How Autonomous Robots Are Changing The Construction Industry
Just until recently, the construction industry still strongly relied on many manual labor processes that continue to serve as the basis for a larger series of tasks or operations. However, in today’s technology-driven world, many evolutions in the construction industry can be seen and will continue to progress in the years to come.
We all know that there have been so many changes already to almost every aspect in the construction industry-- from the emergence of various sustainable materials for windows, floors, roofs, even security access doors, and many others, to the improvement of existing processes such as the shift from the traditional manual labor into the use of autonomous vehicles and robots. Certain technologies are now coming or currently being implemented that are shaping (and will still continue to do so)our today’s construction industry.
While manual labor will likely always be a huge component of modern construction, technology has been steadily improving and integrating itself since the first pulleys and power tools. With the help of drones, autonomous vehicles, 3D printing, drones, and exoskeletons are beginning to get the work done in a shorter time. Unfortunately, robots don’t really play a huge role right now whether in residential or commercial construction of renovation-based projects. However, this role is already slowly changing in light of the emergence of the usage of autonomous robots in the industry. Here are five ways that modern and advanced robots are changing construction throughout the coming years.
1. Construction robotics in building walls
This is an example of how construction robotics are revolutionizing the industry. An example is the Hadrian X bricklaying machine from Australia-based FBR Ltd or Fastbrick Robotics. This robot employs an intelligent control system that is aided by CAD in order to calculate the necessary materials and movements for bricklaying. Hadrian can also measure environmental changes, including movement caused by wind or vibrations, in real time. The date is then used for improving precision during the building process.
Other robots that are like Hadrian include SAM100 from Victor, New York-based Construction Robotics that promise to reduce operating costs and waste, while also providing safer work environments and improving productivity. Also, Hadrian can build the walls of a house in just a single day, which is really much faster than conventional methods.
2. No operator is needed for autonomous equipment
Autonomous vehicles are actually already a part of the construction robotics while major automakers and technology companies are working on self-driving cars. Autonomous equipment can now transport materials and supplies. For instance, Volvo, working on its HX2 which is an autonomous and electric load carrier that can move heavy loads without additional input, has no driver cab and uses digital logistics-driven control technology instead. This technology is backed by what is called a “vision system” that can detect humans and obstacles while on the move.
Another company called Built Robotics offers autonomous bulldozers and excavators that have AI guidance systems to direct the equipment to their destinations and ensure that the necessary work is completed safely and accurately too. While autonomous vehicles and construction robotics have a great function, they are not intended to replace manual labor entirely-- they are only meant to augment and enhance efficiency and improve safety as the potential for human error is eliminated.
3. Employing imaging technology
Nowadays, it is common knowledge that construction robotics and drones use sensors such as lidar with Global Positioning System, (GPS) technologies that can provide vital information about a construction worksite. Together with AI, it can also help predict what tasks are required. An example is a small tread-based robot from Doxel Inc. that does exactly that. It assesses and scans the progress of a construction project by inspecting the site and its collected information is then used to detect potential errors and problems early. For an example of its function, it is when the system might point out that there is a ventilation duct that is installed incorrectly. Early detection can allow for proper correction that will help avoid costly revisions.
4. Remotely-operated construction robotics
As one contributor to the industry’s growth, the Internet of Things (IoT), together with additive manufacturing, and digitization is an excellent example. An example of remotely-operated construction robotics is painting drones since they can be controlled via tablet or smartphone via an app, and can also report on the data they gather that’s analyzed in the cloud. Semi-autonomous vehicles can also be integrated with remote-control technology and can be used by project managers to instantly deliver instructions and orders to their workforce.
5. Surveillance, surveying, and inspection
In every construction project, the before, during, and after, require many assessments of the worksite and surrounding area. Supervising workers and securing the site also requires limited surveillance. Construction robotics and drones can help with these tasks. Aerial drones and ground-based robots can survey a worksite and even gather many different types of data, depending on the sensors used while augmented reality and virtual reality can enable the operators to view a realistic and real-time feel of the scene that the drones are seeing.
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