Technological advancement is greatly impacting wide industrial verticals like Healthcare, Banking sectors, transport, etc. This technological advancement is making an extensive digital transformation in the construction industry as well. Today, there are several instances where technology is bringing a revolution in this industry.
Technologies like Artificial Intelligence (AI) to the Internet of Things (IoT) are reshaping the construction industry by driving away long-standing inefficacies, and low productivity.
In this blog, we shall discuss how IoT technology is transforming in the construction industry.
Contents
Applications of IoT in the Construction industry
- Administrative control and management: Having accurate and insightful data helps in decision making and reduces overall paperwork.
- Site Monitoring: All the construction manager can have real-time insights about the employees and machines. This aids in real-time monitoring and supervision at all construction sites.
- Machine Control: IoT sensors can navigate the machines with great accuracy and minimal human interaction.
- Construction Safety: By combining other technologies such as AI (Artificial Intelligence) with IoT, safety measures can be taken to further enhance. This is for the assurance of the safety and health of the workers.
- Fleet Management: IoT fleet management is majorly used for the optimization of transit routes and maintaining vehicles.
- Project Management: IoT devices can facilitate cost-cutting by site monitoring techniques and budget-friendly projects.
IoT in the Construction Benefits
As earlier defined, if IoT is the connection of the devices then it is already occurring in the construction industry. Various construction sites have installed internet connectivity to enable connected worksite. Connected devices at the worksite provide several benefits to the employees, projects, and companies.
1. Improved worker Safety
Today, everyone has a smartphone in his/her pocket. But nowadays construction sites have passed strict rules on phone usage to maintain worker safety.
However, many employees have installed safety applications like a Fall detector which runs in the background while the phone is in use. The same functionalities are there in the wearable device and notify the setlist of contacts at the time of fall.
There are plenty of wearables which improve safety measures. Some are the work wears and some are protective equipment like vests, boots, and helmets. These functions in the same way to monitor the vitals to avoid an accident before it happens.
2. Real-time reporting
With the data captured at the construction sites, everyone working in the office benefits from the on-going process reporting. In a way, the stakeholder receives the progress reports which includes electronic daily reports, drone footage, or internet-connected video cameras.
This real-time report helps stakeholders to know where the project is and what adjustments are mandatory to keep the project on track.
3. Automated workflow
IoT in construction delivers automated workflows to prevent delays and keep the projects work forward. It helps in ordering materials and servicing equipment, sensors, and RFID tags on the materials and equipment. Moreover, it also detects the low-inventory and notifies the same.
In the same way, the sensors help to prevent issues beforehand with the proper maintenance. However,
4. Overall reduction in expenditure
Having access to all kinds of information about sites and labour work hours, IoT helps in reducing overall administrative expenses. The reporting also accelerates the site development as decision making is faster and insightful.
5. Waste management
Focus on carbon footprints of the construction process has increased the importance of Waste management. Every company has given due importance to manage waste properly and as per the guidelines by Govt bodies. IoT helps in managing waste at construction sites as companies can now monitor sites real-time.
Conclusion:
It is widely accepted that IoT in the construction industry can revolutionize and revitalize the overall business and can streamline the processes helping the management to better supervise and monitor the construction activities.
However, this would refocus the requirements of jobs around the IoT technology for maintenance and support and custom construction software development requirements would boost up.
