Visualizing Complex Environments – Why the Corps must embrace innovation and 3-D processes
MAJOR M J FRY BEng MSc CEng MInstRE
The world in which we operate is becoming more complicated and increasingly difficult to understand. There is an acknowledgement that military operations are likely to take place in complex, congested environments such as cities, with unique infrastructure systems and complex social and cultural dimensions that appear to be impossible to understand. Sappers have a critical role in explaining these environments and ‘bringing 
the ground to life’ to enable operational effect. This demands an understanding of not only mapping and geospatial analysis but also detailed knowledge of complex infrastructure, how it works and how it affects the people it serves. Coherent analysis of overlapping complex systems will be essential for us to adequately support future operations.
With the unlocking of innovation funds from Army Headquarters in 2018, 170 (Infrastructure) Engineer Group took the bold step of undertaking an innovation programme called Visualizing Complex Environments (VCE), which aimed to replicate and build upon the work completed in Chatham. A list of equipment and software that was requested and articulates possible workflows that would allow rear-based analysis to be conducted.
527 STRE conducted experiments using 360° and stereoscopic 360° imagery2 to create ‘Google street view’ for task sites. The cost of all hardware and software was less than £1,000. Outputs can be shared on a standard laptop, tablet or mobile device through a web browser or can be viewed in Virtual Reality (VR). Furthermore, gyroscopic sensors in tablets and mobile devices can be used to sense where the user wishes to look to create a more intuitive experience. The inclusion of a site plan with location markers also allows the user to jump intuitively to the desired location.
