Artificial intelligence + construction, the new future of traditional industries
Author：Eve Cole
Update Time：2024-11-22 17:48:01
In today's era, digital technology and traditional industries are increasingly integrated, and smart construction will lead the update and upgrade of the construction and infrastructure fields. Intelligent construction refers to integrating artificial intelligence, the Internet of Things and building information models into the building construction process to improve the safety, quality and sustainability of construction projects, and to reduce costs and increase efficiency throughout the entire construction project process. In recent years, the traditional construction industry has faced many challenges due to increasingly complex design and construction requirements for building projects. Intelligent solutions can help the traditional construction process achieve all-round improvements in efficiency and quality. It can be said that adopting smart construction solutions is not only a choice, but also a necessity - improving efficiency, reducing costs, and promoting the ecological and economic sustainable development of the built environment. 1. Intelligent construction makes buildings safer, more efficient, and more sustainable. Intelligent construction has injected new technological development momentum into the construction industry and will also open a new chapter in the development of innovation, efficiency, and safety in the construction industry. Smart construction technology drives the traditional construction industry into a more advanced technology-driven construction process, which may completely change the way buildings are designed, constructed and maintained. In fact, building information modeling technology has long been applied in the traditional construction field, that is, by creating virtual 3D models to construct all basic information of the building, thereby improving planning and design solutions, strengthening teamwork on various projects, and promoting more coordinated and efficient construction process. IoT integration technology is to install IoT devices and sensors on construction sites to collect real-time data to enhance predictive maintenance, reduce downtime, and improve overall efficiency. This technology also equips the technological expansion of smart construction with systems for energy conservation, waste management and construction safety. The emergence of artificial intelligence and machine learning has further changed the traditional construction industry landscape. The main technologies include: automating project tasks, predicting potential risks, etc. Whether it is an autonomous material transport vehicle or a brick-laying robot, construction robots have become increasingly widely used in the field of smart construction, reducing the risks caused by labor-intensive tasks in the traditional construction industry. Also widely used in the field of smart construction is drone technology. It can take real-time aerial photography and collect images of construction project progress at any time to monitor and identify potential construction safety risks. Digital twin technology takes smart construction to a new level. By creating digital copies of physical buildings, project teams can provide scientific decision-making and digital solutions for building operations based on real-time monitoring, scenario testing, etc. The rapid development of related technologies comes from people's continuous exploration of the sustainability of buildings, especially in the context of responding to the challenges of global climate change. Smart construction uses green technologies and sustainable materials, such as green buildings, energy-saving designs, and new buildings. Materials, etc., have been applied to the forefront of architectural practice. In summary, the dynamic integration of smart construction developments and related technologies paves the way for safer, more efficient and sustainable construction practices. The innovative development of smart construction technology has changed traditional construction methods and brought a series of benefits, such as enhanced safety, improved construction efficiency, and improved sustainability. In terms of safety, smart construction uses various sensors and IoT devices to conduct real-time risk detection and big data analysis to minimize accidents on construction sites. For example, smart wearable devices can monitor the physical condition of frontline workers and send alerts in emergencies to ensure the personal safety of construction workers and construction safety. In terms of efficiency, smart construction effectively shortens project duration with the help of digital tools such as building information models and artificial intelligence software. The digital visualization function of the information model can comprehensively improve early design efficiency and avoid design deviations. In the operation and maintenance stage, the model can continue the construction process information to the operation stage, providing scientific guarantee for the information management of the whole life cycle of the building. Digital twin technology unifies the status and operations of the virtual world and the physical world into the digital information system through real-time data updates, thereby improving the efficiency of real-time information feedback in the virtual world. In terms of sustainability, smart construction has made important contributions to environmental protection through a variety of technological innovations. Technologies such as energy-saving equipment, green building materials and automated waste management systems can significantly reduce environmental impact, effectively protect natural resources and reduce carbon footprints by reducing energy consumption, reducing waste emissions and improving resource utilization efficiency. In addition, the application of innovative technologies such as architectural 3D printing technology and prefabricated construction has also effectively reduced resource waste and improved material utilization. In the author's opinion, compared with traditional construction, intelligent construction solutions have obvious technical advantages and are the fundamental driving force for the future development and transformation of the construction industry. 2. The application value and effectiveness of intelligent construction are highlighting that intelligent construction is a new thing. Although there are not many successful cases, each case is typical. By conducting case studies, we can gain a glimpse of its application value and effectiveness. Edge: The "Edge" located in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, is one of the successful cases of sustainable architecture in the world. It has received certification from the world-famous green building assessment method - the British Building Research Institute environmental assessment method scored it 98.4%. high rating. This is mainly due to the blessing of the building’s full-cycle integrated intelligent technology. The "edge" is equipped with an overall structure of the Internet of Things sensor network, which can intelligently regulate lighting, temperature, etc. based on feedback from corresponding data, optimize energy use, and adjust energy use costs in the workspace. Another core feature of Edge is the development of a smartphone app specific to the building. The application acts as a personal assistant for users, sharing information and providing solutions on workspaces and work schedules. For example, "Edge" can plan the optimal underground garage entrance location for users based on the morning rush hour, and guide users to park in the parking space closest to the work area. "Edge" does not set up fixed employee office areas, but adopts a more flexible approach - the program allocates workspaces based on employees' schedules for the day, and can provide sitting desks, standing desks, independent workspaces, and conference rooms. , balcony seating and other options. When employees have special needs for the workspace, the application will intelligently adjust the space environment through IoT sensors to achieve the light and temperature that employees are satisfied with. The Edge's sustainable architectural design concept makes it one of the most environmentally friendly buildings to achieve outstanding results in reducing its carbon footprint. "Edge" also advocates a new way of working and a concept that uses new information technology to reshape the nature of work and the work space. In terms of improving energy efficiency, the power generated by "edge" solar panels not only exceeds the power used by the building, but can also transmit the remaining power in the opposite direction. The demonstration of this building goes beyond the basic concept of low-carbon environmental protection and is a successful practice in the entire life cycle of intelligent construction. Therefore, "Edge" provides a successful practical case for sustainable innovation in the operation and maintenance phase of intelligent construction. Bosco Verticale: The "Vertical Forest" built in Milan, Italy, was designed by Italian designer Stefano Boeri. It attempts to redefine urban life by integrating new architectural design concepts and intelligent construction technology. The "vertical forest" is a symbiotic ecosystem of buildings and plants, with more than 20,000 species of plants on the facades, including trees, shrubs and perennials. The selection of plant species and their layout are carefully planned, and the plants are reasonably arranged and spaced according to the orientation and height of the building to create the best microclimate conditions. To maintain the sustainability of the vertical forest ecosystem, the design team developed a sophisticated irrigation system using recycled water from the building. This design helps alleviate the urban heat island effect, improve microclimate and save energy. In addition, vegetation provides a natural filter for sunlight and absorbs carbon dioxide and respirable particulates, helping to create a healthier living environment. At its core, the "Vertical Forest" is a smart home automation system that improves the comfort and sustainability of the home - controlling lighting, temperature and ventilation based on the specific needs of residents and current weather conditions. The "Vertical Forest" demonstrates the effectiveness of smart construction in creating a sustainable environment and improving quality of life. It is more than just a building, but more like an evolving ecosystem, explaining how to integrate buildings with various technologies and natural environments, and trying to show the lifestyle of future cities. 3. Intelligent construction still faces many challenges and limitations . It should be noted that although intelligent construction has many advantages, there are also many challenges and limitations. A prominent problem is that the initial investment cost of smart construction is relatively large, which means huge risks for small and medium-sized companies. At the same time, the smart construction process requires the introduction of a large number of advanced hardware equipment and intelligent software, which poses challenges to employees. In addition, regular maintenance costs and software and hardware upgrades may increase the original investment cost and operation and maintenance expenses. Technical conditions are also a major challenge. The development of digitalization in building operations relies heavily on the construction of sound network infrastructure. Any non-systemic failure or cybersecurity breach may result in significant losses. Therefore, ensuring the continuous operation of the system, data integrity and system security has become one of the most challenging tasks. Smart construction technology relies on stable Internet transmission, which has become a major limitation in areas with relatively backward infrastructure. Therefore, the uneven development between regions limits the widespread application of smart construction technology and limits its universal applicability. Another difficulty comes from within the traditional construction industry. The construction industry is a labor-intensive industry, and many construction workers are worried that the widespread application of intelligent construction technology, especially the use of intelligent robots, will affect their jobs. Exclusion from within the construction industry will slow down the further promotion of smart construction technology and lead to a lag in the optimization of related extension technologies. Finally, whether traditional regulatory standards and laws can adapt to smart construction technology is also a real challenge. Smart construction requires the use of technologies such as drones and robots, but existing regulatory standards and regulations may not fully cover these new technologies. In the process of promoting smart construction, various challenges will be encountered, but the trend of continuous advancement of science and technology will not change. Therefore, we should actively think about how to respond to adapt to future development needs. In view of the differences in infrastructure construction in different regions, we can first determine project priorities, focus on developing smart construction projects with investment potential, and provide demonstrations and experience for subsequent projects. When it comes to software and related technology applications, it is recommended to explore open source software and low-cost alternatives to minimize upfront costs. At the same time, to effectively control additional project costs, you can consider outsourcing non-core projects of smart construction to third parties, thereby providing cost-effective alternatives for full-cycle projects. Regarding the resistance from within the industry, the author believes that although the intelligent construction industry has less demand for traditional workers, it still needs a large number of high-quality compound talents with relevant technical skills. Therefore, we should first communicate effectively with practitioners, interpret the reasons for industry development and changes, and provide necessary and comprehensive new skills training so that they can gradually adapt to the impact of new technologies on traditional industries. Second, companies can address skills gaps and talent shortages by partnering with universities or industry associations to develop training. In addition, enterprises are encouraged to carry out internal training and continuing education to ensure that there are a sufficient number of professional talents to support the smooth transformation of the construction industry. In addition, relevant departments should revise laws and regulations to adapt to technological development, especially improve regulations on data and information protection related to smart construction, to ensure public safety and promote the healthy development of technology. The formulation of new regulatory standards for smart construction technologies can be explored, including operational specifications, safety requirements and definition of responsibilities for new technologies such as drones, robots, and unmanned equipment. At the same time, relevant government departments and industry organizations should carry out in-depth cooperation and establish detailed and practical regulatory standards based on international experience and local actual conditions. For example, strict environmental assessment standards can be formulated to require detailed ecological impact assessment before the project is started; specific construction safety regulations can also be established, such as stipulating that construction sites must be equipped with environmental monitoring equipment and construction noise control measures to ensure intelligent Robotic equipment meets environmental protection and safety requirements during the construction process. Comprehensive safety standards and specifications should also be established and improved, covering all aspects of technical design, construction, and maintenance, to ensure safety throughout the entire life cycle of technology applications. In short, intelligent construction is the core direction of the transformation of the construction industry and will become a key driving force for efficient and sustainable development of various construction projects in the future. From a broader perspective, the development of smart construction technology can further change the urban environment and lay the foundation for truly inclusive and sustainable smart city construction.
