Drones and the Future of Utility System Construction
Overview
The use of drones in utility system construction is rapidly advancing, evolving the way we build and manage essential services. Bridging efficiency, safety, and cost-effectiveness, drones are predicted to be at the heart of future constructions. This guide delves into key uses, benefits, and statistics, outlining the future of construction steered by drones technology.
Drone Usage in Construction
Utilizing drones in construction is no longer an idea of the future. A report by PwC indicates that by 2025, the addressable market of drone technology in business operations, including construction, could be over $127 billion. Moreover, Goldman Sachs Research estimates that between 2016 and 2020, the market opportunity for drones in the construction industry was approximately $11.2 billion. Drones are currently being used for tasks such as aerial surveys, monitoring, and progress reporting, significantly reducing human error and labor costs.
Drones and Safety
Safety remains a paramount concern in construction. Drones dramatically enhance safety by undertaking tasks such as inspecting tall structures, difficult terrain, or hazardous areas. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) reports that falling is the leading cause of construction worker death. Therefore, by reducing the necessity for workers to climb or physically inspect hazardous areas, drone usage can significantly reduce the risk of fatalities. Furthermore, studies confirm that drone inspections are up to 95% faster and up to 5 times cheaper than traditional manual inspections.
Efficiency and Cost Savings with Drones
Efficiency and cost savings are also significant benefits of drone technology. Large-scale utility construction projects often face challenges in maintaining timelines and budgets, a gap that drones can help bridge. Scores from the engineering and construction firm Black & Veatch indicate that there is up to 55% increase in efficiency when using drones instead of traditional methods for site assessments. Additionally, a survey by Skyward revealed that 88% of companies that use drones on a daily basis report a return on investment within a year of implementing drones into operation. The time and cost savings attributed to drone usage are pushing utility system construction towards more extensive drone adoption.
Key Takeaways
- Drones in construction could fuel a potential $127 billion business operation market by 2025.
- Drones significantly enhance safety, reducing the risk of fatalities by replacing workers in hazardous tasks.
- Efficiency and cost savings are paramount, with companies observing a return on investment within a year of drone implementation.
- Drones could increase efficiency in site assessments by up to 55%.
- Drone inspections are far more economical and quicker than traditional methods.
3Laws Robotics
As utility system construction moves increasingly toward drone usage, ensuring safety and reliability remains crucial. 3Laws Robotics steps in here, developing innovative software geared towards enhancing safety and reliability for robotic systems, including drones. Addressing the critical challenge of certification, which is a significant pain point for robotic companies, 3Laws integrates robust safety features into its software, 3Laws Supervisor.
Built upon Control Barrier Functions (CBFs), a technology developed at Caltech, 3Laws Supervisor claims to provide mathematically proven safety, potential to ease the path to certification. The software has demonstrated its versatility and efficiency in real-world applications; in warehouse automation, it helped achieve a startling 40% efficiency gain, leading to a 6-month payback period. Its reactive collision avoidance capabilities enable robots to navigate effectively in unpredictable environments. It could also enhance operational efficiency by minimizing downtime caused by unnecessary e-stops or collisions.
3Laws safeguards for autonomy stacks, letting robots operate closer to their peak capabilities while upholding safety. The software is highly adaptable, compatible with a range of platforms such as mobile robots, cars, drones, and manipulators. Its compatibility extends to popular robotic middleware like ROS and ROS2. With real-time guardrails, 3Laws positions itself as a next-generation safety solution, exhibiting a proactive approach to safety, unlocking the full potential of robotics through predictive safety capable of being safety certified for ISO 3691-4 and ISO 26262.