The impact made by artificial intelligence on the construction industry

Opportunities are endless with the introduction of artificial intelligence to the construction industry, from the design to the actual build. Artificial intelligence is where machines exhibit their own intelligence through using algorithms to solve problems using inputted data.

By harnessing robotics, construction managers can utilise intelligent machines that can perform routine tasks that were once completed by humans, such as bricklaying. Alternatively, AI systems can collate and organise information for engineers to use within project planning and design implementation.

The relationship between the industry and AI

There are four main factors when it comes to the relationship between the construction industry and the advanced artificial intelligence we now have to help. Together with Oasys, specialists in building design software, we assess the way the construction industry is starting to use AI in order to complete projects that contain fewer errors, less omissions, safer working practices, improved workflows and more on-time worksite completions.

Planning the construction

The first stage where artificial intelligence used is in the construction planning. Autonomous equipment is considered as AI as it is aware of its surroundings and is capable of navigation without human input. In the planning stages, AI machinery can survey a proposed construction site and gather enough information to create 3D maps, blueprints and construction plans.

This is an activity that can now be completed within one day, whereas at one point, it would take weeks. This helps to save firms both time and money in the form of labour.

Managing the project

Not only can AI be used for the planning stages, but also in managing the actual project. For example, workers can input sick days, vacancies and sudden departures into a data system and it will adapt the project accordingly. The AI will understand that the task must be moved to another employee and will do so on its own accord.

Communication on a project

With communication being vital in any sort of project, artificial intelligence can inform engineers on how to act on different projects. For example, if engineers were working on a proposed new bridge, AI systems would be able to advise and present a case for how the bridge should be constructed. This is based on past projects over the last 50 years, as well as verifying pre-existing blueprints for the design and implementation stages of the project. By having this information on hand, engineers can make crucial decisions based on evidence that they may not have previously had at their disposal.

The introduction of autonomous vehicles has allowed workers to remain outside of a vehicle while it works up at great heights. Using sensors and GPS, the vehicle can calculate the safest route.

Artificial intelligence on the inside

Not only can AI be used to create the structure of a building, it can also be used for the inside too. In the US alone, $1.5 billion was invested in 2016 by companies looking to capitalise on this growing market.

Las Vegas hotel Wynn said that they would be implementing the Amazon Echo to every hotel room by the end of this year – improving the customer experience and keeping them up to date with the latest technology. These devices can be used for aspects of the room such as lighting, temperature and any audio-visual equipment contained in the room. These systems can also be used within domestic settings, allowing homeowners to control aspects of their home through voice commands and systems that control all electronic components from one device.

Saving time and money

Keeping information is key and the building information modeling can help you achieve this – from the start of constructing to the potential day of demolition.

Virtual assistants (VAs) will help provide people with information, but will also create a realistic conversation that people can participate in. By combining VAs alongside NFC (near-field communication), VAs can be given additional information to the building itself in real-time from various sensors in the building. For example, if there were structural problems with a building, then VAs could inform engineers specifically where the problem was and how it can be fixed.

With the spotlight on new technology, this can help save those in the construction industry time and money. As the prospect of AI becomes more of a reality within construction, only time will tell how reliant upon intelligent machines we will have to be in order to construct innovative building designs.

Source: Construction Global