AI in Construction: An Overview of Resources and Tools
Updated: Oct 10, 2024
As the construction industry faces increasing pressure for speed and safety, AI is stepping up as a powerful tool. Sure, there’s hesitation—understandable when new tech feels like uncharted territory. But as with most innovations, the initial resistance fades, and soon, the benefits speak for themselves.
It’s becoming clear: AI isn’t just a possibility in construction—it’s the future. The real question is, how can we make it simple? Let's break it down.
How AI in Construction is Revolutionizing the Field
AI is ushering in a new era for small construction businesses, transforming the way they operate and compete. By integrating AI technologies, these businesses are able to streamline their workflows, enhance project management, and improve overall efficiency. AI in construction is beginning to automate routine tasks, allowing construction professionals to focus on more strategic aspects of their projects. And everyday, the real-world applications are convincing construction professionals that the future is AI-friendly.
AI is also playing a critical role in enhancing safety and risk management on construction sites. Advanced AI systems can analyze vast amounts of data to predict potential hazards and ensure compliance with safety regulations. This proactive approach to safety reduces the likelihood of accidents and minimizes downtime, ultimately leading to cost savings and a safer working environment.
As AI continues to evolve, its impact on small construction businesses is expected to grow, offering new opportunities for innovation and growth in the industry.
Resources and Tools for Construction Professionals
What kinds of resources and tools are out there? There is more than you might think! Compared to other industries, you might find that AI in construction work and management has grown by leaps and bounds, especially in the past 5 years. Here is an overview of many of the AI technologies that are available now.
OpenSpace
OpenSpace is construction software designed to streamline project management and enhance site documentation. By leveraging 360° reality capture, OpenSpace allows users to effortlessly document their job sites. Users can attach a camera, tap record in the app, and walk the site as usual, with the software automatically mapping photos to the project plans. This results in a comprehensive, as-built record of the construction process from pre construction to handover.
OpenSpace utilizes AI technology to transform the way construction sites are monitored and managed. The AI-powered Vision Engine processes the captured images, mapping them to floor plans and creating an objective record of progress.
Procore
Procore is construction management software designed to connect all stakeholders in a construction project, from contractors and project managers to property owners and subcontractors. This cloud-based platform offers a wide range of features, including project scheduling, budgeting, expense tracking, inspection oversight, and bid creation tools. Procore’s user-friendly interface and mobile accessibility ensure that teams can collaborate effectively, share documents, and access real-time data from anywhere. By streamlining communication and project management processes, Procore helps construction professionals complete projects on time and within budget.
Procore leverages AI to enhance its functionality and provide deeper insights into construction projects. The software uses AI algorithms to analyze project data, predict potential delays, and identify cost overruns before they occur. This predictive capability allows teams to proactively address issues, improving overall project efficiency and reducing risks. Additionally, Procore’s AI-driven analytics offer valuable insights into project performance, helping teams make informed decisions and optimize their workflows. By integrating AI, Procore not only improves project management but also empowers construction professionals to achieve better outcomes.
ALICE Technologies
ALICE Technologies offers a construction scheduling software designed to optimize and de-risk capital construction projects. The platform enables users to explore numerous scenarios and generate multiple feasible schedules, significantly enhancing project planning and execution.
The AI-powered platform analyzes a project’s complex building requirements and generates highly efficient schedules, adapting them as needed throughout the construction process. This generative construction simulator optimizes resources, fine-tunes timing, and overcomes constraints that human planners might struggle with.
Doxel
Doxel is a construction optimization platform that provides real-time data to enhance project management. By integrating data from Building Information Modeling (BIM), schedules, and budgets, Doxel offers an objective view of a project’s current status and accurate predictions for future activities. This software is designed to track site progress and monitor work quality, helping construction teams stay on schedule and within budget.
Doxel leverages AI to implement enhanced construction management. Using computer vision and machine learning, Doxel’s AI algorithms analyze video footage to track over 80 stages of construction. These algorithms are trained to visually distinguish and identify various construction activities, comparing them against the BIM model and schedule to detect discrepancies.
Buildots
Buildots is a construction management platform that leverages AI to enhance project efficiency and accuracy. The software uses hardhat-mounted 360° cameras to capture visual data from construction sites. This data is then processed to provide real-time insights into project progress, helping teams stay on schedule and within budget. Buildots integrates existing project management tools, attempting to offer a single source of truth for all site activities. By automating progress tracking and providing predictive analytics, Buildots significantly reduces delays and improves resource allocation, making it a valuable tool for construction managers aiming to optimize their workflows.
The AI implementation in Buildots is particularly noteworthy. The platform uses advanced computer vision algorithms to analyze the captured visual data, comparing it against the project’s BIM model and schedule. This allows Buildots to detect discrepancies and potential issues early, providing actionable insights to project managers. The AI-driven approach not only automates the tedious task of progress tracking but also enhances decision-making by offering accurate, data-driven predictions. This tries to help in mitigating risks and ensuring that projects are completed on time and within budget.
Smartvid.io
Smartvid.io is a construction safety platform that uses AI to enhance jobsite safety and efficiency. The software integrates with various construction management tools like Procore (described previously) and Autodesk BIM 360 to collect and analyze visual data from construction sites. By leveraging this data, Smartvid.io provides real-time insights into safety compliance and project progress,.
The AI implementation in Smartvid.io is driven by its proprietary engine, “Vinnie,” which uses computer vision and machine learning to analyze photos and videos from the jobsite. Vinnie can identify potential safety hazards, such as workers not wearing personal protective equipment (PPE) or not adhering to social distancing protocols. By comparing the visual data against safety standards and project schedules, Vinnie provides actionable insights and early warnings about potential issues.
Consider AI Consulting for Your Construction Needs
The integration of AI into construction is revolutionizing the industry by enhancing efficiency, accuracy, and safety needs . As the technology continues to evolve, staying updated with the latest advancements and choosing the right tools becomes crucial for maintaining a competitive edge.
If you’re feeling overwhelmed by the plethora of options available, our AI consulting service is here to help. Quantum Impact specialize in understanding your unique needs and guiding you towards the best solutions tailored for your business.
