ICEreality VR is Here! By: Adam Simmons

If each of us were to take a quick look at where our time is spent each day, I’m sure many of us would identify multiple technologies such as our phones, computers, TVs etc… Each of these of technologies has, in some way, enhanced our lives, becoming embedded into our daily actions. Whether it’s our personal or professional lives, we embrace these amazing technologies because they improve our ability to execute and experience on a new level. For example, how would many of us stay connected with family and friends if it weren’t for Facebook?

In a similar vein, I’m excited to share with you that DIRTT has launched a virtual reality (VR) app that turns the design phase of a construction project into a portable and multi-user experience. Leveraging the virtual reality capabilities of Apple’s iOS11, and the real-time interactive ICE^® software platform developed at DIRTT, the ICEreality^™ app changes how regular people experience and understand design and construction. The app supports real-time design changes with updated visuals, data and pricing. The best part? No VR headsets are required!

ICEreality^™ is built on DIRTT’s ICE^® software, a BIM tool that captures material, pricing, engineering, manufacturing, and installation information for every aspect of an interior construction project. The ICEreality app takes that functionality and blends it into a social, mobile and immersive virtual reality world that mirrors the ICE design file. When linked with an ICE software design file, an iPhone running ICEreality becomes a VR viewer into the connected file. Multiple users check out their space in VR at the same time from their own mobile devices. They’re transformed into avatars to walk through their construction project together before it’s built.

The collaborative experience inspires conversations and allows people to easily see, modify, and evaluate their environment. Changes to the design can be made on the spot within ICE itself as the user explores the VR version of the space. Simultaneously, those changes alter the VR world to match visually and with all backend data including pricing.

ICEreality is available on the App Store and is compatible with iPhone 6s or newer, running iOS11. Users without a connection to DIRTT’s ICE software can explore the app’s pre-loaded DIRTT timber frame demo file. For the full experience with ICE software, contact us and try it in person!