Digital Engineering & Advisory

Defining digital

We use the words ‘digital disruption’ to describe the change that occurs when new digital technologies and business models affect how we do business. At Aurecon, “digital” means transforming the way we engineer, design and advise so we can help you – our clients and communities – become future ready.

What is digital engineering?

Digital engineering is the art of creating, capturing and integrating data using a digital skillset. This process enables designers to interact with and modify digitised representations of a design, facilitating communication and collaboration to resolve design challenges more effectively and efficiently than before. It also enables designers to innovate and develop solutions that push the boundaries of imagination and creativity.

How we define digital engineering ›

What do we mean by digital engineering transformation?

Digital engineering transformation refers to the integration of new technologies into the way we practice engineering and design. As digital technologies and their real-world applications continue to evolve, we are provided with increasing opportunity to transform the way we engineer, moving away from traditional methods and increasingly towards digital approaches that deliver more efficient, innovative and effective outcomes for users and clients.

The digitisation of engineering provides engineering practitioners with new ways to envision design, and to engage and collaborate with our clients, stakeholders and communities; using tools like virtual reality, augmented reality, visual models and virtual representations (flythrough videos and still images).

The benefits of digital engineering ›

What do we mean by digitising infrastructure?

Digitising infrastructure refers to the application of digital engineering approaches and tools to design. From the initial designs of new builds to the retrofitting of digital technologies to existing operations, we are designing new ways of delivering future-proofed infrastructure by exploring new technologies and emerging opportunities, helping our clients mitigate the effects of disruption on their projects.

What role does data capture play in digital engineering?

Data capture is any method of transforming information into a form that can be read by a computer. For Aurecon, it is the process of extracting key data from collection tools, and interpreting or manipulating that data for use in digital engineering approaches which inform the design outcome of a project.

One example of data capture is a photogrammetry scan, used on major infrastructure projects such as the remediation of Deans Head to capture the constantly changing topography after the 2011 Christchurch earthquakes.

Without a complete data set, engineers cannot effectively take advantage of the benefits of visualisation technologies because the representations would not accurately reflect project conditions. Conversely, if digital engineering tools are unable to accurately interpret the available data, then engineers may be designing solutions that may not be providing the best outcomes for the client.

Data capture with drones ›

What do we use virtual reality for?

Virtual reality (VR) is a term used to describe a computer generated, immersive 3D environment in which an individual can interact with their surrounds and manipulate objects. We use virtual reality and other visual technologies because it can lead to exciting new discoveries throughout the design and delivery of projects.

At Aurecon, we have been actively using visual technologies to visually collaborate with clients and engage communities on projects such as Wynyard Station Upgrade, Christchurch Bus Interchange and Brisbane Airport. These technologies help us co-create and test human-centred solutions, and allow our stakeholders to see the full extent of their design decisions in an interactive and safe way.

What is SMART technology?

Smart technology is defined by technologies that are connected through the Internet of Things (IoT), using sensors to analyse their environment and automatically modify their behaviour to provide for users in that environment.

Smart technologies are reactive to human actions and have the capability to self-regulate – to make their own decisions and respond to changes in the environment without human intervention. An example of smart technology is a temperature sensor, which helps a building self-regulate the optimum settings for heating and cooling.

What is a smart building? ›
What are smart cities? ›

What is the difference between artificial intelligence and machine learning?

Artificial intelligence (AI) is a term used to describe “intelligence” demonstrated by machines. AI programs may mimic or simulate cognitive behaviours or traits associated with human intelligence such as reasoning, problem solving and learning.

Machine learning is a subset of artificial intelligence, and describes a form of artificial intelligence programming which makes it possible for a machine to iteratively “learn” from experience. This “learning” is the refinement parameters based on observed data (historical or new) and related calculations. In this way the machine’s model of a system and the associated outputs (decision making behaviour) is adapted. It makes use of the ability of an AI program to recognise patterns in large amounts of data.

Artificial intelligence vs human intelligence – a competition or collaboration? ›