The Keys to Construction Industry Success? Automation, AI, and Efficiency

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The construction industry, which is often viewed as traditional and resistant to change, is undergoing a transformative revolution fueled by automation and artificial intelligence (AI). These technologies are reshaping how projects are planned, executed, and managed, leading to unprecedented levels of efficiency, safety, and sustainability.

Here are some of the ways automation and AI are impacting the construction industry. 

Enhanced Project Planning

Traditionally, project planning in construction involved numerous manual processes, leading to inefficiencies and delays. However, with AI-powered software solutions, contractors can now generate accurate project timelines, identify potential risks, and optimize resource allocation. Advanced algorithms analyze vast amounts of data, including historical project performance, weather patterns, and material availability, to create robust construction plans that minimize costs and maximize efficiency.

Burcin Kaplanoglu, head of the Oracle Industry Lab, told Inside Unmanned Systems, “We can upload an RFP document to Oracle Cloud infrastructure. It reads the document and gives you a summary and then it asks you questions. It’s going to show you an early-stage prototype, and it builds a schedule for you. It’s going to be a good template for you to build your own schedule. Now something that would have taken you three days is going to take you maybe two to three hours.

Streamlined Construction Processes

Automation technologies such as drones and robotics are revolutionizing on-site construction processes. Robots equipped with advanced sensors can perform repetitive tasks with precision and consistency, reducing the need for manual labor and minimizing the risk of errors. Drones offer aerial surveys and inspections, providing real-time data on project progress and identifying potential issues before they escalate. These technologies not only accelerate construction timelines but also enhance safety by reducing worker exposure to hazardous environments.

Kaplanoglu said Oracle works with Skydio, a leading drone provider. “We have a great relationship with Skydio. Instead of taking images that humans need to tag, locate, and input, that data goes to our product, and then our Vision Services recognizes the rust and registers it to our work order system. Basically, we automate the whole thing.”

Improved Safety Standards

Safety is a paramount concern in the construction industry, where workers are exposed to various hazards daily. AI-driven technologies, such as wearable devices and IoT sensors, can help detect potential risks and alert supervisors. Furthermore, computer vision systems analyze on-site footage to identify safety violations and enforce compliance with established safety protocols, ultimately reducing the incidence of accidents and injuries.

“Many of the AI tools that we have are completely focusing on offering better awareness for our workers,” said Mani Golparvar, professor of civil engineering, computer science, and technology entrepreneurship at the Grainger College of Engineering/University of Illinois and founder and chief strategy officer of Reconstruct.

Kaplanoglu is optimistic about these emerging technologies in the construction industry. “Machine learning, computer vision and GenAI are all going to have a big impact in the next three to five years.”