurate construction without relying on craftsmen’s intuition. AR can guide foundation positioning and finish height confirmation, allowing high-precision work even in the absence of skilled personnel. As a result, variability in as-built conditions is reduced and overall finish quality is improved.

• Thorough quality control through information sharing: When owners and site supervisors share current and finished images via AR, misunderstandings such as “I said this / you didn’t say that” and gaps in recognition can be prevented. Everyone can review and instruct while looking at the same expected finished view, which is effective in thoroughly communicating design intent and preventing missed design changes. Improved communication quality directly contributes to stable construction quality.

• Enhanced safety and risk reduction: AR contributes not only to construction quality but also to improved safety management. Highlighting hazardous areas in AR or running AR simulations of construction procedures can reduce near-miss incidents (incidents that nearly caused an accident). In safety training, AR can provide virtual experiences of work at height to strengthen hazard prediction drills. Thorough safety measures ultimately prevent accidents and problems, increasing overall project quality assurance (project success rate).

AR adoption thus increases the certainty and reproducibility of construction processes and prevents outcomes such as “the finished product differs from the drawings” or “rework occurred due to communication errors.” Because quality defects can be prevented or corrected early, AR contributes to higher customer satisfaction and improved corporate reliability.

Examples of AR Use Cases

Next, we introduce several concrete cases where AR technology is being used to improve operations. Various initiatives have already begun, mainly among large companies, and AR adoption on sites is steadily expanding.

• Sharing expert skills on site via remote support: A major electronics manufacturer provides a remote support system that shares real-time footage from site workers and allows remote experts to give instructions on AR. Experts can advise with voice and graphical annotations on footage from cameras or smartphones worn by field workers, enabling accurate support without physically visiting the site. This initiative reduces travel costs and helps prevent quality variation across multiple sites.

• Supporting heavy equipment operation with AR: A leading domestic construction equipment manufacturer developed a system that introduces AR displays in operator cabins to assist operators. Camera footage mounted on the vehicle overlays target excavation lines from design drawings and current bucket-tip position information, allowing operators to intuitively confirm whether excavation or embankment is proceeding according to design while operating. As a result, even less experienced operators can perform earthworks accurately without relying on intuition, reducing waste and stabilizing quality. AR display of machine position and attitude also streamlines confirmation of multiple machines’ placements and traffic flow management on large sites.

• On-site surveying and as-built inspection using smartphones: A major construction company developed an in-house app that enables anyone to perform civil surveying easily using AR functions on smartphones and tablets. It features automatic measurement of embankment or excavation volumes and ground heights by simply pointing the device and specifying the measurement range on site, tasks that previously required manual work by specialists. No prior benchmark setup is needed and measurement results can be checked immediately on site, dramatically shortening daily surveying and as-built management time. Sites that introduced this AR surveying app reported a major reduction in surveying workload, allowing construction managers to allocate resources to other important tasks (cases of over 90% reduction in work time compared to conventional methods have been reported).

• Quality checks during construction and streamlined record-keeping: Another major general contractor has implemented an AR construction management system that overlays BIM data (3D building models) from the design phase onto live site footage. When a tablet is held up, the BIM model appears over the building frame or piping under construction, enabling on-the-spot verification of progress and pipe placement. Because even areas that will be hidden before finishing can be checked against drawings in real time, early detection and correction of construction defects is possible. This system allows site supervisors to conduct high-accuracy inspections in a short time, reducing rework while improving inspection efficiency. Inspection results can be recorded digitally, reducing the effort required for report preparation and improving record accuracy.

• AR for exterior tile inspections: A major residential construction company developed a system using AR for percussion testing of exterior wall tiles (checking whether tiles are detached or floating). Workers wearing head-mounted AR devices strike the exterior wall with a hammer while marking and recording the results directly in AR space. Digitizing a task that previously relied on audible detection and handwritten notes on paper drawings has greatly reduced inspection-recording effort. Photos of inspected locations are automatically taken and linked, making it easy to review and share results later. Introducing this AR system reduced total exterior wall inspection time by about 30% and improved inspection accuracy by preventing recording errors.

Beyond these cases, AR use is expanding across various civil engineering and construction sites. For example, AR can display the positions of underground buried pipes during excavation to prevent accidental damage, compare design finish shapes with current conditions in slope works, or project planned road alignments on site to check as-built conformity. There are also cases where full-scale models of the finished image are projected on site for explanations to nearby residents or owners, and interest is growing in AR’s value as a tool for consensus building and sales.

Key Points to Strengthen Construction Competitiveness with AR Technology

Based on the efficiency and quality improvements described above, let’s organize the points by which AR technology adoption can strengthen a company’s competitiveness.

• Cost competitiveness through productivity gains: By reducing waste and increasing productivity with AR, shorter schedules and cost reductions are possible even with fewer personnel. As a result, improved schedule management and cost reduction can allow you to win contracts under more advantageous conditions than competitors. The ability to deliver high-quality work efficiently is itself a major competitive advantage.

• Improved reliability through quality assurance: Reducing construction errors and stabilizing quality with AR leads to fewer claims and higher customer satisfaction. Sustained high-quality construction increases trust from owners and users, earning the reputation of a company “you can safely entrust.” This directly boosts brand power and repeat contracts.

• Differentiation by using advanced technologies: The very act of proactively adopting cutting-edge technologies like AR is a point of differentiation from competitors. For example, presenting completed images created with AR in bids or proposals can be persuasive to clients, and the impression of “a company that always adopts new technologies” can be advantageous in recruitment as well. Being a step ahead in technological advancement within the industry is a significant strength.

• Alignment with DX promotion: Initiatives to promote DX (digital transformation) in construction, such as *i-Construction* advocated by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, are expected to accelerate further. AR adoption aligns with this industry-wide trend, and public projects increasingly evaluate ICT utilization as a criterion. Responding early to DX enables smoother compliance with new standards and requirements, potentially giving an advantage in competitive bidding.

• Measures against labor shortages and skill transfer: AR makes veteran skills and knowledge visible and shareable, helping young and new workers become productive quickly. Being able to operate sites with fewer people and rapidly make new personnel effective enhances organizational competitiveness in the long term. Companies that adopt the latest technologies also appear more attractive to younger generations, aiding in talent acquisition.

• Safe and resilient business continuity: Strengthening safety management with AR to reduce accident risks helps prevent major incidents that could halt site operations. Safety reliability is the foundation of sustained business operations, and a company that can consistently execute projects safely will be highly regarded. High standards of safety management are part of competitiveness.

As described above, AR adoption can improve productivity, quality, technical capability, human resources, and safety in a balanced way, and these combined improvements become the key to strengthening corporate competitiveness. Especially for small and medium-sized construction firms, AR can often be started without major investment (even with a single smartphone), making it a chance to elevate your company to the next level.

Promoting Simple Surveying with LRTK

As we have seen, AR technology greatly contributes to on-site efficiency and quality improvement. However, when actually attempting to use AR on site, concerns such as “how do we align 3D models with real-world positions?” or “aren’t dedicated expensive devices required?” may arise. The solution attracting attention is our company’s offering, LRTK.

LRTK is a cloud service that enables anyone to easily perform AR surveying and overlay design models using a compact high-precision GNSS antenna attached to a smartphone or tablet and a dedicated app. Conventional AR utilization required placing markers for each site or initial calibration work to align drawings with the site. With LRTK, RTK-GNSS positioning using satellites constantly provides device positions with centimeter-level accuracy (half-inch accuracy), eliminating complicated alignment tasks. For example, if design drawings or BIM/CIM models are uploaded to the cloud in advance, simply pointing a smartphone at the site will display those models in AR at full scale and with accurate coordinates. The ease of performing simple surveying and AR-based design verification with a single smartphone—without special surveying skills—has been well received by field users.

LRTK is already being used at many civil engineering and construction sites, earning high praise such as “surveying and as-built confirmation times were dramatically shortened” and “data sharing between site and office became smooth.” It is a state-of-the-art AR-compatible positioning tool that complies with the i-Construction (construction DX) promoted by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, and it will be a reliable ally for achieving accurate and efficient construction management even with small crews. If you are interested in simple AR surveying or digitalizing construction management, please take a look at LRTK’s detailed information and consider introducing a new “visualization” experience to your sites.

Conclusion

Introducing AR technology accelerates DX (digital transformation) on construction sites and innovates tasks that have traditionally relied on manpower and experience. By fusing real site views and design information in real time, AR enables efficient progress management and high-quality construction with fewer mistakes. As introduced, concrete effects have already been reported in many sites, such as remote support, heavy equipment operation support, and labor-saving surveying and inspections.

Of course, mastering new technologies requires preparation and data organization, but recent AR solutions combining smartphones, tablets, and cloud services make getting started much easier, lowering the entry barrier. Incorporating AR into your sites has considerable potential to alleviate labor shortages, dramatically improve work efficiency, and ensure construction quality.

Begin by considering, based on the effects and cases in this article, which of your company’s challenges could be solved with AR. Even starting from small initiatives, adopting AR can raise the level of on-site productivity and quality control, and ultimately serve as a trigger to strengthen your competitiveness.

Finally, we introduced our tool LRTK as a concrete example of leveraging AR on site; with the right solution, you can maximize the efficiency and quality benefits. Embrace new technologies to bring innovation to construction sites and aim to get ahead of competitors by applying AR in civil engineering.

FAQ

Q: What devices and preparations are needed to use AR on construction sites? A: Basically, you can start with a single mobile device such as a smartphone or tablet that supports AR display. Prepare construction drawings and 3D models on a dedicated AR app or cloud service and load them on site so anyone can easily perform AR-based site checks. If you need higher accuracy, attach a high-precision GPS receiver to a tablet or use AR glasses (smart glasses) to make alignment smoother, but you can begin by testing with commercially available devices.

Q: Does AR adoption cost a lot? Is the cost-effectiveness worth it? A: Implementation costs vary case by case, but recently it has become possible to start at relatively low cost by using smartphone apps and cloud-based services. Even when acquiring a full set of dedicated equipment, the hurdle is lower than traditional large surveying instruments or advanced VR systems. More importantly, many reports show effects such as “surveying and inspection times were halved” and “rework decreased, shortening the schedule,” so cost benefits from labor savings and reduced errors are substantial. AR is effective even on small sites, so overall cost-effectiveness can be expected.

Q: Does AR help improve site safety? A: Yes, AR is an effective tool for safety management. For example, AR can visually highlight hazardous or restricted areas to warn workers, or supplement blind spots of heavy equipment to help prevent accidents. Guiding work procedures with AR can also reduce human error and mistakes caused by assumptions. In safety training, AR simulations enable virtual experience of work at height, allowing more practical hazard prediction drills. Thus, AR adoption contributes not only to efficiency and quality but also to improved safety.

Q: What is the difference between VR (virtual reality) and AR, and which is better for construction? A: VR immerses users in a computer-generated virtual space via headsets, separating them from reality. AR, on the other hand, overlays digital information onto real scenes so you can view real conditions and digital data simultaneously. For construction tasks that require on-site verification and work, AR is often more suitable because it links directly to the real world. VR is primarily used for experiencing completed designs or pre-simulating construction procedures, but when it comes to supporting on-site work, AR plays the leading role.