AI-Backed Robots Optimize Construction Processes in Seattle's Belltown Neighborhood
A new residential tower with AI-powered robots that optimize the building process is being constructed in Seattle's Belltown neighborhood. This innovative development method significantly accelerates the construction process and enhances worker safety.
(Photo : Pexels/ThisIsEngineering)
Building Residential Tower With AI-Powered Robots
Nextera Robotics, a business based in Boston, provides two autonomous robots to Skanska, a project development and building firm with offices in Seattle. These robots are being used to assist with the construction of Kaye, a 31-story residential complex. As a result, cutting-edge construction machinery will go around the site, take several photographs, and then upload all of the information to a platform that utilizes artificial intelligence. This will cause the project to move forward more quickly while enhancing safety.
The Didge robots provide architects and Skanska's development team with ongoing construction site surveillance by utilizing 360-degree, high-resolution photography. According to Stewart Germain, the national director of innovation for Skanska, located in Seattle, if a human captured these photographs, it would take 40 hours weekly. As mentioned, photography facilitates an immediate benefit for the project team. When the autonomous bots leave the charger, they can roam the facility upstairs and take high-definition photographs from the same spot each time.
Nextera's artificial intelligence-powered system is loaded with photography to assist in addressing three more problems. These concerns include monitoring the development of a build, quality assurance and quality control, and compliance with job site safety regulations.
Nevertheless, by comparing Didge's photographs to Skanska's building information modeling (BIM), a digital representation of a project's physical designs, the system can ensure that things are constructed in the appropriate locations throughout the project. It is reportedly beneficial for a multinational corporation that has design architects working on a project in Seattle who are located in New York City.
On the other hand, when it comes to safety, Nextera's artificial intelligence examines the imagery to look for violations of proper job site conduct and ensure that regulations are followed. The software can detect worker negligence in areas such as improper ladder usage, lack of gloves, exposed floor holes, and inadequate illumination. Such occurrences are flagged in a direct report to safety personnel.
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AI-Powered Robots Enhance Construction Safety
Completing construction projects by robots powered by artificial intelligence can be accomplished more quickly and safely than by humans. In addition to addressing difficulties with a national housing shortage and a skilled labor shortage, this intriguing concept can lessen the risk associated with a high-hazard business. Prioritizing safety, the robots have been equipped with intelligent sensors. When they detect that a human worker has entered a hazardous area, they immediately cease the work to prevent the worker from getting hurt.
Also, cameras powered by artificial intelligence can identify when workers walk into dangerous locations, such as places under heavy hoisting cranes. Accordingly, after the minimum requirement for triggering an alert has been met, immediate notification is sent to the personnel. These devices' capabilities increase the safety of construction sites. A further illustration of this is when a worker approaches the robot, and it immediately ceases operation. They can reportedly work in locations that are hazardous to human beings.
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