Augmented Reality for Roof Tiling
New house building is facing a huge skills shortage, with the sector currently unable to meet customer and Government demand for 300,000 new houses year on year. It is important for the supply chain and SMEs to work with their clients in order to meet these targets, with offsite manufacture seen as a way to increase productivity and improve standards of health, safety and quality assurance.
AIMCH project partner Forster Group is a small medium enterprise (SME) and Scotland’s largest integrated roofing and solar company, covering one in five new homes in Scotland. Recognised for its innovative approach and commitment to excellence, Forster works extensively with industry and government bodies to raise standards and drive change. At Forster, innovation sits at the heart of a strategic approach to sustainable, long-term growth and the search for solutions to industry challenges, including quality, productivity and an integrated low carbon energy future.
summary
The AIMCH project presented the opportunity for Forster Group to partner with the Manufacturing Technology Centre (MTC). This independent research and technology organisation develops and proves innovative manufacturing processes and technologies in an agile, low risk environment, in partnership with industry, academia and other institutions.
In 2019 Forster Group and MTC started developing an advanced roof tiling solution to address some of the challenges facing housebuilders. The potential benefits of a successful project included significantly reduced site installation times leading to increased productivity, as well as a range of health and safety benefits.
Successful trials have been performed at MTC’s workshop and on Forster’s live construction sites in Scotland. These trials are still ongoing as the solution is further developed. The next stage includes productivity studies to validate the expected benefits.
Augmented Reality JOURNEY
Forster’s vision combined with the experience and technical ability of MTC resulted in an opportunity to explore innovative solutions by using emerging augmented reality (AR) technologies to streamline the transfer of data between head office and site-based operatives.
The development of a proof of concept solution began by understanding the “traditional” methods of construction and the key constraints and challenges encountered by roofing operatives. This was achieved through a series of workshops between MTC and Forster Group, which helped identify the key benefits and risks of using AR outdoors while working at height.
Further research and development was then performed with the aim of identifying the ideal hardware and software to host the AR application, and to design the best solution which ensured the key risks had been mitigated.
The outcomes are promising, and the Forster’s team are now seeking ways to industrialise the AR PoC and use the technology to complement their advanced roof tiling system.
Principal Outcomes
Forster Group and MTC delivered the following principal advanced roof tiling outcomes:
- 1
- The project performed a feasibility study and the evaluation and test of AR and MR devices to identify those that meet the required Health and Safety criteria for use at height and in an outdoors environment.
- 2
-
Design of an AR solution to deliver 3D information to workers to facilitate the installation of roof tiles and associated components onsite. Also used in training and information transfer between head office and site based operatives.
- 3
- Development of a Proof of Concept demonstrating the usage of Handheld AR technologies to support the roofing process.
- 4
- Deep technical understanding of the capabilities and limitations of handheld and head mounted display AR technology, and how state-of-the-art devices can support and expand the initial PoC for roof tiling.
Conclusion
Forster Roofing’s new AR solution for roofing has both significant benefits productivity and quality. This project has shown that it is clearly feasible from a technical and practical standpoint.
The outcomes of the project could allow similar SME contractors within the construction industry to see the benefits of this technology. Forster Roofing’s new advanced roof tiling solution proves that it will be possible for workers to have a complete solution to assist the roof measurement, configuration and roof tiling process making use of AR technology that is easy to use and fits in their pocket.
The next stage for Forster is to take this proof of concept and develop a full AR solution prototype.
