Contractors are realizing the significance of Internet of Things (IoT), in enhancing efficiency in the construction industry.
Benefits of IoT include reducing or eliminating downtime and managing the cost of fuel. Most importantly, with IoT, project managers can meet, and indeed exceed, the expectations of the clients. Here are 4 ways though which IoT technology can boost the construction industry in 2022.
Traffic Cones In The Work Zone
A traffic cone is mainly used as a tool of traffic control. They are durable, portable, and brightly colored. They are mostly used in crowded areas such as the streets. They were first used in 1958 in the UK. Since then, they have gained popularity in many countries.
There are various benefits of traffic cones. As stated earlier, the traffic cones are used in controlling traffic.
Traffic cones are also used in order to warn the pedestrian on the need to walk with caution. Traffic comes are also used in the case of a traffic accident or when the road is under construction.
However, construction companies should note that traffic cones can be prone to being stolen. Thus, if the construction project is located in a place with high traffic, then the management should envision this problem early enough.
Building Information Modeling (BIM)
The construction industry has many players in a particular project. These include engineers,real estate developers, contractors, manufacturers, and architects. BIM is aprocess which ensures that the planning and construction of projects is notonly efficient but also collaborative.
Data is availed which allows propertymanagers, municipalities, and governments to make an informed decision. In thisgroup, the architects use BIM the most.
Oneof the benefits of BIM is that it allows consistency throughout the project. Thecomponents of the BIM model are intelligent and have stored data.
Digitalinformation is created and managed in order to build tunnels, railway, andridges. The platform provides a reliableand an authoritative source of information. In connection to this, duplicationand mistakes in the project process are avoided.
Wearables
Employeesworking in the construction industry have a high likelihood of fatigue andexposure to injury.
The management of a construction industry can make use ofwearables in order to track the level of fatigue or sleep among the employeesand offer the appropriate intervention before things get wrong. Employees are encouragedto take a break in order to divert possible injury.
XOEye Technologies offers smart glasses which makes it faster to make a decision. The system allows one to call any office and present the reality on the field. Another example of an effective wearable in the construction industry is the Spot-R\r. In case one falls when wearing Spot-R\r, the safety supervisor is alerted for appropriate intervention.
Atthe moment, wearables are not commonly used in the construction industry.However, professionals in IoT predict that they are going to command morepopularity in the near future. Thus, construction companies should positionthemselves to exploit the advantages that come with this new trend.
Robotics
Roboticsare high-tech machines which are used to perform tasks in various fieldsincluding the construction industry.
Robots play a critical role in ensuringthat the construction project follows the recommended schedule, and thus saveon time and cost.
Unlike human beings, robots can offer better performance withoutgetting bored or tired. It is not uncommon to find robots being used in the processof fabrication. Some robots are designed to carry a heavy weight, somethingthat an employee would find difficult to do.
Closelyconnected to this is the opportunity to make use of collaborative robots. Theseare otherwise known as cobots. Cobots come with a set of advantages. Forinstance, cobots are not fixed, and thus, they have a higher rate of mobility.
Conclusion
Whereasit is not easy to determine to what extent IoT is going to shape theconstruction industry, IoT will be worth watching out in 2022.
Constructioncompanies are going to look for more ways of reducing the cost overhead and attaininga competitive edge. Overall, IoT reduces the cost of projects and offersoptimal efficiency.