TECHNOLOGY
Rise of the machines
By Kim Kemp
Safety within the civils and construction sectors is being augmented with technology , from ‘ wearables ’ to drones — and more .
In this world of high-tech , everything from the device you hold to your ear every day and the dashboard in your car , to the display on your fridge door reminding you to replenish contents , can be interconnected . The Internet of things ( IoT ) is insidious , ever pervasive , and overarching . The advent of drones that fly to heights unavailable — or unwise — for humans to attempt , ensures that lives remain safe , while delivering faster , more reliable data . Increasingly , technology is ensuring the safety of the workforce through IoT . According to a US report , Construction Technology Trends – 2018 Report , in which 158 construction industry professionals from small to midsize businesses ( SMB ) in North America were questioned about their current technology and software uses , as well as future plans , drones are expected to be commonplace , with 26 % of SMB construction professionals already using or planning to use them by 2020 . The report adds that while drones lead the trend , the construction industry is adopting robots and autonomous equipment at a similar rate to drones , with 24 % of construction industry professionals indicating that they will implement autonomous equipment by 2020 . Often , the reasoning is that control of the construction site is difficult , with accident rates escalating . Thus , an investment in safety directly impacts the positive performance of the sector . According to McKinsey Global Institute , construction remains one of the least digitised industries in the world , while even a fraction of a percentage change in productivity could equate to substantial savings . Fatal injuries in construction rose by 2 % to 924 cases in 2015 — the highest level since 2008 , according to the National Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries in 2015 report by the Bureau of Labour Statistics ( US ).
20 - CEC March 2018
McKinsey Global Institute estimated in a report that the world will need to spend USD57-trillion on infrastructure by 2030 to keep up with global GDP growth ; a substantial market that can benefit from improved safety for its workforce — through technology .
Wearables
Once the domain of professional athletes and sports physiotherapists , wearable technology is now used in construction to make data-driven decisions and assess the way workers are moving , every day , on a micro level . The safety culture and education of workers are gaining more attention from safety managers , through methods for reducing injury and costs , while improving productivity . Verdantix is an independent research and consulting firm from the UK , with a focus on innovative technologies that optimise business operations . In a report on wearables and safety , Verdantix wrote : “ In the industrial space , wearables meant to monitor a person ’ s condition in real time can include bracelets , hats , gloves , industrial hygiene samplers , or even clothing . The defining characteristic of this category is that the wearable is meant only to acquire information about a person for use in determining the risk of undesired outcomes .” An example in point is SolePower ’ s latest work boot prototype , which recharges a battery in the sole that lights up as the wearer walks . Rectangular sections in the heels illuminate a bright orange , creating the first “ self-charging , industrial wearable ,” according to Cindy Kerr , commercial director . Inside the SolePower boots are various sensors , including for temperature detection , GPS , Wi-Fi , electronics , and inertial measurement units , which track location and motion . Each is powered by a kinetic charger that harnesses the untapped energy produced by walking . This unplugged technology could play a role in improving safety and efficiency in building and construction and in the oil and gas industries , joining the ranks of smart helmets , vests , glasses , and even bionic suits , Kerr adds . A company called SmartCap has produced a product that looks like a regular baseball cap , but doubles as a wearable that monitors user fatigue . Especially designed for truck drivers who are at risk of drowsy driving , the caps collect information that can be sent to a device in the truck ’ s cab or even to an external location to alert the driver — or someone monitoring the worker — that the driver is becoming sleepy . This leads to the next frontier , where the ability to send information to a worker through a wearable will be possible , with someone off site who can monitor workers to help prevent injuries . Also in the headgear department is the Daqri Smart Helmet , designed specifically for industrial applications . Combining an Intel M7 chip , a RealSense camera , and numerous in-house innovations into a singular , wearable device , it includes an array of cameras that enable 360-degree computer vision . High-resolution depth sensors facilitate precise tracking and alignments . “ What the Daqri Smart Helmet allows the worker to do is take work constructions and augment data or information right on top of the work environment ,” says Andy Lowery , president of Daqri . When multiple workers are using the smart helmets , the information is shared and “ you can build an entire model of a facility with that data ,” Lowery adds . Another invention , exoskeletons and power-assist suits , are being developed for industrial use to enable workers to