**7.4 Virtual and augmented reality (VR/AR)**

Other visualization technologies that have shown major potential for use in collaborative operations are virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR). Virtual reality has a major benefit to the AEC industry. Architects can represent and evaluate their design on a scale of 1:1 and walk through their project as if it had been built; by this technique, clients can understand the design and modify the design to suit their requirements. As a medium, VR has three specific characteristics. It is interactive (users can interact with models), spatial (models are represented in three spatial dimensions) and real-time (feedback from actions is given without noticeable pauses). With the ability to exploit and reuse information directly from models, current multidisciplinary collaboration can evolve towards integrated multidisciplinary collaboration on models.
