Artificial Intelligence is changing the construction industry, and we are just beginning to explore the possibilities. Starting with the design process and ending with a built environment’s decommissioning, AI is playing increasingly vital roles in achieving collaboration and connectivity in construction.
AI, specifically the machine learning subset, is valuable because as data accumulates over time, the machine or IT center gets smarter. The more it understands, the more insight it can offer and the better it can react, interact, and adapt.
AI is intended to work much like our cognitive processes. For example, machines can now problem solve, comprehend natural language, and see patterns. These abilities are coming into play in more and more areas of the construction industry.
AI Works from the Ground up.
During the design process, AI can help create the ideal space for the unique needs of a building’s prospective occupants. It can pinpoint potential safety issues, identify omissions in the design, and effortlessly route wiring, cables, and plumbing.
Machine learning software can parse data from multiple BIMs and provide clash detection. It can then suggest alternate designs to solve the problem.
Once a project is underway, AI plays new roles. For example, AI-equipped robots are used in the building industry. They can constantly move about in predescribed grids to monitor construction sites, providing insight on work progression, productivity, safety, and more.
AI can learn from data collected from a variety of sources on a construction site, such as drones, robots, surveillance cameras, sensors, BIMs, cell phones, and other devices.
Such innovations enable remote oversight and collaboration while viewing real-time data, and it makes it possible to keep multiple sites safe and productive at the same time.
Digital twins that employ AI and machine learning are proving invaluable to the construction industry. An asset’s virtual twin can help analyze processes, maximize productivity, assess risk, monitor operations and volumetrics, and optimize performance on a job site.
AI’s Role in Smart Buildings
As buildings are completed and systems brought online, AI begins to play other valuable roles. Smart buildings use AI in several ways.
All of a smart building’s systems, such as HVAC, plumbing, fire suppression, cables, security alarms, and electric and gas lines, are equipped with sensors and devices which feed real-time data into a single IT center.
AI studies the behavior of the systems it monitors and learns what is normal. As AI monitors equipment performance, it can predict maintenance. Any deviation from normal operation triggers a red flag, raising an alert before a small aberration becomes a costly problem. Where safety is an issue, AI can also be automated to react to a crisis in a preordained manner–such as shutting off natural gas or electricity flow. It can also respond independently.
In addition, smart buildings make human comfort and safety a priority. Environmental sensors produce a constant stream of data that AI monitors, registering temperature, airflow, humidity, and human density. As a room fills up with people, the building automatically adjusts environmental controls for maximum comfort.
To provide added health benefits, smart buildings can be equipped to automatically disinfect a space once people have left it. This can be invaluable in reducing the spread of disease, reducing absenteeism in the process.
Energy efficiency increases significantly in smart buildings. AI knows when a building is empty and raises or lowers temperature accordingly, turns off lights, and activates shades.
Employ AI on Your Next Construction Project
Darling Geomatics is a leader in construction technology, including digital twins, as-builts, BIMs, 3D construction verification, and more. Explore how AI could be helping you maximize productivity, save money, and reduce risk; talk to the experts. Contact Darling Geomatics to learn more about the cutting edge technology that is revolutionizing design and construction.
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