You may associate robots with Hollywood films, but it turns out they’re taking a starring role in commercial construction.
Read on to learn about how robots are helping to get the job done faster.
Robots On The Rise In Commercial Construction
According to the International Federation of Robotics, 1.3 million robots will enter the service industry by 2018. But they’re not just planning on working in factories – they’ll soon be working alongside you at your site.
Robots in commercial construction don’t just help to increase productivity and ensure deadlines are met: they also complete dangerous jobs and can help protect your workers in hazardous weather conditions.
While we understand that the rise of robots in commercial construction may make some workers feel like their jobs are at risk of being eliminated, the fact is that, more than anything else, robots will help to keep them safe.
While some robotic advancements in commercial construction, like remote-controlled demolition bots and welders, have been available for a few years now, the latest advancements are capable of a whole lot more.
Speedy Brick-Laying Through SAM
Soon, robots will be a $1.5 billion industry – and the market is growing at a rate of 17% every year.
SAM (short for “Semi-Automated Masonry”) technology was invented to help bricklayers in commercial construction save on costs, time spent on site, and to increase the quality of breaks – leading to fewer customer complaints and less money lost on having to fix commercial construction jobs.
The best part – it works with your human masons, reducing anxiety about potential job loss, as mentioned above. While the SAM robot literally does the heavy lifting – raising and placing the bricks, and spreading the mortar – your masons clean off any excess and supervise the commercial construction bots.
To ensure that it stays put, the robot is mounted on scaffolding. Even better, the SAM robot thinks like a human mason: it accounts for differences in plans and the reality of commercial construction sites, adjusting as needed.
Right now, the robots are most optimized to work on construction projects that primarily consist of larger, flat walls – picture things like colleges, hospitals, and larger commercial buildings.
The SAM robots can also place bricks in and out of walls by about half an inch, so basic texture detailing can be accomplished robotically. The robots can also sear a logo onto a brick or series of bricks – so it’s good for adding a little branding to your commercial construction site, too. (After all, everyone will be wondering who the awesome company with the robot is.)
Bottom line? While an average worker lays between 300-500 bricks every day, the SAM robot can lay between 800-1200.
SAM robots are available to rent, so why not give them a try?
The Robot That Builds A House – In Two Days
The SAM bricklaying robot isn’t the only artificial intelligence you may soon be seeing on commercial construction sites across the globe.
The Hadrian X, built by Fastbrick Robotics, is famed for having speeds of up to 1,000 bricks an hour. As if that wasn’t enough, the Hadrian X can also completely build a house in just two days – oh, and that house is totally outfitted with slots for windows and doors, as well as paths for your electrical wiring routes.
By comparison, an all-human crew would need a minimum of about 6 weeks to complete such a project.
Another great thing about Hadrian X is that it is able to cut and grind bricks down so that they fit the size needed for your project – and advancement that only makes things easier on your construction site.
A laser guides its telescopic arm to make sure that all bricks are placed perfectly – we’re talking a 0.5mm accuracy when it comes to laying bricks.
Thanks to the Hadrian X, you’ll never have to turn down a rush job again – and everyone will be talking about the innovations your company is willing to take to get the job done.
How Robots Can Increase BIM Workflow On Your Commercial Construction Sites
BIM – AKA “Building Information Modeling,” gives you great models and access to valuable databases that can increase productivity and make sure your measurements and plans are right the first time.
But let’s be honest – sometimes, things don’t always work out that way.
Using robotics in conjunction with BIM only makes the job go faster and better.
While BIM is super useful, sometimes when you’re communicating with contractors, things can still get lost in translation. Plus, while BIM has helped you streamline things, it’s still prone to errors that cost you both time and money.
To fix all this, some of the major companies in the BIM world have started to research ways to incorporate robotics into their systems – meaning life on your construction site is about to get easier. Check out these two options:
1. Tekla Structures and The Use of Handheld Software
This robotic innovation is designed so that you can easily set up and keep track of the coordinates on your commercial construction site. This makes creating the foundation a much speedier process, and prevents you from having to constantly run back and forth between the site and your office while making adjustments to plans.
2. BIM Scanner Mobile Robots
These are robots that can move – they can walk, talk, and work. Now, they’re being put to work in the fields of architecture and construction. These guys even have WiFi – so they can easily keep track of your GPS coordinates, take measurements, and of course, use their digital cameras to take and send you pictures of your construction site.
They can even scan buildings, which is an awesome tool when you’re trying to accurately access if everything is line with your plans.
Robots in Commercial Construction: Innovative, Fun, and A Huge Boost To Productivity
Now that you know all the awesome ways a robot can improve your commercial construction business, you’re probably wondering what other secrets to boosting your business are out there.
For more tips, tricks, and tech innovations coming out in the world of commercial construction, check out our blog.
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