Faced with challenges like labour shortage and weak productivity, construction firms have opted for automation, also known as robotic automation, to combat the talent shortage and falling productivity levels. With this, Megan Ray Nichols believes there will be many new opportunities opening, particularly in intelligent machine operation and maintenance solutions.

 

Over the last few years, the construction industry has faced some troubling challenges, mainly due to a labour shortage. Many other problems plague the field, including weak productivity and growth, material shortages and more.

 

As such, construction firms must adopt innovative methods for dealing with everyday problems. One of the more prominent strategies used to combat the talent shortage and falling productivity levels is automation, also known as robotic automation. But the industry is leveraging the technology in unique and exciting ways.

 

The terms “automation” and “robotic automation” elicit the idea of modular equipment, like something you might expect to find in manufacturing facilities. Pneumatic robot arms come to mind. In reality, these kinds of solutions do exist - and are in use - but the construction industry is seeing more diverse developments. Think drones and UAVs for surveys, 3D printers for automated assembly and smart, remotely operated construction equipment.

 

Automation will significantly uproot the construction industry, taking away some jobs and opportunities, but presenting just as many in return - if not more.

 

Automation technology advancements in construction

A more generalised focus for automation hardware and solutions is to improve productivity and output. But the technologies do provide many additional benefits such as cost and operational expense savings, better products and services and increased uptime.

 

As for how the industry is using them, it varies depending on the task and requirements. Aerial drones and UAVs, for instance, have become invaluable in surveying worksites and conducting more precise inspections. They not only speed up processes, but they also make the outcome much more reliable. Using this tech, a project that would take days and weeks for a conventional inspection team to complete can now go from start to finish in a matter of hours. Drone surveillance equipment is especially useful for expansive properties - mega-projects like shopping malls or skyscrapers.

 

Another innovative technology is 3D printing, which can quickly and cheaply fabricate components, segments and even entire buildings. 3D printers work with a wide variety of materials, from wood and steel to concrete. Better yet, it's possible to use the printers on- or off-site. The printers can travel from one project site to the next. Alternatively, prefabricated parts get printed off-site, transported and assembled at ground zero. SAM, or semi-automated mason, is a robotic printer that can lay bricks in a commercial setting up to five times faster than human laborers.

 

Which brings us to the idea of autonomous and truly “smart” construction equipment. We can modernise everything from forklifts to huge cranes this way. Not only do they provide remote operation controls — from something like a tablet or smartphone — but they also have analytics and smart data systems akin to AI. The software will offer just as much support as the hardware, helping ensure 

operations are always moving along safely and efficiently.

 

Komatsu has already launched an intelligent machine service that opens up several frequently used machines to remote controls via GPS and GNSS networks.

 

What does this mean for the job market?

Will all these advanced and autonomous hardware systems put jobs in jeopardy? It’s hard to say at this juncture what’s going to happen. However, there will be many new opportunities opening, particularly in intelligent machine operation and maintenance solutions. Just in the construction technician field alone, experts anticipate job growth through 2022 to grow between 20-25 per cent.

 

Much the same way that construction professionals work alongside these tools and hardware solutions today, they will also benefit from innovative and autonomous developments. It's likely the number of opportunities will exponentially grow from this. Take a smart forklift, for instance. Candidates and employees will need to train on the new equipment, as will maintenance and service crews and potential site managers. A knowledgeable team will need to provide this training, which means the trainers will need to keep up with the current trends and industry updates to provide the best possible educational experience. Already, that’s three different channels where new opportunities are cropping up.

 

How to stay in the know about automation?

The closing question is how existing professionals and prospective industry candidates can keep up with current developments. How can workers stay informed about the new equipment shaping the industry?

 

The best possible strategy is to keep a finger on the pulse of current events. Regularly meet with company leaders and managers to consult on future improvements. What equipments and solutions are they interested in most, and what will they be adopting soon? It’s also smart to watch construction and equipment channels to get an idea of what’s on the horizon. SAM is an excellent example of robotic automation in action, but is it truly attainable? Is it a piece of equipment that will soon be ubiquitous at every job site, for example, or is it nothing more than conceptual?

 

Finally, it’s always a good idea to continue education and training wherever possible. Certified forklift drivers might consider returning to a training program or educational facility to further their knowledge and expertise. Maybe there are new solutions, methods or models to learn about, or perhaps there are new certifications or credits to acquire.All in all, everyone in the industry should honor the concept of continual improvement. Never stop learning and never stop growing — that’s the best way to cement a positive reputation.

 

About the Author:

Megan Ray Nichols is an international STEM (science, engineering, technology and math) writer & blogger. She has built up a name for herself in the last three years by running a blog, "Schooled By Science", and writing for sites like IoT Times and Manufacturing.net. She can be reached on email: nicholsrmegan@gmail.com or https://schooledbyscience.com/