London-based construction technology startup XYZ Reality and UCL are working together on a new project to look at how augmented reality (AR) can help with UK hospital construction.
The project will explore how advanced AR technology can be used to ensure complex hospital building projects are completed on time and budget, particularly focusing on projects with complex MEP (mechanical, electrical and plumbing) services.
The grant for this project has been awarded by UKRI through an Innovate UK Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP).
Dr Grant Mills, UCL Faculty of the Built Environment Lead for Health and Associate Professor, said: “Hospitals are complex construction environments because of the sheer range of mechanical, electrical and plumbing (MEP) services involved. This often leads to clashes and errors in the build phase, and the need for expensive and time-consuming re-work.”
XYZ Reality has come up with a new advanced AR system that could prove instrumental in reducing costly delays in hospital projects.
Its technology uniquely enables users to view hyperscale models on-site, in real-time and to millimetre accuracy. The solution has particular benefits for projects with complex MEP services, such as hospitals or data centres.
The project is being delivered as a knowledge transfer partnership (KTP) with UCL’s Bartlett School of Sustainable Construction and Centre for Advanced Spatial Analysis (CASA).
XYZ Reality’s founder and CEO David Mitchell said: “We’re thrilled to have been selected for the KTP grant and equally delighted at the prospect of partnering with UCL on this project. I’m passionate about supporting the NHS, and this research will enable us to fully understand the benefits our technology can offer these specific projects, and help those constructing UK hospitals to build it right, first time.”
