POSCO Construction Opens Virtual Office 'MetaSpace'
Enhances Communication Efficiency Between Site and Headquarters... Also Aligns with MZ Generation's Perspective
Expands Usage Beyond Model Houses to 'Digital Twin' Technology
[Asia Economy Reporter Ryu Tae-min] The metaverse trend is gaining momentum in the construction industry. The scope of metaverse utilization is actively expanding beyond the existing sales promotion centers to various fields such as major construction processes and collaboration facilities.
According to the industry on the 21st, POSCO Engineering & Construction opened the metaverse virtual office building ‘POSCO E&C META Space’. META Space is a service utilizing the metaverse platform ‘ZEP’, jointly developed by Naver Z, the operator of Naver’s metaverse Zepeto, and Supercat. It features a virtual workspace modeled after actual buildings such as POSCO E&C’s Songdo office building. Visitors can explore business-related spaces on each floor, such as ‘Ganggeonjae Town’ and ‘The Sharp Lounge’, and employees can attend real-time meetings by sending their avatars to virtual conference rooms and meeting rooms. The development purpose of META Space is to support meeting tasks among sites, headquarters, and stakeholders.
This is not the first time the construction industry has introduced virtual offices. Since May, Dongbu Construction has been piloting ‘Meta Dongbu’, a real-time decision-making platform using the metaverse. Meta Dongbu also features virtual workspaces modeled after not only the headquarters but also construction sites. Five locations are targeted, including Gimpo Hangang Logistics and Jisan (architecture), Honam Scrap 2-2 (civil engineering), and Laos Mekong River Comprehensive Management Phase 2 (overseas).
Dongbu Construction plans to actively communicate with MZ generation employees through Meta Dongbu. In March, a meeting between new employees and the CEO was held via Meta Dongbu. Last month, a ‘flea market’ for trading used goods among employees was also held.
Until a few years ago, the use of the metaverse in the construction industry was limited to model houses. It began in October 2020 when Hyundai Engineering & Construction introduced the Daejeon Gapcheon 1 Triple City Hillstate model house in a non-face-to-face manner for the first time in the industry. Since then, many construction companies have launched online model house exhibition halls incorporating virtual reality (VR) technology. These have high efficiency from the construction companies’ perspective because they are not restricted by visitor numbers or time, and there is no need for separate demolition after sales are completed.
Recently, there has been a movement to utilize metaverse technology across overall site operations such as construction and safety inspections. A representative technology, ‘Digital Twin’, refers to the exact virtual replication of objects, systems, and environments existing in the real world. It identifies potential issues through simulations in the virtual world before actual products are made, finding the optimal state.
DL E&C is accelerating the development of digital twins through a business agreement with KT. DL E&C plans to apply its previously developed real-time virtual visualization solution ‘Divirtual’ to virtual model houses. This will allow consumers to simulate interior materials, finishes, and furniture options in real time through cyber model houses.
Daewoo E&C has also been intensifying research and implementation of digital twin technology since November last year. In April, it launched the virtual model house service ‘Meta Gallery’ using Unity’s commercial game development engine ‘Unity Engine’. Additionally, it integrated technology that reviews and executes architectural planning, design, engineering, construction, and maintenance through 3D modeling.
Meanwhile, some construction companies are fostering advanced corporate cultures by utilizing the metaverse for safety training and new employee education. GS Engineering & Construction signed a business agreement with Ventavr to develop smart safety and health education content based on the metaverse platform. Lotte Engineering & Construction also held a recruitment briefing session using the metaverse platform ZEP.
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