The construction industry is among the largest in the world in terms of market capitalisation. According to a McKinsey report published in 2017, the annual industry spending on construction-related goods and services was nearly $10 trillion annually. However, its productivity is not keeping pace with the investment, as there is a massive $ 1.6 trillion opportunity to close this humongous gap.
The difference is mainly
attributed to a shortage of skilled workers, wastage in projects, and weak
productivity growth in the segment. The wastage of resources, in particular, is
a serious concern because businesses experience wastage in both physical
materials and human productivity. Fortunately, automation technology has
emerged as the most reliable strategy to reduce dependency on human resources
and curb the wastage in the industry.
Essentially, automation refers to the process of
automating repetitive and time-consuming tasks to enhance efficiency, save
time, and improve the safety of workers on construction sites. But there is
much more that automation technology can do in the construction industry, and you can learn about these
opportunities if you dig deeper. It can play a significant role for projects,
right from the planning phase to operations and delivery of the final structure.
Here are some ways construction
businesses can leverage automation to get smarter and become more profitable in
the long run.
Autonomous
machines to handle tasks and processes
When it comes to construction
industry automation, the adoption of autonomous machines and equipment is
perhaps the most common example. Essentially, these are self-driving machines
used for various tasks and processes. For example, projects use automated vehicles
for transporting material across the site without posing safety hazards for the
workers. Trucks, diggers, forklifts, and other similar equipment are some
examples of autonomous machines used for different purposes on the project
sites.
Site workers can remotely
operate such machinery and equipment with the help of technologies such as GPS
and machine learning. Apart from reducing safety risks for the workers, these
machines double up the efficiency and cut down the dependency on human drivers
and operators even for the most complex equipment. These are a one-time
investment for any construction company as they provide extensive benefits year
after year.
Drones
for site inspection and inventory monitoring
Drones are playing a significant
role in automating construction projects as they enable the monitoring and
inspection of worksites without relying on human supervision. They can cover a
large area in minutes, something which would otherwise take hours if done with
the conventional means. Further, managers can even program drones to scan the
sites carefully for identifying any potential hazards and sending across the
related information to a centralised control system.
Drones are specifically useful
for conducting inspections on mega projects such as shopping malls and
skyscrapers. They can also facilitate inventory management, which reduces the
project manager’s task to a considerable extent. While surveyors conventionally
use GPS technology to keep track of quantities of materials, drones with cameras
and lasers can achieve it in just minutes. So the business ends up making
massive savings in time and labour costs and also dealing with the challenge of
labour paucity.
Project
management software for simplifying management
Automation in construction projects now goes beyond
handing over the physical tasks to intelligent machines. As project managers
realise the need of
management software to handle sites and labour
effectively, the adoption of these solutions is a norm for firms, regardless of
the size and scale of the projects they work on. Typically, these platforms
serve as a unified destination that managers and stakeholders can use to keep
track of projects. Rather than following complex documents and spreadsheets,
they have everything available on their devices in a single click.
Construction
project management software automates communication as a
single update at one place is visible to the entire team without additional
efforts. When everyone is on the same page, projects are easier to manage, no
matter how large and complex they are. Further, managers can use the software
to keep an eye on aspects such as budgets, costs, quality, and safety
throughout the entire stages of the project.
Automation
of prefabricated construction
Another area where automation is emerging strongly in
the construction
industry is prefabrication. The technology uses an
assembly line model to create the various parts of the building off-site and
brings them together on-site for final installation to complete the project.
The entire process isn’t as simple as it sounds because there is a need to
ensure speed, consistency, and quality so that the final product matches the
expectations and specifications of the client.
With automated prefabrication,
the construction company can make massive savings in materials and labour
costs. There is less wastage as assembly lines can be programmed to use only
the exact amount of materials required and recycle anything that is not used.
Construction projects become sustainable, as well. Most of the project tasks
are done off-site, and only the installation process is left for the labour to
handle, which makes it a reliable solution for worker shortages.
Robotics
for enhancing efficiency
Robotics technology is another
unmissable aspect of construction automation as it lets robots take over the
cumbersome and time-consuming tasks. Since these are used for repetitive jobs
that do not require human intelligence, firms can leave them to programmed
robots without having to worry about errors. Modern robots are getting smarter
with Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning technologies that make them
capable of handling more complex jobs as well.
Automated robots have a huge
potential for enhancing productivity in the construction segment. Leading
companies are finding innovative ways to use them for completing simple and
repetitive tasks quickly and efficiently. For example, some companies are using
mason robots for laying over double the bricks in half the time as compared to
their human counterparts. They are also being used for other processes like
mixing concrete, laying the cement, polishing floors, and removing surface
water.
IoT
sensors for collecting and processing data
Data is the fuel for businesses
across all domains, and the construction industry is also not an exception.
High-tech firms are digitising their projects with the use of IoT sensors on
their devices and equipment. They automate machines, equipment, and robotics
according to the needs and preferences of the projects. These devices also
collect and provide real-time readings of the key parameters such as location,
pressure, temperature, and other conditions.
IoT-powered sensors let
operators run machines and devices remotely by transmitting signals to trigger
specific actions. Welding and fabrication machines are the most common example
of the ones fitted with sensors. IoT technology can also be coupled with
wearable devices for the labour so that managers can track their location and
work in real-time, regardless of where they are on the construction site.
Virtual
Reality for automation of planning and training
Among the technology solutions
that are fast making a difference to construction, automation is Virtual
Reality. VR systems empower construction companies with the simulation that
lets them plan projects effectively even before laying down a single brick. The
innovative technology creates a realistic environment that gives a life-like
image of the building even when it isn’t started. Designers and managers can
consider different variants and decide the ones that match the specifications
perfectly.
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They can even share these
virtual models with the clients and stakeholders to get useful insights for
better planning of the project. With such clear imagery, the chances of errors
and misunderstandings on the final product are reduced to the minimum. VR-based
training is another form of automation coming to the forefront in the industry.
These applications let firms train the workforce more effectively, all without
spending a fortune on hiring experts. Rather, these are a long-term investment
they have to build or buy for once and can use it throughout the lifespan of
the company.
Seeing
the big picture- The impact of automation on the construction industry
Over the years, productivity in
the industry has increased only at a slow pace, but automation opens immense
opportunities to get things on track. It becomes vital to know these
opportunities and embrace them on time as well. Primarily, there are three
opportunities for automation that businesses in the industry can leverage:
·
Automation of physical tasks on-site
such as machines paving roads, automated diggers for excavating sites, and
robots laying bricks
·
Automation of modular construction in
the form of use of prefabrication techniques and 3-D printing of components
·
Automation of project planning,
design and management processes with construction
project management software
For a business to embrace automation
effectively and get the best that technology offers, there is a need to focus
on all three aspects. Picking one and missing out on the others may make the
entire investment worthless. It makes sense to follow a holistic approach, even
if it translates into a massive investment for a business. Also, early adoption
is the key to sustainability and success because the industry is highly
competitive. Missing out on automation elevates the risk of falling behind the
competitors and losing the edge.
Summary
Even as the construction
industry gets bigger in terms of market capitalisation, it lags in terms of
productivity. Automation is a technology that opens the opportunity to reach
the next level of productivity. Here are some instances of technology being used
by businesses.