Automation in the construction industry

he construction industry over the years have suffered a shortage of manpower. This has been a result of the existing repetitive cumbersome tasks that not only exposes the workers to health effects, but at times may result in loss of life. In the regions such as the US and UK there has been an inherent shortage of manpower leading to the disadvantages of monopoly from the few existing ones.

The introduction of automation and Artificial intelligence has immensely revolutionized the construction industry. Firstly, it has reduced the production costs, lowering the budget required for a given structure as compared to the former periods that it entirely depended on the effort of human labor. 

Automation has as well shortened the time it takes for a project to be complete. Initially, the records used to be noted in paperwork and documents, as a result, retrieving information was cumbersome and costly. The use of the “big data” technique has been efficient in information tracing. For instance, it used to take at least three days to retrieve information about a single plumbing fix done in a structure, with the introduction of automation, just a few clicks on a button and the information is with you.

Arguments of anthropogenic origin often talk of automation as a cause of unemployment. However, this has not been the case. It has, on the other hand, enhanced the construction industry by supplementing the available manpower within the economy.

For instance, the riskiest undertakings within the construction industry that involves dangerous gases as well as the use of radioactive substances can be done by the use of automated machines. This has the advantage of ensuring that safety within the construction industry is given the preference, as it leaves the less risky undertakings for the involvement of manpower.

"Remote sensing through the use of drones has highly reduced time spent on the inspection processes, as well has reduced the cost on the side of the construction manager and engineers." - Tonny Oketch

Monitoring the activities within the construction site can be easily achieved by the use of drones controlled remotely. This records the real-time operations and transmits it to the right personnel who in turn, utilize it in the decision-making process.

Within the fabrication and manufacturing sectors in the construction industry, automation has enhanced the accuracy of the final products. This is because the machines once programmed and tested for the desired end product, always function efficiently unless a breakdown is experienced, unlike the human efforts that are prone to the variations within the production.

The operations that involved the intensive design and cumbersome freehand sketches and were prone to numerous mistakes have currently been replaced by the use of computer software. The click of a button initiates the design process, and the computer is capable of handling the most complex designs that may exist.

This, however, has not rendered the engineers and architects jobless. It can arguably be considered to have enhanced their operations by increasing their accuracy and precision and as well, reducing the workload for the specific task.

The introduction of self-driving machines has enhanced operations in risky environments. For instance, the demolition of buildings often exposes people to life risks of a building falling on them. With machine learning and artificial intelligence, self-driving excavators have been introduced which in turn, performs the demolition of structures without human onsite involvement.

The hazards associated with the demolition process are eliminated. The equipment is often monitored remotely, or rather, left to perform the whole operation after an exhaustive machine learning process is established in it.

The initial cost of the installation of new equipment, machines, and robotics that enhances the automation process has often scared contractors. Besides, the lack of skilled personnel to ensure their maintenance and repair in case of breakdown has led to the conventional adoption of human effort in the process. However, with the changing time, these machines have become easy to use, and more skilled manpower who needs just a little training on the user manual can ensure that the machines are utilized efficiently. 

Automation has been a great turn-key for unskilled labor in the construction industry. There are many instances where the desired project by the client cannot be easily achieved due to scarcity of skilled personnel. Besides, they might be unrealistically expensive rendering the venture unattainable.

With the introduction of automation within the construction industry, most of the previously considered to be unattainable tasks can be afforded quite comfortably for the machines' needs on power and maintenance once purchased. 

Automation has as well enabled the client’s involvement in the design process. With the introduction of automation, the clients can be present as the design process is being carried out, unlike the previous hand-done processes that just required the client’s instructions and all the work left to the engineers and architects.

The building information systems have enhanced the design process. Modifications on a project can quite comfortably be done on computer software, unlike the former documentation methods that led to dirty works on a sheet of paper.

Analyzing the site conditions has as well been enhanced through the automation process. Drones can be sent to the sites that are to be investigated to take photographs for the details such as the topography and the geotechnical conditions. These are then analyzed and appropriate information obtained for the decision-making process on the kind of structure to be installed in the region. 

It can be reasonable to conclude that the introduction of automation in the construction industry has had many benefits to the sector and the economy at large. It has, however, not been embraced fully within the sector; besides, its use has been unevenly distributed. For the sake of the startup companies, forming joint ventures can be the most appropriate decision to make for the purchase of the automation machines.

Also, they can consider the option of hiring from established firms, this will save them the installation fee required for the commencing of their operations.