Critical Reflection

At the beginning of the module, my goal was to become a better listener, ensure I give space to my teammates to share their thoughts fully and hoped to build my overall presentation skills. After progressing through the entire module, I was able to better understand how critical active listening was. 

Throughout this trimester, being exposed to a range of skills like writing presentations, really opened my horizons on how important effective communication is. Moreover, for someone who thought I had good writing skills, I became aware that there was so much room for improvement. The module offered plenty of resources, especially the sample examples and the instructional units which were very detailed, providing a clear overview on what were the requirements of the module and what was to be achieved by the end of it.  As the lessons progressed, I learnt more and realized how the resources for this module helped my other modules. For example, the previous trimester, when submitting reports and written documents, I've always felt like it was not professional enough and as I got to learn about things like APA styling, the correct use of structures, I applied these into my report submission and was able to attain the neat and professional document that I have always lacked, where I was actually impressed by my improvement in my quality of work.  

One main thing I learnt throughout the period of our research project was how much of a crucial role communication plays in building teamwork. After our first group session, I realised that all of us were introverts which made it difficult to communicate properly. Moreover during team discussions there were things like lack of uncertainty in task distributions and hesitation in sharing our thoughts with each other. To address the issue, after every lesson we had a small debrief session on what each of us could do and discuss about the things that had to be completed. Through this experience, I learnt that you do not have to be an extrovert to communicate during group projects and small things such as actively listening and taking note of what our teammates say is important. All in all my teammates made me realise how much of a huge difference active listening can actually make. Moving forward, I’d like to be even more proactive and make sure that everyone feels included.

Additional Final Draft Reader Response

XYZ Reality’s Atom is the most powerful augmented reality tool designed for construction (XYZ Reality, 2025). According to XYZ Reality’s website (2025), “the Atom is a cutting-edge tool that makes the entire construction journey safer and more efficient, reducing waste, de-risking processes, and allowing construction teams to build it right, the first time.” The headset has 3 main qualities: accuracy, safety and performance. The atom offers highly accurate precision for onsite design modelling, ensuring millimeter-accuracy. The device is safety certified with a built-in protection and comfort for enhanced usability. Additionally, the interaction with large-scale 3D models in real time, eliminating lag for optimal performance. This ensures that construction teams can continue their work uninterrupted, regardless of connectivity issues. By integrating the Atom headset into construction workflows, companies can achieve greater precision in project execution, reduce errors, and enhance collaboration among team members (Stanton, 2022). This technological advancement represents a significant leap forward in the construction industry's adoption of AR, setting new standards for project management and execution.

 

The ground-breaking technology that the Atom presents has great potential to transform the construction industry through eliminating rework, and notable advantages such as significantly boost productivity and in ensuring seamless project execution.

 

XYZ Reality’s Atom has the power to significantly eliminate rework. According to PM Group, (XYZ Reality, 2021), which used the Atom during a rainwater pipe installation, explains that before any major works started, the Atom pinpointed multiple discrepancies, which saved the company over £250,000 and over 3.5 weeks of rework. This emphasizes on the quality of the 3D modelling aspect of the Atom. Unlike 2D blueprint that requires manual interpretation with the chances of having human error, the 3D model positioning produces a comprehensive view of the site which assists users to immediately observe and correct the disparity between the planned version and the actual building. 2D blueprints were effective in the past but often left room for miscommunication, errors, and delays, and most importantly, they could not capture the full complexity of building systems (MaRS BIM Solutions, 2025). As such, adopting the Atom helps to directly address the issue of design and execution errors, leading to fewer instances of the reworking of a project.

 

Another notable advantage of the Atom is its ability to boost productivity and ensure seamless project execution. Coral Butler who was working with XYZ Reality Atom since the beginning, highlighted the powerful AR technology the Atom holds played a crucial role in elevating the performance and enhancing the stands across many highly important projects (Ellis, 2021). The 3 main components of the Atom’s ability to work indoors, outdoors and offline is a crucial reason for their high efficiency work. With engineers being able to work anywhere at any time without the usage of the internet, it is of high convenience for them and saves a lot of time where for instance, there is no need to travel to the site to make changes, instead they can do it at the comfort of their own homes. Moreover, the automation of real-time verification and digital overlays eliminates the need for frequent manual inspections. At the same time, for projects that require multiple people to work together, the Atom can livestream into the headset which allows the teams to see what the user is seeing in the construction site (Ford,2021). Consequently, such aspects of the Atom will elevate the productivity, maximising the efficiency of the project.

 

While the Atom undoubtedly offers many advantages such as eliminating the need to rework a part of the project and ensuring higher productivity, some critics argue that its implementation may pose challenges or limitations. Firstly, it could impose a financial burden on smaller companies. The expense lies not only in the high-tech components but also in the sophisticated software that powers these experiences (Brand XR, 2024). With the Atom being an advanced augmented reality tool, it requires significant investment for purchase implementation and maintenance.  Secondly, there is the challenge of integrating workers into an AI-driven workflow.  APA’s 2023 work in America survey results show that nearly 4 out of 10 U.S. workers are worried AI may make some or all of their jobs obsolete in the future” (Lerner,2024). Workers may be hesitant to use the Atom due to fear of displacement from their jobs.

However, while the costs may seem significant, the long-term benefits outweigh these concerns. Investing in buying the Atom will save far more money than having to additionally pay extra for rework and having to face delayed project deadlines. Furthermore, XYZ Reality offers a demo for companies to try out the product before deciding to buy one. In addition, AI devices like the Atom can enhance workers’ capabilities rather than replace jobs, since integrating the Atom will help to finish the project faster and with maximum productivity.

 

In conclusion, the Atom is an asset to construction companies with its significant potential to eliminate rework, enhance productivity and ensure seamless project execution.

To ensure widespread adoption the government in Singapore should consider subsidizing the Atom as its benefits outweigh the initial investment in it, especially with its capability to digitalise and modernise the construction industry. Ultimately, this investment would lead to a more efficient, competitive and a sustainable construction sector.

 

 

 

References:

Ellis, D. (2021, November 22). XYZ marks global launch and unveils Atom AR headset.  Construction Digital. https://constructiondigital.com/digital-construction/xyz-marks-global-launch-and-unveils-atom-ar-headset

 

Ford, J. (2021, December 06). Atom augmented reality brings construction sites to life. The Engineer.  https://www.theengineer.co.uk/content/news/atom-augmented-reality-brings-construction-sites-to-life/ 

Lerner, M. (2024, January 30). Worried about AI in the workplace? You’re not alone. American Psychological Association.

https://www.apa.org/topics/healthy-workplaces/artificial-intelligence-workplace-worry

 

MarsBIM Solutions. (2024, December 18). Traditional drawings vs BIM  Technology: Why 2D plans are no longer enough? https://www.marsbim.com/traditional-drawings-vs-bim-technology/

 

Mattan, M. (2024, March 23). The resurgence of augment reality: A 2024 perspective https://www.brandxr.io/the-resurgence-of-augmented-reality-a-2024-perspective?utm_  

      

Stanton, J. (2022, July 13). Digital Construction Awards winner: Atom AR headset wins   On-Site Productivity. BIM+. https://www.bimplus.co.uk/digital-construction-awards-winner-atom-ar-headset-wins-on-site-productivity/

XYZ Reality. (n.d). Augmented Reality for construction. https://www.xyzreality.com/augmented-reality-for-construction

XYZ Reality launches ‘engineering grade’ AR headset. (2021, November 22).  AEC Magazine. https://aecmag.com/vr-mr/xyz-reality-launches-engineering-grade-ar-headset/

 

 

 

Individual Research contributions to Group project

Research on The Atom

1. Pitched my technology, The Atom, to my group mates, which was initially agreed upon by all.

2. Conducted research on The Atom to explore its strengths and weaknesses.

   • Found that The Atom appeared too perfect, with minimal detailed problems or third-party critiques available.

   • Lacked sufficient reviews and independent evaluations, making it difficult to identify significant issues to address.

Proposal of Bio-Based Materials

3. Suggested Bio-Based Materials as an alternative topic.

   • Proposed this due to its relatively new implementation in the industry, making it easier to identify gaps and challenges.

   • After discussion and evaluation, the group finalized Bio-Based Materials as our research topic.

Initial Research on Bio-Based Materials

4. Collected information on how Bio-Based Materials are revolutionizing sustainable construction using Google Scholar.

5. Evaluated the pros and cons of integrating Bio-Based Materials into construction through articles and AI-generated prompts.

6. Focused on Hempcrete as the specific Bio-Based Material to research.

   • Gathered data on its benefits and limitations through Google Scholar.

Industry Trends and Relevance

7. Researched how sustainable practices are currently being integrated into civil engineering.

   • Analyzed public perception and industry adoption rates to frame our report in a way that appeals to a broader audience.

As of 28th February 2025

8. Conducted an in-depth study on Hempcrete, focusing on:

   • Unique properties that differentiate it from other sustainable materials.

   • Key physical and chemical attributes crucial for construction decision-making.

   • Used AI-powered search tools to locate resources such as Wikipedia, news articles, and expert reviews.

9. Investigated climate change and its current impact on humans and the environment through OneSearch .

   • Found comparative data on past vs. present climate conditions and the role of human activities in exacerbating climate issues.

10. Researched existing sustainable materials in the construction industry using Google Scholar.

• Identified materials that have had significant impacts and those that have shown minimal effectiveness.

• Used findings to build a strong argument for Hempcrete’s potential as a valuable addition to sustainable construction.

As of 11th March 2025

Presentation Preparation

11.  Preparation of slides, mock & final presentation.

• Created a shared word document for everyone to write their pitch, wrote and prepared for the mock pitch
• Set up a meeting in discord for my groupmates and I to rehearse our speech and gave feedbacks on how to improve it
• We split the google slides, into 4 sections and we worked on our own parts and assisted with the animations and standardising the format in all of our slides.
• Further refined my pitch, after the mock presentation
• Initiated group meetings and we did a couple of dry runs before the the presentation to give a few more feedbacks and do some refinement

As of 21th March 2025

• Making changes to the report based on the feedback we received from the consultations. 
• Cleaned up the references list
• Did the secondary research part
• Made changes to the executive summary
• Changed the texts to third person point of view

Sakthi Priya Sundar_Reader Response_Final Draft

 XYZ Reality’s Atom is the most powerful augmented reality tool designed for construction (XYZ Reality, 2025). According to XYZ Reality’s website (2025), “the Atom is a cutting-edge tool that makes the entire construction journey safer and more efficient, reducing waste, de-risking processes, and allowing construction teams to build it right, the first time.” The headset has 3 main qualities, accuracy, safety and performance. The atom offers highly accurate precision for onsite design modeling, ensuring millimeter-accuracy. The device is safety certified with a built-in protection and comfort for enhanced usability. Additionally the interaction with large-scale 3D models in real time, eliminating lag for optimal performance.

This ensures that construction teams can continue their work uninterrupted, regardless of connectivity issues. By integrating the Atom headset into construction workflows, companies can achieve greater precision in project execution, reduce errors, and enhance collaboration among team members(Stanton, 2022). This technological advancement represents a significant leap forward in the construction industry's adoption of AR, setting new standards for project management and execution.

The ground breaking technology that the Atom presents has great potential to transform the construction industry through eliminating rework, significantly boost productivity and in ensuring seamless project execution.

XYZ Reality’s Atom has the power to significantly eliminate rework. According to PM Group, (XYZ Reality, 2021) who used the Atom during a rainwater pipe installation, explains that before any major works started, the Atom pinpointed multiple discrepancies, which saved the company over £250,000 and over 3.5 weeks of rework. This emphasizes on the quality of the 3D modeling aspect of the Atom. Unlike 2D blueprint that requires manual interpretation with the chances of having human error, the 3D model positioning produces a comprehensive view of the site which assists users to immediately pick out  and correct the disparity between the planned version and the actual building. 2D blueprints were effective in the past but often left room for miscommunication, errors, delays and most importantly could not capture the full complexity of building systems (MaRS BIM Solutions,2025). As such, adopting the Atom helps to directly address the issue of design and execution errors, leading to avoid reworking of the project.

Another notable advantage of the Atom is its ability to boost productivity and ensure seamless project execution. Working with XYZ Reality Atom since the beginning, highlighted the powerful AR technology the Atom holds played a crucial role in elevating the performance and enhance the stands across many highly important projects  (Ellis, 2021). The 3 main components of the Atom’s ability to work indoors, outdoors and offline is a crucial reason for their high efficiency work. With engineers being able to work anywhere at any time without the usage of the internet, it is of high convenience for them and saves a lot of time where for instance, there is no need to travel to the site to make changes, instead they can do it at the comfort of their own homes. Moreover, the automation of real-time verification and digital overlays eliminates the need for frequent manual inspections. Moreover, for projects that require multiple people to work together, the Atom has a the ability to livestream into the headset which allows the teams to see what the user is seeing in the construction site (Ford,2021). Consequently, such aspects of the Atom will elevate the productivity, maximising the efficiency of the project.

While the Atom undoubtedly offers many benefits such as eliminating rework and productivity, some critics argue that their implementation may pose challenges or limitations. It could impose a financial burden to smaller companies and the challenges of integrating workers into AI-driven workflow. The expense lies not only in the high-tech components but also in the sophisticated software that powers these experiences (Brand XR,2024). With the Atom being an advanced augmented reality tool, it requires significant investment for purchase implementation and maintenance. Moreover, “APA’s 2023 work in America survey results show that nearly 4 out of 10 U.S. workers are worried AI may make some or all of their jobs obsolete in the future” (Lerner,2024). Workers may be hesitant to use the Atom due to fear of displacement from their jobs.

However, while the costs may seem significant, the long term benefits outweigh these concerns. Investing in buying the Atom will save far more money than having to additionally pay extra for rework and having to face delayed project deadlines. Furthermore, XYZ Reality offers a demo for companies to try out the product before deciding to buy one. In addition, AI devices like the Atom are to enhance workers’ capabilities rather than replacing jobs, where integrating the Atom will help to finish the project faster and with maximum productivity. 

In conclusion, the Atom is a valuable asset to construction companies with its significant potential to eliminate rework, enhance productivity and ensure seamless project execution. 

To ensure widespread adoption the government should consider subsidizing the Atom as its benefits outweigh the initial investment in it, especially with its capability to digitalise and modernise the construction industry. Ultimately, this investment would lead to a more efficient, competitive and a sustainable construction sector. 

References:

  Aec Magazine. (2021, November 22). XYZ Reality launches ‘engineering grade’ AR headset

            https://aecmag.com/vr-mr/xyz-reality-launches-engineering-grade-ar-headset/ 

  Ellis, D. (2021, November 22). XYZ marks global launch and unveils Atom AR headset.  https://constructiondigital.com/digital-construction/xyz-marks-global-launch-and-unveils-atom-ar-headset 

 

  Ford, J. (2021, December 06). Atom augmented reality brings construction sites to life. The Engineer.                   https://www.theengineer.co.uk/content/news/atom-augmented-reality-brings-construction-sites-to-life/ 

   Lerner, M. (2024, January 30). Worried about AI in the workplace? You’re not alone

            https://www.apa.org/topics/healthy-workplaces/artificial-intelligence-workplace-worry 

  Marsbim. (2024, December 18). Traditional Drawings vs BIM  Technology: Why 2D Plans         Are No Longer Enough?           

            https://www.marsbim.com/traditional-drawings-vs-bim-technology/ 

          

  Stanton, J. (2022, July 13). Digital Construction Awards winner: Atom AR headset wins   On-Site Productivity. BIM+       https://www.bimplus.co.uk/digital-construction-awards-winner-atom-ar-headset-wins-on-site-productivity/ 

    XYZ Reality. (n.d). Augmented Reality for construction. 

           https://www.xyzreality.com/augmented-reality-for-construction# 

Summary & Reader Response draft #4

 XYZ Reality’s Atom is the most powerful augmented reality tool designed for construction (XYZ Reality, 2025). According to XYZ Reality’s website (2025), the Atom is a cutting-edge tool that makes the entire construction journey safer and more efficient, reducing waste, de-risking processes, and allowing construction teams to build it right, the first time. The Atom headset is engineered for durability and safety, featuring a hard-hat design that meets BSI and ANSI certifications. Its ergonomic build ensures comfort during extended use, while its robust construction withstands the rigors of construction environments. The device's processing capabilities, including Intel i7 Quadcore processing, 1TB storage, and 16GB RAM, support the seamless operation of large-scale models without lag, even in offline conditions. This ensures that construction teams can continue their work uninterrupted, regardless of connectivity issues.By integrating the Atom headset into construction workflows, companies can achieve greater precision in project execution, reduce errors, and enhance collaboration among team members(Stanton, 2022). This technological advancement represents a significant leap forward in the construction industry's adoption of AR, setting new standards for project management and execution.

With this ground-breaking technology, the Atom developed by XYZ Reality,  the construction industry has an extraordinary future in eliminating rework and in boosting productivity.

XYZ Reality’s Atom holds the potential to significantly eliminate rework. According to Diarmuid O’Sullivan, the Atom has allowed them to move away from a reactive approach to tackling errors, to a more proactive way of working, solving problems before they actualise as a cost. With millimeter-level accuracy, the Atom overlays 3D models onto the construction site, allowing teams to promptly identify and correct discrepancies between the planned and actual builds. This proactive approach minimizes errors and rework, leading to substantial cost savings and improved project timelines. The Atom during rainwater pipe installation helped identify multiple positional discrepancies before major works commenced, saving over £250,000 and 3.5 weeks of predicted rework (Stanton, 2022b).

Another notable advantage of the Atom is its ability to boost productivity and ensuring seamless project execution.By leveraging augmented reality for precision-guided construction, it minimizes errors and rework, thereby lowering material waste and labor expenses(XYZ Reality, 2025). The automation of real-time verification and digital overlays eliminates the need for frequent manual inspections, allowing organizations to allocate resources more effectively. According to Coral Butler who has been working with XYZ Reality since the beginning have already been impressed with how their powerful AR technology has been able to significantly increase efficiency and improve quality across multiple mission critical projects. As a result, the reduction in rework and increment of workflow efficiency directly contributes to heightened productivity across construction sites

While the Atom systems undoubtedly offer significant benefits in terms of safety and

productivity on construction sites, some critics argue that their implementation may pose

challenges or limitations.The Atom revolves around its high upfront costs and the challenges of integrating workers into AI-driven workflows. The Atom, being an advanced augmented reality tool,requires significant investment for purchase, implementation, and maintenance, which could be a financial burden for smaller firms. Additionally, workers may resist adapting to new technology, especially if they lack tech experience. This could slow adoption and require costly training. There are also concerns about job displacement, as AI tools might automate tasks traditionally done by manual workers, raising questions about the potential impact on employment within the construction industry. 

While the Atom’s upfront costs may seem significant, its long-term benefits outweigh these concerns. The technology significantly reduces rework, prevents costly errors, and boosts overall productivity, leading to faster project completion and greater cost savings. Regarding worker adaptation, the Atom is designed to be user-friendly, requiring minimal training. Workers can quickly learn how to use the system, gaining valuable skills that align with the industry’s increasing digitalization. Rather than replacing jobs, AI tools like the Atom enhance workers’ capabilities, allowing them to focus on more complex tasks and increasing job satisfaction and productivity.

In conclusion, the Atom's significant potential to improve efficiency, reduce rework, and enhance productivity makes it an invaluable tool for the construction industry. Given its ability to streamline operations, cut costs, and drive long-term savings, the Atom can lead to transformative changes in construction practices. Its benefits far outweigh the initial investment, especially as it supports the digitalization and modernization of the industry. To encourage widespread adoption and ensure that even smaller firms can access this groundbreaking technology, the government should consider subsidizing the cost of the Atom. This investment would ultimately lead to a more efficient, competitive, and sustainable construction sector.

Stanton, J. (2022, July 14). Digital Construction Awards winner: Atom AR headset wins On-Site Productivity. BIM+.  https://www.bimplus.co.uk/digital-construction-awards-winner-atom-ar-headset-wins-on-site-productivity/?utm_source=chatgpt.com 

XYZ Reality Integration | AutoDesk Construction Cloud. (n.d.). https://construction.autodesk.com/workflows/construction-software-integrations/xyz-reality/

https://technologymagazine.com/ai-and-machine-learning/xyz-reality-launches-ar-headset-atom 

https://aecmag.com/vr-mr/xyz-reality-launches-engineering-grade-ar-headset/ derisking part

Summary + Thesis + Supports #Draft 3

Thesis statement (your assertion): With this ground-breaking technology, the Atom developed by XYZ Reality,  the construction industry has an extraordinary future in eliminating rework and in boosting productivity.

Support #1: holds the potential to significantly eliminate rework.

Support #2: plays a notable role in boosting productivity

Counterargument: Implementation costs & Integrating into the AI

Conclusion: In conclusion, XYZ Reality's the Atom hold a crucial place in the future of civil engineering.

Summary, Thesis & Supporting Argument Draft #2

XYZ Reality’s Atom is the most powerful augmented reality tool designed for construction (XYZ Reality, 2025). According to XYZ Reality’s website (2025), the Atom is a cutting-edge tool that makes the entire construction journey safer and more efficient, reducing waste, de-risking processes, and allowing construction teams to build it right, the first time. The Atom headset is engineered for durability and safety, featuring a hard-hat design that meets BSI and ANSI certifications. Its ergonomic build ensures comfort during extended use, while its robust construction withstands the rigors of construction environments. The device's processing capabilities, including Intel i7 Quadcore processing, 1TB storage, and 16GB RAM, support the seamless operation of large-scale models without lag, even in offline conditions. This ensures that construction teams can continue their work uninterrupted, regardless of connectivity issues. By integrating the Atom headset into construction workflows, companies can achieve greater precision in project execution, reduce errors, and enhance collaboration among team members(Stanton, 2022). This technological advancement represents a significant leap forward in the construction industry's adoption of AR, setting new standards for project management and execution.

With this ground-breaking technology, the Atom developed by XYZ Reality,  the construction industry has an extraordinary future in eliminating rework and in boosting productivity.

XYZ Reality’s Atom holds the potential to significantly eliminate rework. According to Diarmuid O’Sullivan, (2025), the Atom has allowed them to move away from a reactive approach to tackling errors, to a more proactive way of working, solving problems before they actualize as a cost. With millimeter-level accuracy, the Atom overlays 3D models onto the construction site, allowing teams to promptly identify and correct discrepancies between the planned and actual builds. This proactive approach minimizes errors and rework, leading to substantial cost savings and improved project timelines. The Atom during rainwater pipe installation helped identify multiple positional discrepancies before major works commenced, saving over £250,000 and 3.5 weeks of predicted rework (Stanton, 2022b).

References:

Stanton, J. (2022, July 14). Digital Construction Awards winner: Atom AR headset wins On-Site Productivity. BIM+. https://www.bimplus.co.uk/digital-construction-awards-winner-atom-ar-headset-wins-on-site-productivity/?utm_source=chatgpt.com

XYZ Reality Integration | AutoDesk Construction Cloud. (n.d.). https://construction.autodesk.com/workflows/construction-software-integrations/xyz-reality/