Digitization is engulfing the world now. Different sectors, domains, and industries are either on the verge or have already scaled new heights with the help of digitization. The construction business is also feeling the essence of upcoming technologies productively. Safe to say, these technologies, namely, Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, IoT, Computer Vision, will soon revolutionize and upgrade the entire landscape of the construction business – be it in terms of Productivity, Safety, and Quality.
Artificial Intelligence is bound to increase productivity and efficiency throughout the construction landscape – from the production of building materials to the design, planning, and construction phase itself.
But how does your company benefit the most from Artificial Intelligence?
For several decades, the productivity output in the entire construction industry is a matter of concern. A completion rate of 100% does not necessarily signify a productive business.
Job Completion is just the final factor.
A Productive Business is not. It further depends on a lot of other crucial and complex factors.
One such major component lying within the construction site itself is -- Logistical Inefficiencies.
Below is an analysis of the factors that give rise to poor profitability:
The Time Factor – Nearly one-third of the time is lost in transports, rearrangements, downtimes, and search for materials in a construction site
The Delay Factor – The above has a coupling effect in terms of delays in projects
The Budget Factor – Approximately 90% of megaprojects seriously go over the budget due to massive delays or deviations from the planning phase
Improving the construction execution plan
Updating of construction sequences and task management
Keeping all the stakeholders updated and informed
Increasing the productivity within the construction phase
How?
Artificial Intelligence-based tools could determine potential clashes, delays, and deviations within the construction process. This gets done by differentiating the digital twin of the building available in the cloud. Jobsite AI-run cameras can be used for imaging scanning, tracking, and capturing purposes – throughout the construction site, 24*7 without fail with 100% accuracy. These images and measurements provide the necessary input for Artificial Intelligence to track the timely progress of the physical building against the plan stored in the cloud.
This insightful comparison between the ongoing construction progress of the physical building vs. its cloud-based originally planned digital twin enables automatic identification of errors. The management can then leverage the data to react immediately and perform troubleshooting at an early stage, thus avoiding expensive adjustments at a later stage.
Potential delays and deviations will trigger Artificial Intelligence to perform automatic changes or suggest corrections based on the originally devised schedule available in the cloud. In this way, all the stakeholders – manufacturers & distributors are well updated and informed too. An AI-driven construction process can also act as a key enabler for the just-in-time delivery of construction supplies. This will result in a well-optimized process in terms of the construction site logistics – as sub-contractors and suppliers could also adjust their respective schedules as per the updated timelines.
When we explore the construction industry from a different yet critical angle, then a significant reason for the construction delays and cost overruns are accidents. The importance of increased workers’ safety at job sites should be of the utmost importance.
Artificial Intelligence in the form of Computer Vision -- coupled with Jobsite Cameras reduces the number of accidents substantially. It also helps in assessing and analyzing future risks. The benefit is quite evident at some job sites, as construction companies have started opting for Image Recognition AI-driven Cameras, thus facilitating faster site processes.
Here’s a Jobsite scenario as an example:
A construction worker needs a specific tool, e.g., a hot saw
They can quickly ask the Artificial Intelligence into their smartphone: “Where is a circular saw not in use?”
The AI then scans the images from the many cameras on-site and indicates the location of the closest hot saw
The on-site worker then requests the AI to send authorized staff to their respective location with the hot saw, and the AI performs accordingly
With an AI-driven End-to-End System -- the potential increase in Labor Productivity is estimated to be 40%, along with a Projection Completion at more than 10% below budget. All this, because of an efficient and smooth workflow.
Apart from accident prevention, Artificial Intelligence also helps operators of heavy and mobile machinery at construction sites. On many occasions, operators have to perform numerous tasks simultaneously while working on a machine. This becomes a major cause for high error rates and efficiency losses.
Artificial Intelligence has the power to simplify the use of heavy machinery exceptionally -- by helping the machine operator in executing routine tasks. These repeated tasks are tailor-made to be superseded by AI-based tools, as they can learn and adapt these tasks conveniently.
In this manner, the operator can now focus on more complex and value-addition tasks. Artificial Intelligence also elevates safety in operating construction machinery. AI-based cameras constantly scan the situation and check for potential accidents with people and objects. Accordingly, then the operator gets a prior warning to prevent the collision or stop the machine itself. Artificial Intelligence, therefore, empowers operators to work quickly, precisely, and efficiently for lengthy periods, leading to an estimated 60% increase in the productivity of mobile machinery.
All in all, it can be rightly put that with the help of Artificial Intelligence, the construction industry is ready for a meaningful digital change. With the right plan and an open mind toward new technologies, the digitalization of construction can be closer than many might think.
To explore more about viAct's capabilities to help construction industry operations to go on automation completely, set a free demo with our technical expert here.
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