UAVs and the Future of Construction
Overview
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), commonly known as drones, are increasingly playing a key role in the construction industry. They offer unique advantages, such as providing bird-eye views for surveys, increasing safety, and enhancing process efficiency. According to a recent survey by Skyward, 65% of participating construction companies plan to employ drones by 2020. Moreover, an analysis by Goldman Sachs suggests the market for UAVs in construction could reach over $11 billion by 2021. This guide will explore the potential role of UAVs in the future of construction, the safety they bring, and how the technology developed by 3Laws Robotics can further enhance these benefits.
Role of UAVs in the Future of Construction
The utility of UAVs in the construction industry is immense. Among construction companies already using drones, 85% have reported that they managed to capture high-quality data, subsequently enhancing their project outcomes. Furthermore, they are an excellent tool for conducting aerial surveys of construction sites, providing accurate, high-resolution imaging, and 3D mapping. These capabilities result in significant cost savings and improved efficiency in project management, planning, and design. With these numerous benefits, UAVs are poised to become an integral part of the construction industry's future.
Safety Enhancements with UAVs
Safety is a paramount concern in the construction industry. Introducing drones into construction sites can dramatically improve safety conditions. A report by PwC concludes that the use of drones could decrease worker injuries by 91%, mainly by replacing human involvement in potentially hazardous tasks such as inspections and surveys, which significantly reduces workplace incidents. Furthermore, UAVs can quickly respond to emergencies and conduct risk assessments in precarious situations, further enhancing safety on construction sites.
Process Efficiency and Cost-Savings with UAVs
UAVs are also a catalyst for increasing efficiency in the construction industry. A study by McKinsey suggests that by utilizing drones, efficiency could increase by 20%, and cost savings could be as high as 45%. UAVs facilitate fast and accurate data collection, assist in monitoring project progress, enable quicker decision-making, and provide superior project visibility, ultimately speeding up the construction process and minimizing costs.
Key Takeaways
- UAVs are set to play a crucial role in the future of the construction sector with more than 65% of firms planning to adopt their use by 2020.
- The use of UAVs potentially reduces the risk of worker injuries by 91% and increases efficiency by up to 20%.
- By utilizing drones, significant cost savings of up to 45% can be achieved.
Introducing 3Laws Robotics
3Laws Robotics is a company dedicated to developing innovative software to enhance safety and reliability for robotics systems. Emphasizing on certification, their software, 3Laws Supervisor, simplifies the process by providing robust safety features and evidence of system robustness. This solution is built on Control Barrier Functions - a technology developed at Caltech, which claims to provide mathematically provable safety.
With a wide range of applications, 3Laws has contributed to many industries. For instance, warehouse automation experienced a 40% efficiency gain, resulting in a 6-month payback period with the help of 3Laws. The software also enables safe and uninterrupted operation of robots around humans, embracing the need for collaborative robotics solutions. The company’s reactive collision avoidance capabilities can be used effectively in unpredictable surroundings, focusing on maintaining productivity and reducing downtime caused by unnecessary stops.
3Laws' software is adaptable and compatible with various platforms such as mobile robots, cars, drones, and manipulators; this includes popular robotics middleware like ROS and ROS2. As such, the firm is positioned as a next-generation safety solution that goes beyond traditional e-stop methods and offers a proactive approach to safety. With dynamic, predictive safety, 3Laws can unlock the full potential of robotics and aims to achieve certification for ISO 3691-4 and ISO 26262.