4 minute read
Smart Construction Technology
By: Sarang Vengurlekar
In my previous articles I have always touched on automation and how it will assist us in coming years. Taking one step forward let’s look at how technology will assist in building our homes or offices. It is simply known as Smart Construction Technology.
There are a variety of devices used during construction, we are not just talking about tools such as drills, circular saws, nail guns but we are talking about the newer generation of tools. Let’s rewind by 100 years where there were no power tools therefore all the work used to be done manually by using hand drills, timber saws, hack saws, using shovels to dig holes, hammers to drive in nails etc. Then came the revolution of power tools which stayed for several decades. Looking at today we are now at the brink of another revolution which will be smarter, more accurate, economical, and quicker.
Construction Technology has many aspects which includes large robotic machinery which is controlled by a software, a collection of tools that are innovative and fully automated equipment. 3D printing has been the latest trend and there are companies who are trying to perfect the building of homes using 3D printing. The only difference is that we use plastic strings to print 3D components and these large 3D printers use concrete to pour with perfection. A typical 3D printed home can be built in 48 hours. That is incredible and in terms of money savings it only costs 50% of the traditional home building costs, other benefits are lesser wastage of material and imperfection due to lower skillset workers.
Also in the future you will no longer need to go and view the display homes as this will be possible by using a VR Wearable headset technology as you walk through the home without even setting foot outside of your current location. VR simulators have been used in many other areas such as training pilot’s doctors and even in the defence force, but this technology is now readily available for the general public.
AR is another technology which will allow you to view your home without even having the real physical product such as viewing how the tiles will look in your current home, or how would the bed colour fit with your general room décor etc.
Let’s look at the technology used by Construction workers, they are now fitted with smart clothing that can detect their body temperature, hear rate and any signs of dehydration. This enabled them to be alerted
Picture Coutesy: Digitalinstalls.com.au
when they are at risk and may cause injury to themselves. These smart clothing also looks for and monitor the employees from fatigue or if the employees are intoxicated or are under the influence of narcotics. There are many ways these can be useful.
The smart construction company also deploy site sensors across the whole site to monitor any hazards and to set boundaries to alert unsafe areas. Data from sensors are collected regularly to ensure the workers are safe and stay compliant.
Drones are another way construction company workers no longer need to climb to insane heights just to check the block. They can now simply use drones to view and draw perimeters simply by using a remote control. They are also used as a monitor for employees whilst working at heights at construction site for multi-level dwelling. The most useful job of a drones is to reach locations which are extremely dangerous for construction workers such as bridge over waterways.
As mentioned earlier robots are helping hand with repetitive work such as brick laying. There are no human factors that can affect a robot such as getting tired or taking breaks etc. The idea is not to replace a construction worker but to provide them with an aid to increase productivity along with quality.
Companies are now researching and investing more money in Information Technology to be able to gain competitive advantage over the construction companies who simply cannot afford the high-end technology gear. Construction companies who do not invest will soon be out of business.
I hope this article has provided enough insight about how our construction may look in the future which is not too far away as other countries have already started this trend.
Figure 4. www.worldconstructiontoday.com Figure 3. www.smartbusiness.telstra.com.au
This is the final article for Year 2021 and I would like to wish all my readers a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. I hope that I will come back with more interesting articles in 2022 as it has always been my pleasure to keep my readers engaged with technology developments.
