Construction has been around us forever — but the construction industry has come a long way since the days of caves and huts. Now, they use all sorts of tech to make construction tasks easier and smooth while keeping people safe when working, and that’s pretty good. However, the adoption of AI in the construction industry has been on an upward trajectory in recent years.

As of 2020, AI in the construction industry is valued at $466.9 million. And according to Market Research Future, the value of the market is expected to rise to $2512.8 million by 2030.

Whether it’s optimizing work schedules, improving workplace safety, or monitoring construction facilities, AI in construction is already proving its value. Let’s look at how we can leverage Artificial intelligence to make construction more efficient.

Constructing Smart With The Cutting-edge Artificial Intelligence

Suppose a drone hovers over your construction site. After a few moments, your tablet beeps with a series of observations the drone has made. For instance, it tells a laborer in section A is not wearing his helmet. Four of your diggers aren’t working. In section D, a dark patch of the earth suggests waterlogging is taking place. Engineers and architects can then make more informed decisions and optimize the whole design process on behalf of these useful data insights. These insights are the promise of AI in construction and literally changing the whole game for the construction industry.

From design to construction and even maintenance, AI streamlines every aspect of construction. It makes processes faster, more efficient, and cost-effective, helping construction professionals work smarter, not harder.

If you’re in the construction game, it’s worth looking at the following examples of AI in construction and how it could help you achieve your construction goals.

Examples of AI in Construction That Are Revolutionizing the Industry’s Landscape

• Expanded Design Potential

3D modeling undoubtedly has disrupted the construction industry. Considering it as a revolution, it helped the industry move from painstaking pencil drawings to ‘walkable’ designs. It allowed engineers and architects to make more detailed designs, including all angles.

Building information modeling, or BIM, is another way to help construction professionals better design, build, and repair. It speeds up the overall design process using machine learning. It conceptualizes design areas in 3D, including electrical, plumbing, architecture, and mechanical systems.

With 3D models, you can get a sneak peek of what the finished building will look like and how it’ll function. It helps you make smart design choices that can save a ton of money and make maintenance a breeze for the building owners down the line.

• Providing Safer Construction Sites

Construction sites can be super dangerous, with higher injury and death rates than other industries.

Construction workers are killed five times more often than other laborers.

Things like loud noises that lead to hearing loss, heights that increase the risk of falling, and exposure to harmful materials like dust make construction work risky. It can result in sky-high insurance premiums, lower productivity, legal trouble, and lots of employee complaints for employers.

Various construction sites now use computer vision cameras to detect code violations like workers not wearing their required safety gear. However, Wearable sensors like Spot-r help detect the location of your workers and alert you timely if an employee slips or falls. That’s where AI in construction comes in handy — it predicts and prevents accidents and health hazards before they occur.

• Tackling the Labor Shortage

Labor shortage happens more often in the construction industry. It could be due to various factors, for instance, an aging workforce, declining interest in the industry, or a growing economy leading to more job opportunities in other fields. But Artificial intelligence is helping address this challenge in many ways:

• More Productive Jobsites

AI is definitely changing the game in construction management with the introduction of automated vehicles and tools. The construction process is now more efficient and accurate, saving time and preventing human error.

AI-powered construction vehicles such as bulldozers, excavators, and dump trucks can work independently, freeing laborers to focus on other tasks. Furthermore, smart tools like drilling machines, cranes, and concrete mixers can be programmed to carry out specific tasks and even make decisions based on real-time data.

Moreover, AI algorithms can analyze data from construction sites and optimize processes, reducing waste and increasing productivity. It can include tracking worker productivity, monitoring material usage, and analyzing site conditions to minimize downtime.
AI in Construction Management

It’s super important to get a grip on all the data generated during the construction process — from drawing and modeling to building and maintenance. Unfortunately, many construction pros are missing out on the benefits of using all that information. Consequently, tons of valuable data go to waste when it could have been used to improve things.

Besides transforming the design process with available data insights, you can innovate a whole new construction project. Also, AI allows us to take advantage of the most current data from earlier models and structures (buildings) that are already constructed.

• Prevent Overcosting

International research firm IDC surveyed the challenges construction project owners and developers faced. The survey findings reveal that 77% of construction projects were delivered late, while 75% exceeded the estimated budgets.

Despite employing the best finance team, most construction projects get over budget. However, in such situations, AI is your ultimate savior! AI can help prevent over-costing by providing accurate estimations and predictions using data analysis. It can help you avoid unexpected expenses and properly allocate the budget.

But the real magic happens when AI is applied during the construction process. AI algorithms can monitor the project’s progress in real-time and compare it to the budget estimate. Suppose the actual expenses start to exceed the estimate. In that case, AI can quickly identify the root cause and suggest adjustments to avoid overspending. So, by utilizing AI, construction companies can make more informed decisions, stay within budget, and ultimately deliver projects on time and under budget.

• Robotics and AI In Construction

Robotics in the construction sector is taking off — and it has the potential to take off to great heights. These robots are typically autonomous machines capable of automating tasks on construction sites. Now you can retrofit various heavy equipment machines with artificial intelligence to perform duties like a human worker. For example, you can retrofit machinery like bulldozers, compactors, and loaders to perform hauling, digging or bricklaying, etc.

However, drones can do much more than just inspect your site; they can deliver real-time maps and information on what needs to be done. Also, you’ll find industrial robots in warehouses and construction sites where repetitive tasks are required.

Machine Learning Techniques in Construction: Making Every Project a Masterpiece

From planning and design to building and maintenance, machine learning techniques in construction are stirring up the industry by improving efficiency, accuracy, and overall project outcome.

Let’s say a construction company is building a large infrastructure project, like a bridge. With the help of machine learning, they can use predictive maintenance to keep the construction equipment in top shape, reducing the risk of unexpected breakdowns and delays.

Additionally, the company can use project management and ML algorithms to monitor the project’s progress in real time and quickly identify any potential delays. The algorithms can then suggest adjustments to keep the project on track and within budget.

Finally, the company can use ML for quality control by analyzing images and videos of the construction site to ensure that all the materials and workmanship meet the required standards. That’s how machine learning helps construction companies build smarter, more efficient, and more cost-effective projects.

What’s the Future of AI In Construction?

It’s exciting to see the incredible results AI has delivered so far to the construction industry.

As McKinsey said that AI is the next frontier for construction technology, it is now becoming one — the backbone of construction projects, right from design to completion. AI can kick up safety and job security in a dangerous industry that is always looking for skilled workers while bringing in a fresh design revolution. And it’s all legit.

Now is the perfect time to get your construction processes automated. As a leading AI development company, our team prioritizes customizing its expertise to meet your specific needs, as evidenced by our track record of successful business transformations.

Talk to our experts to fully leverage the benefits of Artificial Intelligence in construction through our cutting-edge AI and ML development services.