Reality Capture on the Construction Jobsite

 
July 5, 2023 construction progress screenshot from OpenAI of the LCC Health Professions Building comparing a photo capture with the corresponding view of the BIM model in Navisworks.

The pace at which innovative technologies are transforming the AEC industry continues to accelerate. I have seen many advancements throughout the course of my career, and several of these have become second nature to how I do my work. The latest high-tech widget I am benefiting from is a 360-degree reality capture tool developed by a company called OpenSpace AI.
 
OpenSpace AI’s Capture tool works by mapping construction jobsite photos to BIM models automatically. The closest analogue I can think of is Google’s Streetview. Like Streetview, operators use 360-degree digital cameras (mounted on top of their hardhats) and simply walk around the project under construction. The technology relies on computer vision to automatically align the images into a single integrated scene, recognize and label key features, and map them to floor plans, for a rich, visual understanding of the captured environment. The result is a comprehensive, time-stamped digital record of the construction site. The app generates a capture coverage “heatmap” to show the path taken and the areas previously documented, helping to plan the next capture path.
 
These digital models can be beneficial as they enable project teams to have a comprehensive understanding of the site, aid in planning and design processes, support clash detection, improve communication among stakeholders, and facilitate progress tracking and documentation.

 

Rendering of the future Lane Community College Health Professions Building

Fortis Construction is using OpenSpace to document as-built conditions throughout the construction of the Lane Community College Health Professions Building, a project designed by a team led by Robertson/Sherwood/Architects with Mahlum Architects. I am serving as principal-in-charge for the $32.8 million project, which will provide new teaching spaces for the college’s Medical Assistant, Dental Hygiene & Dental Assistant, and Emergency Medical Services programs. The new building will open its doors in May of 2024.

What access to OpenSpace means for me is that I can stay on top of the building’s progress from anywhere by virtually touring the worksite as if I were physically present. Next to being there in person, the OpenSpace technology is my method of choice for checking a project’s progress, or for defining or solving problems. No matter how many static photographs are available, it is inevitable the one photo you really need will not be among them. OpenSpace largely eliminates that problem, especially if the most recent capture depicts current imagery. At a time when accountability is paramount, OpenSpace provides a superior solution for thorough documentation of construction progress.
 
A key benefit OpenSpace provides is the ability for multiple members of the project team to see the same things at once, while simultaneously comparing them to the BIM model or 2-D plans, sections, or elevations. The software also includes tools that enable anyone to create field notes or flag issues from anywhere, pinning these notes to the floor plan or syncing the imagery with a construction management software platform, such as Procore and its RFI tool. In turn, the app can automatically email RFI notifications to appropriate team members so that responses can be as timely as possible.
 
OpenSpace Track is another function that uses computer vision and machine-learning to recognize, track, and quantify the work in place. I haven’t yet seen this function in use, but OpenSpace claims it makes it easy to compare work completed against a construction schedule with live status dashboards, details views, and the ability to export data to analytics tools. For general contractors, this can help reduce delays and increase productivity.

 

OpenSpace AI’s Vision Engine has potential applications beyond construction projects. Its ability to automatically align images and map them to plans makes it a powerful tool for any industry that requires visual understanding of an environment. For example, it could be used in manufacturing, logistics, or even in the film industry to help with set design and construction.
 
There are alternatives to OpenSpace. Competing platforms include HoloBuilder, Matterport, and StructionSite. I am not familiar with these competing products, so I cannot comment on their features, ease of use, or how truly similar they are to OpenSpace, but a quick glance at their respective websites suggest they are.
 
No, OpenSpace is not sponsoring this blog post. Honestly, I have simply been impressed with the technology, hence my enthusiasm. The bottom line is that a tool as powerful as OpenSpace AI’s Capture helps teams manage construction projects more efficiently, with less risk and greater accuracy. Its ability to provide a complete, as-built record of a building from the time the first shovel of dirt is turned to project handover and operation is a game changer.