Using virtual reality to facilitate communication in the AEC domain: a systematic review

• Published in: Construction innovation Vol. 20; no. 3; pp. 509 - 542
• Main Authors: Wen, Jing, Gheisari, Masoud
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London Emerald Publishing Limited 29-06-2020; Emerald Group Publishing Limited
• Subjects: Architecture; Avatars; Communication channels; Construction accidents & safety; Construction industry; Design; Designers; Digitization; Domains; Education; Engineering firms; Facilities management; Horizontal integration; Industry 4.0; Inspection; Interpersonal communication; Product development; Safety management; Skills; Virtual reality; Visual observation; Voice communication; United States > US; Engineering; Construction; Architecture; Virtual reality; Industry 4.0; VR; Communication; AEC
• ISSN: 1471-4175; 1477-0857
• DOI: 10.1108/CI-11-2019-0122

Purpose
The architecture, engineering and construction (AEC) industry exists in a dynamic environment and requires several stakeholders to communicate regularly. However, evidence indicates current communication practices fail to meet the requirements of increasingly complex projects. With the advent of Industry 4.0, a trend is noted to create a digital communication environment between stakeholders. Identified as a central technology in Industry 4.0, virtual reality (VR) has the potential to supplement current communication and facilitate the digitization of the AEC industry. This paper aims to explore how VR has been applied and future research directions for communication purpose.
Design/methodology/approach
This research follows a systematic literature assessment methodology to summarize the results of 41 research articles in the last 15 years and outlines the applications of VR in facilitating communication in the AEC domain.
Findings
Relevant VR applications are mainly found in building inspection, facility management, safety training, construction education and design and review. Communication tools and affordance are provided or built in several forms: text-based tools, voice chat tool, visual sharing affordance and avatars. Objective and subjective communication assessments are observed from those publications.
Originality/value
This review contributes to identifying the recent employment areas and future research directions of VR to facilitate communication in the AEC domain. The outcome can be a practical resource to guide both industry professionals and researchers to recognize the potentials of VR and will ultimately facilitate the creation of digital construction environments.