What is the main objective of the European ACCEPT project?
ACCEPT is currently an international project that is very much alive and in which we are constantly growing and innovating. Therefore, one of the objectives of the project is to share knowledge in all areas related to the construction industry and to gain knowledge as quickly as possible between all participants in order to shape the virtual process of what a construction project is.
This way, we can easily send messages and information regarding any construction process using smart glasses. In addition, the project also seeks to enhance the coordination of all workers involved in a construction project, which will improve the processes thanks to working in the cloud. Getting instant notifications, checking if something specific can be done correctly, reducing execution time, and using detailed information for each of the specific tasks on site are some of the objectives we believe we are going to achieve. All in all, to improve the construction processes on site. By doing so, construction site information can be accessed easily, quickly, and simply. The information transmitted through smart glasses can also be viewed on other devices such as tablets and even in virtual reality in the future.
Is this your company's first time working on a project with smart glasses applied to the construction industry?
It is the first time any company in the construction industry is working with them, which is why the expectations for this project are very ambitious.
What is the main complication of this project?
For me, it is about bringing together all the interests involved in a construction project. Software developers, architects, engineers, building regulations, data, statistics, etc. Bringing all this information together and being able to process it in a program that can structure it so it can be used by smart glasses is, without a doubt, the main difficulty and biggest challenge. For this reason, the ACCEPT project involves many different partners who are going to share theirs visions so that we can develop software that coveys all the information concisely. We are currently very happy with the work we have done and confident about the work in progress.
"We'll see if this new tool allows us to save time and achieve better energy efficiency in the construction process"
When do you think we will see the first results of this European project?
It really depends on the first prototypes we will be able to develop, and we have to discuss this, but by next year we will most likely be able to have the first feedback and prototypes on the work we are developing. That will be when we are able to see its first features, its strengths and weaknesses, as well as what changes we need to make and how it can be improved.
Will this project help to develop a more sustainable and efficient (or energy efficient) construction industry?
This is one of our goals. And that is what we are working on. To achieve this, we have partners who specialise in energy efficiency and energy costs in the construction industry. We'll see if this new tool allows us to save time and achieve better energy efficiency in the construction process.
Will on-site workers be able to work with smart glasses easily or will it be difficult?
I think workers will have to change some of their regular work and incorporate new technologies into their daily routine. But, equally, I think it will be very easy to use and will add great value to any project, as it will avoid any errors and make it quicker and simpler. This will go hand in hand with better preparation of all workers.
Will this be a revolution for the entire construction industry?
We hope so. This is the goal we'd like to achieve in three years' time, but for now, we have to work and understand the new construction processes, which can be a bit slow at first. There is more development in other areas like healthcare when it comes to the use of smart glasses. In the construction industry, we are just getting started, but we want to innovate, create knowledge and facilitate information among the professionals in this important part of the economy. We are convinced that knowledge is power and smart glasses will help to improve the construction industry worldwide.
