Mixed reality combines virtual and augmented reality by immersing users in digital content while still allowing them to see and interact with their physical surroundings. This allows interaction with both physical and digital objects simultaneously. All of these technologies, including augmented reality, mixed reality, and virtual reality, can benefit construction projects by helping teams understand current digital models and plans, ensuring accurate installation of materials, and resolving conflicts. Virtual reality specifically allows teams unable to visit sites to view 3D laser scans documenting existing conditions overlaid with models to better understand job site situations.

1. Mixed reality
Mixed reality (MR) then combines both virtual and augmented reality. Here you're wearing a
headset device again. In this case, however, you're being immersed in the digital content, still
aware of your physical surroundings so that you can interact with both physical and digital objects
at the same time. All those different technologies can be applied to communicate and collaborate
around the construction site.

2. Which of these technologies will have the biggest
impact on construction?
"All three will work really well in the construction industry. If you look at the job site
specifically, both augmented and mixed reality applications will be very beneficial to
construction projects. AR and MR can help project teams understand what the current
digital content is and use this information to ensure that they are accurately installing
things on the job site and also resolving any kind of conflict that arises.
Virtual reality is really beneficial for design and construction
teams that may not be able to visit a job site. If you look at virtual
reality, you can take a 3D laser scan to document “as-is”
conditions and bring this into the model. Virtual reality allows
you to go back into that digital content, where you can then see
actual job site conditions overlaid with the physical or digital
model. This helps you to understand what's happening for the
project teams on the job site. This way you have a
communication process for your team in place where those in the
office can talk back to those in the field."