Automation is a new trend that has not only taken over many industries in the past few years but also altered the way of doing business. For many, it’s a new era as automation has gradually replaced most of the traditional business processes from the roots. This new era has brought some innovations in the business and is taking over some manual jobs.
But, when it comes to automation, one industry has remained steadfast. Although the construction sector is adopting automation slowly, digital transformation and automation can help this sector enter a new era. So, let’s explore how the construction sector is using automation.
What is Automation?
Automation is bringing new changes with new cutting-edge technologies in Industries. It converts the current processes in the business with new technologies that cater to giving new upper-edge results in less money.
This involves various steps when implementing it in a large enterprise or an industry. Some steps can be taken to automate an industrial process.
- Find a process: Brainstorming sessions are utilised to find a repetitive process in the construction industry that is much more likely to be automated. These processes are time and money-consuming processes that can make more value if narrowed down more and found a new innovative way to process.
- Breakdown phase: After you’ve found down a circle or an automatise part, you break it down into various sub-processes. We’ll explain the process’s specification by constructing a sequence document, which lays out every step we need for the process from beginning to end. This way, you can find places where you can replace new methods to create more value in your approach.
- Assembling your team: In this particular phase, you see new team members to help you make an automatise process. This could involve many key members like Electrical, mechanical and software engineers.
- Execution: This step is one of the most important and easiest steps in the automation process. Here, the team implements their strategy in parts and checks for the results to be efficient and valuable.
- Analyse: This is the after-implementation part of the automation process. This step analyses certain feedback and effects to find the struggles occurring in the process.
Why is there a need for automation?
The construction industry is a vast industry that requires a lot of labour processes. Its dependency on human labour and the sudden decline in the shortage of labour after covid has led the companies to find a way to revolutionise the industry with the introduction of automation.
The introduction of automation in the construction industry can accelerate growth. For instance, with the new machines , AI-powered tools, Construction vehicles, and robotics, the construction industry can improve the quality of work, decrease labour dependency, enhance the safety of workers and increase productivity. For example, the CAT machine is one of the most preferred vehicles when it comes to construction vehicles.
From planning and design to operation and maintenance to the eventual dismantling and recycling of things, there is abundant scope to bring in automation. The technological advancement in computer science or robotics has gone to a new level, and the construction industry is yet to take full advantage of it in India. Implementing robotics and fully automated technology will reduce human efforts, project time and construction costs while increasing productivity.
Automation is an effective way to streamline workflows in a construction project. This includes material requisition, permits to dig, health and safety checks, risk assessment, and the onboarding of contractors and subcontractors. Many construction firms perform these processes via outdated manual methods. However, obsolete approaches will hamper productivity, create overruns (and overheads), and cause project delays.
Benefits of automation in the construction Industry
We have seen that India is yet to implement automation in the construction industry. However, many companies have already started to receive advantages from automation. Automation has made a notable impact on the construction industry. It uses machines, tools, and robots to perform tasks instead of humans.
Machines performing tasks faster than humans are one of the most significant benefits of automation in construction. It results in increased efficiency and shorter project completion time. This saves time as well as reduces costs. The cost that manual labourers require to complete a job in 15 days can be equated to Hitachi price.
Using machines and robots to perform dangerous tasks in construction has led to a reduction in the risk of accidents and injuries, thus improving safety. This also saves on insurance and legal costs.
Additionally, automation allows for more particular and accurate work. Machines can measure and cut materials to specifications, resulting in less waste and higher-quality work.
Utilising machines and robots increases productivity in projects. Thus, enabling construction companies to take on more projects by completing more work in less time.
Finally, automation can also help reduce labour costs. By using machines and robots to perform tasks, the workload on labourers decreases, in turn reducing labour expenses.
In conclusion, automation in construction provides numerous benefits, including increased efficiency, improved safety, higher quality work, increased productivity, and reduced labour costs. As technology continues to advance, it is expected that automation will become even more prevalent in the construction industry.
Conclusion
Automation in the construction industry has transformed how construction projects are undertaken, making them more efficient, safer, and cost-effective. Utilising machines and robots allows more work to be completed in less time, enabling construction companies to take on more projects. It cannot be overstated that the benefits of automation in the construction industry are significant.
Additionally, automation allows for more precise and accurate work, resulting in higher-quality projects. However, it’s essential to note that automation also impacts job displacement and changes to traditional roles. Therefore, it’s crucial to consider the human element in implementing automation in the construction industry. Overall, it’s clear that automation is the future of construction, and we must embrace this technology to stay competitive in the industry.
