FRED is an Augmented Reality (AR) application for demonstrating a virtual object representing its physical world counterpart across multiple dimensions. The virtual object is a pump located in the Lochinvar 2 Pump Station operated by Hunter Water in NSW, Australia. FRED allows you to explore the functional multiplicity of the virtual model across multiple dimensions as they apply to the Integrated Digital Built Environment (IDBE). These AR user experiences are:
Third dimension (3D) – illustrating interactive walk around and fly around the virtual pump in both assembled and disassembled modes. Interactive cross-sectioning of the virtual pump, and tooltip querying of the pump’s parts
Fourth Dimension (4D) – this is the dimension of time and space. 4D is demonstrated through AR experience in three ways. Firstly, a time sequenced installation of the pump follows step by step instructions (with warnings) to interactively explain the process of install the pump on site in the actual Lochinvar 2 pump station. Secondly, the tracking of maintenance operations undertaken on the pump and hyperlinked extension to relevant documents. Thirdly, the pump is rendered in a translucent manner to show the movement of fluids through the pump to illustrate its operation.
Fifth Dimension (5D) – this is a cost dimension. A cost configurator shows the pump in two alternative configurations.
Digital Fabrication – this shows the pump parts printed on Hunter Water’s 3D printer. The purpose of this option is to illustrate the potential for new maintenance workflows with the advancement of BIM object libraries and digital fabrication.
NOTE: FRED is developed using the Apple’s ARKit and therefore will only support devices compatible with this platform. According to Apple, in order to use ARKit, iOS devices need to have an A9, A10 or A11 chip. The devices that use A9, A10 and A11 chips currently are:
iPhone 6s and 6s Plus
iPhone 7 and 7 Plus
iPhone SE
iPad Pro (9.7, 10.5 or 12.9) – both first-gen and 2nd-gen
iPad (2017)
iPhone 8 and 8 Plus
iPhone X
Summary of features:
3D – AR object visualisation of the asset (pump)
4D – time sequencing with knowledge mapping for installation, maintenance, and operational views of the asset
5D – cost configurator for capital and life cycle costing of the asset
FAB – digital fabrication of selected asset components (illustrated as a workflow)