The construction industry is one of the most important fields for human development, and AI cannot replace workers or tasks in it. However, despite being so essential, the challenges in the industry are significantly hindering progress. Cost mismanagement, slow technology adoption, and the lack of proper communication have led to massive project lags, affecting companies’ reputations.
Unfortunately, we cannot track the causes of human errors, including resistance to change and poor safety protocols. These issues impact the sector, requiring change as soon as possible to avoid disrupted workflows and injuries. According to Statista, a record of 2,374,139 occupational injuries at work occurred only in construction and agriculture in the European Union, followed by manufacturing and wholesale.
So, how can we make construction safer and more efficient? Let’s find out!
3D printing for enhanced designs and cost-efficient projects
In construction, 3D printing is a simple process of layering material one after another until the structure is completed. Construction 3D printers are tools that extrude concrete to form a digital pre-programmed model. Although it needs development and investment, 3D printing has already been used for houses, offices, and various other structures.
3D is a considerable technological development in this industry, as many other tasks are based on it. For example, an injection moulding company requires leveraged 3D designs to create sustainable and cost-reducing products that provide the latest and best services.
The advantages of using 3D printing in construction include the following:
- Leveraging flexible designs since they can be customised;
- Producing anything fast due to the automation process;
- Minimising waste as 3D printing uses only the materials needed;
- Eliminating human-based errors;
However, 3D printing poses several challenges:
- It requires high investment costs;
- It needs improved quality control;
- It lacks labour supply;
Innovative heavy equipment that protects employees
Handling heavy equipment in construction is necessary to finish a project, but it can sometimes pose risks to workers and be inefficient due to various reasons. That’s why advanced strategies and tools can solve the problem―you can check out successful project stories at https://www.hsv-tmp.com/.
For instance, construction and demolition waste is detrimental to the environment, but it can be tackled through concrete crushers and removal equipment. At the same time, companies could get mini-excavators or trench diggers, which are helpful in places where manual work was only done previously. They ensure speed of work and efficiency due to being fit for every type of terrain.
Another useful technological tool includes global position systems (GPS) that can be used in tracking expensive machine, therefore lowering the chances of theft, which is common in the industry, minimising property risk is more efficient in machinery where GPS is built-in already.
Drones that ensure high-surveillance
Drones, or UAVs, are the latest trend in construction, with a considerable number of companies already leveraging their benefits. Workers using drones are more efficient in inspecting recent constructions or structures, especially tall ones, as they don’t risk their lives doing it.
Drones can also provide real-time data about the progress on the site, offering teams valuable information about the quality and safety of the project in its current state. Therefore, with drones, communication is streamlined better, so that everyone is on the same page with the project’s progress.
Still, companies must be wary of the challenges posed by using drones. For instance, drones are lighter, so they’re not fit to be used in poor weather conditions, even though they would provide on-site information. At the same time, using drones requires permits, especially when working in a large city.
Predictive analysis for improving construction projects
Predictive analysis is less common in construction at the moment, but it will become the centrepiece of every project since it’ll give essential insight into its outcomes and challenges. The system includes technologies like Internet of Things, Artificial Intelligence, and Machine Learning models, which have the potential to reduce maintenance costs and prevent downtime.
These technologies can be attached to construction equipment to gather data, which will be later analysed to form predictive outcomes with the help of AI algorithms. For instance, such a system could give important information about the machinery’s condition, which can sometimes be close to breaking. However, without internal analysis, it may be difficult for employees to identify it.
Volvo, for example, has a special system through which machine fault codes are provided in clear messages so anyone can solve the issue before becoming a challenging problem. The monitoring and fleet utilisation program is great for machines like articulated haulers or wheel loaders.
Equipment management apps that ensure efficiency
Although the construction industry hasn’t been open to technologies like software or phone-based applications, things have changed in the past years a companies needed to find easier ways to streamline processes.
This is the case with equipment-based mobile apps in which employees can rely on a single source of relevant information regarding their tasks while being able to track equipment in real-time. Tools and machinery connected to the application can enhance employee collaboration and improve management.
Tagging equipment with GPSD trackers is also a good idea, especially when known to be moved across different sites. However, this needs to be done on a bigger scale because it can otherwise be inefficient for small precision tools or sensitive instruments.
Some more approachable and affordable solutions include using QR codes on equipment that is compatible with a mobile tool. This feature will help employees check the latest location of the construction equipment based on the last time someone scanned it with a device. A service technician can access the same information in case there are problems with the machinery’s efficiency.
The future of the construction industry looks promising
The world would be nothing without homes, offices, and many other constructions. Still, as we move fast to the future, we need to find better solutions for building homes efficiently and safely. For now, the best solution is to integrate technology as much as possible in the decision-making process and labour sector to minimise human errors and save time.