Displaying items by tag: Artificial intelligence

The way we design and build is changing with the help of artificial intelligence (AI). 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.

Together with Oasys, we evaluate the construction business and how they are using AI in order to finish projects that contain fewer errors.

Using AI in construction

With the construction industry growing, AI has been introduced to help take the load. Artificial intelligence and robotics are split into four groups:

AI in the planning process

Construction plans happen at the start of any project, and AI is taking part in this process. 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 was previously achieved with a few weeks’ work, but now can be accomplished within a day using this new technology and building design software. This helps to save firms both time and money in the form of labour.

Admin artificial intelligence

Control of projects and tasks is conventionally managed by humans, but AI is slowly taking over this role. 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 of its own accord.

Artificial intelligence direction

New artificial intelligence is making an impact on businesses around the world. In the construction industry, it will even direct engineers on how to complete a task. 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 to hand, engineers can make crucial decisions based on evidence that they may not have previously had at their disposal.

Autonomous technology is making waves in the construction industry, it will soon help workers remain on the ground when vehicles are operating at heights. Using sensors and GPS, the vehicle can calculate the safest route.

AI in the building

Although AI helps to structure the physical building, it can also be present inside the building. In the US alone, $1.5 billion was invested in 2016 by companies looking to capitalise on this growing market.

Wynn Hotel in Las Vegas said that by 2018, it wants all rooms within its hotel to have Amazon Echo to improve customers’ stays. 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.

Obtaining building information

Building Information Modelling will help store information about the building, right from the very start of its construction. This will be a good reference point to look back on if anything was to go wrong with the building in the future or just for new changes that may be made. It will also store management decisions throughout the building and keep record or ‘minutes’ of any meetings.

Virtual assistants (VAs) will make a great companion for a conversation, as well as providing any information a person may need. By combining VAs alongside NFC (near-field communication), VAs can receive additional information 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 is and how it can be fixed.

Saving time and money is essential and through the use of virtual assistants and artificial intelligence, those in the construction industry can achieve this. As the future of AI becomes more of a reality within construction, only time will tell how reliant on intelligent machines we will have to be in order to construct innovative building designs.