Technology in construction is evolving beyond individual tracking systems.
There can be information regarding the various aspects of the workers, construction tools and equipment, resources like materials and access, areas of operation/storage, etc on the site. The key challenge lies in converting such discrete inputs of data to meaningful contextual operational information.
This is where AIoT, that stands for combination of Artificial Intelligence and Internet of Things, emerges as a considerable technology of interest.
IoT, provider of signals
An IoT layer can bring in necessary data related to identifying, tracing and other aspects regarding the available items.
For a typical operational scenario in the field of construction, the data captured may relate to:
Persons (Personnel)
equipment (vehicles like cranes, excavators etc.)
Tools (spanners, welding machines etc.)
Resources like materials (cement bags, pipes, steels etc.)
vehicles
Storage/Staging areas
work zones
Access points
Work-in-progress
It becomes apparent that merely capturing information like, location of a certain item/resource provides limited information on its actual purpose of being at that place, whether a specific team requires it at the earliest, or whether there’s a delay in progress as a result.
AI, the analytical layer
Artificial intelligence can actually analyze relations amongst the operational data streams collected and provide more insight than what raw data presents.
Let's look at a simplified scenario of a project: Assume there are various work areas. Construction equipment and items need to be relocated between areas. Multiple groups of contractors are involved.
The system can track the items but, it can also analyze it with other data.
It identifies the usage of the equipment against what’s happening in relation with it, resource availability of a certain component at the required location, presence of an anomaly, and what actions need to be taken immediately.
This is the key to a successful use of the technology:
IoT collect data while AI analyzes them
Architectural overview of a construction project's system using AIoT:
The entire architecture using AIoT in a construction setup is designed in multiple layers:
Layer 1- Identification:
The system identifies all resources such as people, materials, equipment and other components of the jobsite.
Layer 2- Location:
The system identifies and tracks the spatial positioning of the resources defined. Its importance cannot be overstated on large scale construction sites which comprise numerous floors, different departments etc.
Layer 3- Operational Context:
Thislayer associates location data to activities related to construction process itself:
- Is the material being delivered to the appropriate construction area?
Is the required resource readily accessible by the working group?
Are unauthorized individuals intruding a high security work zone?
Has the progress matched the planned stage?
Are tools being utilized effectively and at required places?
Layer 4- Analytics:
Finally the analysis is done using AI which leverages machine learning algorithms to extract value and insight from all the collected data across all layers. From tracking data this creates the possibility to actively use information to support construction planning and management rather than just store it.
Importance of context:
Construction as a discipline is unique compared to many fixed industrial setups as it faces dynamic variations. The configuration of the site may evolve and this must be adapted to by technology. Walls are erected, areas can become barricaded and inaccessibility, material stockpiles may fluctuate and shift locations and contractors are frequently rotated between stages or phases of a project.
This dynamism implies the system need to accommodate continuously changing variables. This is particularly true in infra construction as teams might operate across wide and sprawling areas, in locations which span bridges, railways, tunnels, roads, airports and more. Industrial construction poses additional challenges as operations revolve around process related machines and complex plant machinery with stringent guidelines over accessing critical process environments. Also modular construction presents its own distinct workflow since components go through multiple processes like manufacturing, transportation to the site, installation etc.
AIoT Applications in Construction:
Employee Awareness:
Using people tracking, management can ascertain whereabouts of staff at the workplace, different sections and areas of the construction site.
Tool/ Equipment Tracking:
The system helps in quick identification and tracking of movable construction components like equipment, tools and machinery which minimizes effort required by workers, saving precious time during operations.
Material Management:
With the integration of identification chips, organizations get an accurate perspective of the stock of their materials right from their time of delivery till its use in construction. This is specifically important for bulk materials.
Access Management:
Employee data could be linked with access authentication for restricted zones of the workplace. Any violation can be alerted for taking action.
In- progress tracking:
Works being done at the workplace at any given time for specific construction project or part could be tracked using it.
These types of applications certainly are supportive and should not be considered as replacements to construction management systems currently in use.
AIoT and construction technology stack:
This system should not be necessarily substituted for all existing technologies being adopted by construction companies. It could include existing applications such as PM software, BIM, ERP, CMMS etc. Its real power comes when these applications are interlinked with operational data extracted from the real work place in the form of signals.
This process actually renders the actual jobsite much more transparent.
An excellent example to elucidate this extended system integration of AIoT application is the development of the Construction Group by the Aperture Venture Studio, that works with various facets of construction industry for AIoT applications starting from commercial through residential, infra works etc.
The larger concept:
Singular sensor systems are not a solution to future technology requirements in construction projects. It is the combination of a wide array of operational data that is analyzed by the technology which makes its existence meaningful. In a way, it helps construction team convert question 'where is the resource?'
to 'what is occurring, is it important and what is that it implies?'
This is the critical and compelling rationale behind considering AIoT on construction technology. For more info visit: aperturevensturestudio.com
Top comments (0)