“Looking at construction projects today, I do not see much difference in the execution of the work in comparison to 50 years ago,” said John M. Beck, the Chairman of the Canadian construction company Aecon Group.

It’s, in fact, true that the construction sector has been slow to embrace advanced technologies, and that can be attributed to the sophisticated, labor-intensive nature of the industry. But it is also true that construction projects are extremely subject to errors and cost overruns because of the constant need for complete oversight.

And that paves the way for the introduction of new technologies, including computer vision. To that end, this blog discusses the top seven use cases of computer vision in construction for making sites more safe, efficient, profitable, and sustainable.

1. Construction Equipment Tracking

Tracking construction equipment on-site can help uncover all details about assets, automate regular maintenance, and avoid thefts and ghost assets. 

Computer vision uses object detection algorithms to detect construction vehicles and prevent machines from blocking walkways or exits. As such, managers can track the movement of equipment and recognize cranes, excavators, loaders, and bulldozers. This helps construction managers to maintain efficiency and reduce waiting time in specific areas. Plus, it helps them keep a check on unattended objects.

2. Asset Management and Maintenance

Construction firms, big and small, rely heavily on tools, machines, vehicles, and other physical assets. Managing these assets can be very tricky.

An effective asset management system can improve the use of resources, monitor supply chains, reduce wastage, control costs, mitigate loss and theft, and improve equipment maintenance.

With computer vision tools like KamerAI, construction site managers can track the assets’ condition and manage them effectively. These tools alert workers when an asset is starting to wear down and needs to be repaired or replaced. As such, construction managers are always better equipped to stay up-to-date with maintenance.

Besides, AI vision intelligence helps improve the life span of an asset, reduce waste, and avoid expensive interruptions and delays. Regular maintenance also helps meet safety standards and comply with legal requirements.

3. Automated Quality Control

Computer vision uses cameras and sensors to detect material irregularities and enable companies to take corrective actions before a problem goes out of control. This automated quality control helps save time and resources. More profoundly, here’s how computer vision can facilitate automated quality control:

• Using sensors to detect and identify irregularities in the material.
• Checking the consistency of materials.
• Monitoring the color and dimension of the materials.
• Classifying the type of materials. 

4. Inspection with AI Vision

Computer vision helps to automatically inspect personal protective equipment (PPE), construction vehicles, and machines, and detect environmental safety hazards at construction sites.

Since it eliminates the need for manual inspection, construction companies can save a lot of time and, at the same time, ensure consistent and objective inspection results.

5. Read Analog Dials With AI

With image recognition capabilities, one can read dial indicators, pressure gauges, level indicators, temperature gauges, and flow meters. This improves safety because workers no longer have to visit potentially dangerous areas to take a reading.

6. 3D Scanning of Infrastructure

When it comes to executing a civil engineering project, one of the major challenges is the sheer amount of land that needs to be surveyed. 3D scanning helps survey more extensive areas, scan for maintenance projects, and more. With computer vision, one can create as-built models of existing structures, making it easier to renovate and expand existing buildings.

Using point cloud algorithms helps to understand the 3D shape of an object or room and take pictures of an object from different angles. Computer vision applications also combine all the pictures into one 3D image to create a model of an object or analyze the distance between objects. Machine learning capabilities can help estimate distances, angles, and other dimensions to create blueprints and map construction sites. Besides, computer vision can help measure the volume of construction materials, which can further aid in planning and budgeting.

7. Intelligent Workforce Management

Having a proper workforce management strategy in place helps minimize and eliminate pilferage, overlapping of decisions, duplication of work, problems linked to labor grievances, legal disputes, and more — optimizing the team and increasing overall efficiency.

As elucidated above, computer vision can help with this by tracking the movement of workers, vehicles, and equipment on a construction site. Having cameras and sensors installed at key sites can help monitor the workforce and assess the delivery and quality of services provided by subcontractors.

This also paves the way for identifying potential hazards, warning the workers in danger, documenting and directing attention towards high-risk situations, and improving training and instructions.

Furthermore, computer vision contributes to identifying a shortage of human resources and optimizing shifts or redirecting workers to where they are needed.

Ensuring Safety, Efficiency, & Profitability with KamerAI

From object dimensioning to hard hat detection, KamerAI’s computer vision technology equips construction businesses to:

• Increase safety and security on the construction site by monitoring the surroundings of workers at all times.
• Automate the detection of bizarre events and dangerous circumstances, such as people close to heavy construction machinery.
• Ensure that the projects meet quality standards and enforce adherence to policies regarding equipment usage – saving time and money on the safety examination process and ensuring that any issues are identified and rectified as soon as possible.
• Monitor large sites and detect intruders or unauthorized activity.

All in all, KamerAI’s capabilities, including object dimensioning, optical code recognition, hard hat detection, goods alignment, unattended object identification, and perimeter security, help maintain efficiency and safety in a construction site.

The Bottom Line

The use cases of computer vision in construction are vast and vary depending on the needs. With the help of computer vision, construction companies can detect, classify, and manage materials, workers, and vehicles. Moreover, managers can optimize their operations and ensure everyone is safe on the construction site. Connect with us to learn more about how computer vision can benefit your business.