Augmented Reality for Sub-Surface Data Visualisation

Augmented Reality (AR) is a technology that allows information stored digitally to be overlaid graphically on views of the real world. A vast amount of such information currently resides in office-based computer systems but is not readily accessible to engineers and managers in the field. These features could be major geological structures, gas or water pipe-work or zones of contaminated land. This ability to view underground features will revolutionise many elements of fieldwork for a wide range of industries involved with the natural and built environment.
The University of Nottingham’s Institute of Engineering Surveying and Space Geodesy (IESSG) and School of Chemical, Environment and Mining Engineering (SChEME) are jointly researching the development of an AR system, integrating the expertise of both groups. The system pulls together the latest GPS and VR technology, allowing the user to visualise data in real time, in the field and to an accuracy of a few centimetres. The project is funded through the Dti Forsight LINK scheme, and has 8 companies and organisations collaborating.