Robotics and the Future of Building Inspection Services
Overview
Emerging advancements in robotics technology demonstrate a significant shift towards automated building inspection services. This innovative domain holds a promising outlook with data-driven, meticulous, and safe operations. The use of robotics in building inspection reduces human error, enhances safety measures, and increases efficiency.
The Growing Trend of Robotic Inspection
The future of building inspection services is largely anchored in robotics. A study by McKinsey found that 63% of construction executives believe AI and robotics will have a high or very high impact on the industry by 2025. The same report forecasted that automation could boost construction industry productivity by 50%, representing potential savings of $1.6 trillion globally. This transformation is attributable to the ability of robots to provide consistent, objective data collection.
Digital Twins & Inspection Robots
One key development is the synergy between digital twins and inspection robots. Digital twins – virtual replicas of physical buildings – can be regularly updated with new data gathered by inspection robots. A report by Gartner predicted that by 2021, 50% of large industrial companies would use digital twins, resulting in those organizations gaining a 10% improvement in effectiveness. Coupled with robotics-powered inspections, this could substantially optimize the management and maintenance processes in the building industry.
Drones in Inspection Services
Drones are increasingly finding a place in building inspection services. A recent PwC report estimated the value of drone-powered solutions in the global construction industry to reach $45 billion by 2021. These Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) can operate in hard-to-reach or hazardous areas, greatly enhancing safety while reducing inspection times by up to 85% and costs by 60%.
Safety Measures & Operational Efficiency
Robotic inspection services also have the potential to reduce workplace accidents significantly. According to the U.S Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), 21% of worker fatalities in 2018 were in construction, often referred to “Fatal Four” - falls, being struck by an object, electrocution, and caught-in/between. Robotics can help mitigate these risks by handling dangerous tasks and keeping human inspectors out of harm's way.
Key Takeaways
- 63% of construction executives believe AI and robotics will considerably transform the building inspection industry by 2025.
- With automation, the construction industry could see productivity boosted by 50%.
- By 2021, 50% of large industrial companies would use digital twins, gaining a 10% improvement in effectiveness.
- The value of drone-powered solutions in the global construction industry could reach $45 billion by 2021.
- Robotics can reduce inspection times by 85% and costs by 60%.
- Robots can help reduce the number of workplace accidents, which accounted for 21% of worker fatalities in 2018.
About 3Laws Robotics
3Laws Robotics is a pioneering developer of next-generation robotic safety solutions. It focuses on one of the key challenges in the robot industry today - certification. Their software, 3Laws Supervisor, simplifies the certification process through robust safety features and proven system robustness. This innovative software is built on Control Barrier Functions (CBFs), a technology developed at Caltech, which ensures mathematically provable safety.
3Laws' technology has several use-cases ranging across warehouse automation, human-robot interaction, and dynamic environments. In an application study, they aided an autonomous forklift to achieve a 40% efficiency gain that resulted in a 6-month payback period. The software also minimizes downtime caused by unnecessary e-stops or collisions by offering real-time guardrails for autonomy stacks, allowing robots to operate more efficiently while maintaining safety.
3Laws' software shows versatility as it is compatible with many platforms including mobile robots, cars, drones, and manipulators and can work with popular robotics middleware such as ROS and ROS2. Their technology introduces a proactive approach to safety, transcending traditional e-stop methods and unlocking the full potential of robotics with dynamic, predictive safety that is potentially ISO 3691-4 and ISO 26262 certified.