Drone over construction site. video surveillance or industrial inspection
CCTV security camera video system for safety installed outside the warehouse of factory building. Closed circuit television . CCTV electronic security system. Video surveillance camera technology.
- Between 2020 and 2022, $50 billion was invested in the development of new technologies in construction.
- AI has already contributed to improving performance in many business areas, from safety to productivity.
- Experiments include the potential application of AI to TBMs, the mechanical moles that dig tunnels.
- Early experiments of new automatic tracking techniques for work progress on construction sites.
With the application of artificial intelligence (AI), experimentation knows no bounds. Even in the construction sector, today at the center of a profound transformative process. According to international estimates, between 2020 and 2022, $50 billion was invested in digital technologies for infrastructure, an 85% increase compared to the previous three years. This data demonstrates the growing awareness of the usefulness of digital solutions to enhance various aspects of this sector, from project efficiency to safety on the construction sites, from productivity to cost reduction, as well as contract management and data analysis.
AI experimentation is becoming increasingly prevalent in this scenario. In the construction market, for example, various applications have been developed for design and planning activities; for creating algorithms that analyze KPIs during building phases; for developing more effective energy solutions to reduce the environmental impact of projects; for predictive maintenance; and to improve worker safety.
4.0 Worksites within large construction sites
In large construction sites, among the most surprising AI solutions currently in the early stages of experimentation is the complete automation of heavy machinery: think autonomous excavators with periodic supervision by specialized technicians. These are machines programmed to perform specific types of operations without the need for an operator on board. In this case, the technician intervenes only to monitor its operation.
There is also significant focus on experiments with artificial intelligence applied to TBMs, which can further optimize the execution of tunnel excavation while simultaneously increasing safety and the precision of operations performed by mechanical moles.
There are also early experiments aimed at achieving automatic tracking of work progress on construction sites. These solutions generally involve the use of autonomous rovers or drones, which, through computer vision, sensors, and other disruptive technologies, are able to monitor the site’s operational processes. The data collected is then compared with previously gathered information and the corresponding BIM model to identify the actual measurement delta. For the development and implementation of AI solutions, in general, potential use cases are identified, and after appropriate screening and prioritization, the industrial research and experimental development project is set up.
New Experiments within Webuild’s Innovation Center
The Webuild Innovation Center plays a strategic role in the AI experiments the company is working on. The center was established to conceive, design, and experiment with new products and construction and management processes for Webuild construction sites worldwide. This new hub is a center of excellence that drives innovation through the use of disruptive technologies, including AI applications. The center’s activities are carried out through three internal structures which are the Digital Lab for developing digital technologies; the Innovation Hub, which identifies and coordinates product innovations; and R&D for Bidding and Engineering, which follows the creation and implementation of new construction methods and the use of new materials.
