Earth science is 3D in nature, it can be hidden below the surface and can range in size from sand grains to mountain ranges. Humans study and solve issues in a 3D world but have been forced to communicate these 3D concepts using 2D images and drawings. This makes it difficult to communicate the scale and scope of challenging projects, as well as the complex geological conditions that must be addressed to achieve project success. This is especially important when seeking critical input from stakeholders such as communities, rights holders, and long-term stewards.  

BGC’s response to this challenge was to develop the Ada Platform in 2017, a functional software platform for Microsoft’s Mixed Reality HoloLens head-mounted displays. These displays enable project team members and stakeholders to collaboratively discuss complex applied science challenges as 3D holographic models. Mixed reality blends both physical and digital worlds to provide an immersive experience that is more accessible and interactive for users, allowing data to move from monitors to (3D) models.

The Ada Platform was acquired in June 2020 by Clirio, a software company that provides studio services and leverages the Clirio Platform. The application suite spans mobile devices, PCs, and Mixed Reality head‑mounted displays that enable project teams to create and manage 3D scans of the real world along with designs and distribute them for collaborative discussions.

Since 2020 BGC, in partnership with Clirio, has been using the Clirio Platform to communicate applied-earth-science challenges using 3D immersive experiences for different industries and sectors, including surface and subsurface visualizations, training applications, and more.