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Amalgamation of smart AIoT based construction site monitoring with robotics: viAct's extended horizon

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The paper presents research insights on amalgamation AIoT and Robotic technology for construction site monitoring. For this purpose the paper studies the special case of viAct's smart cloud controlled robotic system with embedded camera that enables real time capturing of images, detecting various safety non-compliances by workers for maintaining a safe construction ecosystem. Furthermore, the automatic wheel base carries LiDar that can detect the objects in the form of point clouds generating a as-is model which is compared with the as-planned BIM model. This helps in regular day to day progress tracking of the real time scenario helping contractors and owners to have human prejudice free inspection of their construction sites. viAct's smart robotic system working in a collaborative robot background, is thus a value addition to the viAct's existing monitoring solution based on AIoT, making the entire monitoring more accurate, optimal and error free.
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International Journal of Research in Engineering and Science (IJRES)
ISSN (Online): 2320-9364, ISSN (Print): 2320-9356
www.ijres.org Volume 09 Issue 10 ǁ 2021 ǁ PP. 24-27
www.ijres.org 24 | Page
Amalgamation of smart AIoT based construction site
monitoring with robotics: viAct's extended horizon
Gary Ng1, Hugo Cheuk2, Surendra Singh3, Baby Sharma4*
118 Wai Yip St, Kwun Tong, Hong Kong
*4 Corresponding Author: Baby Sharma (baby.sharma@viact.ai)
Abstract
The paper presents research insights on amalgamation AIoT and Robotic technology for construction site
monitoring. For this purpose the paper studies the special case of viAct’s smart cloud controlled robotic system
with embedded camera that enables real time capturing of images, detecting various safety non-compliances by
workers for maintaining a safe construction ecosystem. Furthermore, the automatic wheel base carries LiDar
that can detect the objects in the form of point clouds generating a as-is model which is compared with the as-
planned BIM model. This helps in regular day to day progress tracking of the real time scenario helping
contractors and owners to have human prejudice free inspection of their construction sites. viAct’s smart
robotic system working in a collaborative robot background, is thus a value addition to the viAct’s existing
monitoring solution based on AIoT, making the entire monitoring more accurate, optimal and error free.
Keywords: AIoT, viAct, Robotics, LiDar, Construction monitoring, BIM, Productivity monitoring, Collaborative
Robot Background
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Date of Submission: 17-10-2021 Date of acceptance: 01-11-2021
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I. Introduction
The construction industry is growing its horizon with monitoring automation and robotics technologies.
The working knowledge of electronics, mechanical and computer software has been used to operate robotic
systems in construction job-sites in a collaborative robot background (Feng et al.,2015). This helps in improving
the construction job-site for improving safety and productivity related concerns thereby improving quality of the
construction workplace (Nguyen & Choi, 2018). The earlier research depicts there is very low inclusion of
automation in the construction industry. This has been often linked to critical and dynamic working conditions
leading to slow adaptation of technological innovations in the construction job-sites. To fulfill this gap, the last
decade has witnessed boom in research on construction automation integrating robotics for various purposes
including designing, planning, monitoring safety and estimating productivity of construction project (Kim et al.,
2013; Klein et al., 2012). Thereby it could be stated that the construction ecosystem is transforming from
traditional construction to “Construction + Technology”, formally called “ConTechecosystem. Robots are
emerging as a crucial part of this automatic ConTech ecosystem. Robots used for construction monitoring are
electronically controlled systems using hydraulics making them suitable for working in large scale dynamic
construction projects in a collaborative robot background. Automation in construction monitoring is redefined
with machines and advanced technology with emerging of ConTech startups.
This chapter puts forward new a revolution in construction automations with amalgamation AI and
robotics for fine tune accuracy in monitoring of construction project taking in consideration special case of
viAct, Asia’s leading ConTech startup. viAct is a startup from Hong Kong that provides “Scenario-based
Vision Intelligence” solutions exclusively for construction industry all across Asia & Europe by successfully
deploying around 30 sites. viAct’s smart AI modules has been successfully providing extremely granular
insights on safety prepositions, productivity forethoughts and environmental compliances in jobsites by not only
tracking objects but by transforming vision to practical actions. Thus, the case study presented in this paper
fulfills all the requisites for stating viAct as one of its own kind in proving holistic scenario based solution
providers leveraging the power of AIoT and robotics. The chapter depicts the principal, working and
applications of an autonomous wheel based robotic system controlled via. cloud that carries camera, LiDar and a
digital display to automatically collect data using the existing (as-planned) BIM model by navigating through
the dynamic construction site, collecting and processing data by detecting various workforce related safety non-
compliances, daily productivity checks and therefore producing real time reports. In the former case, any safety
negligence is instantly alerted to the concerned authority. However in the later case, detecting the progress a
progress (as-built) model is generated which can be compared to the as-planned model in order to generate an
error free progress report with minimum human interference and prejudice.
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II. AI & Robotics in construction monitoring: viAct’s special case
2.1 Principle & Working
Robotic system used by viAct is designed taking in consideration the locomotive aspect. It is designed
to carry camera, Lidar and a digital display. As construction job-site is a dynamic environment, the robots used
for construction job-site monitoring is designed with outdoor all-terrain wheels. The wheel based locomotive
robot is effective systems as it can efficiently move through rough and dynamic terrains of construction job-site
detecting various complex scenarios in the construction site. The robotic system is precise than onsite mounted
job-site cameras in scenarios which are difficult to be captured by the later ones. Thus the robotic system is
more approachable than conventional construction monitoring methods, providing a holistic watch on every
nook and corner of the job-site. Thus, terrain locomotion system with wheels is used in viAct for achieving
optimum navigation with high levels of control and precision, without hampering freedom of movement in the
site as well as allowing reduction of human prejudice and biasness. This in-turn is indicative of a collaborative
robot environment for efficient monitoring. Apart from this actuators, are used to facilitate a fully autonomous
behavior in the wheel based robots. As the robotic systems need to interact with the environment in terms of
removing obstacles, opening doors or accessing elevators. An actuator produces motion via conversion of
energy and signals passing into the system. Thus, for making a robotic system efficient to work along with
human in a collaborative robot background, actuators are used for a fully autonomous behavior.
Furthermore, as the robot needs to collect colored visual information, structural geometry data of the
building, surface reflectance information, therefore various sensors like 3D Laser scanner. Thus, 3D Laser
Scanner is another important functional component of the robotic technology. In terms of technical aspect, the
3D laser scanning uses a laser beam for capturing features of objects in multiple directions within and around a
structure (Patil et al., 2017; Shrestha & Jeong, 2017). The captured data points are aggregated into a “point
cloud” and assigned X, Y, and Z coordinates which are then digitally saved. These cloud points are then used for
describing the spatial relationships between objects, providing a full characteristic depiction of the receiving
entities (Bueno et al., 2018). Its principal is based on measuring reflected pulses from the object’s surface by
sensors when a high speed rotating laser beam is subjected to objects (Ibrahim et al., 2019). The relative location
of the object to the scanner and the resolution angle is used to measure the resolution or the distance (mm)
between aforementioned points (Reboli et al., 2017). Apart from this, shape of the objects can also be
determined the point cloud data. Thus, 3D laser scanning is used for speedy collection of spatial data for
improving resolution of detection and minimizing unwanted data noise. Once the point cloud has been created in
a 3D spatial form, the data is exported for constructing complex geometric BIM models.
Another key aspect of viAct’s autonomous wheel based localization system is that it uses BIM model
of the building in conjunction with LiDARs for mapping precise and real-time position of the robot. BIM which
is a design document consisting of digital files or data (Bosche et al., 2015; Lagüela et al., 2013). It uses various
tools and technologies to generate digital representation of physical and functional characteristics of places
containing close relationships with each other in terms of space, size, quantity, and material of each structure. In
order to support progress measurements, project management, and project control; BIM’s information is
exchanged and associated online together through the software. Thus, by amalgamation of various building and
construction related information such as plans, financial budgets, and construction progress, it helps in creating
a virtual reality model of the building for optimal monitoring of the construction site by the robotic system for
an enhanced operational management. Thus, applying 3D laser scanning technology with a BIM model, an exact
volume schedule can be approved at each point of various construction phases or stages in order to accurately
determine the quantity of work done.
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Figure 1: BIM-3D laser scanning process
2.2 Application of viAct’s robotic system
viAct’s wheel based robotic system is an add-on to the existing application of viAct’s smart monitoring system
(Fig 2).
Figure 2: Application of viAct’s robotic system
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1.2.1 Worker PPE Detection
Workers working in viAct’s collaborative robot environment are safer than traditional construction
sites. In addition to providing holistic monitoring through existing cameras, viAct’s robotic system is a new
companion in the construction job-site that can help in detecting and monitoring PPE compliances in job-site.
The robotic system is fed with the scenario based intelligence of viAct which is controlled and operated through
viAct’s smart cloud in order to provide holistic, error-free monitoring of helmets, masks, PPE kits etc. In case of
any non-compliance detection, instant alert is sent to site managers and remote authorities for instant actions.
1.2.2 360° Photo Capturing
A large part of project monitoring involves documentation. Manual documentation involves capturing
pictures of the jobsite for the purpose of record keeping. However when a project site is too large and dynamic,
accuracy of manual documentation through manual capturing is an error prone task. In this respect, viAct’s
smart robotic system has been designed to automatically capture 360° pictures of the jobsite. These pictures
don’t just help in record keeping but also helps owners to keep a track of their ongoing projects with real time
images captured by the robotic system and stored in the cloud.
1.2.3 Progress Tracking through BIM
BIM along with 3D laser scanning is another advanced feature of the robotics system viAct. The 3D
laser scanner installed in the robotic system helps to capture cloud data points. This helps in comparing every
day progress of the construction site with the as-planned BIM model. Such accurate progress tracking helps
contractors to keep a strict watch on progress. At the same time as the progress reports are updated on viAct’s
cloud system real time progress reports can also been accessed by the property owners for having a transparent
workflow between contractors and workers.
III. Conclusion
The paper presents research insights on amalgamation AIoT and Robotic technology for construction
site monitoring. For this purpose the paper studies the special case of viAct’s smart cloud controlled robotic
system with embedded camera that enables real time capture of images, detecting various safety non-
compliances by workers for maintaining a safe construction ecosystem. Furthermore, the automatic wheel base
carries LiDar that can detect the object in the form of point clouds generating a as-is model which is compared
with the as-planned BIM model. This helps in regular day to day progress tracking of the real time scenario
helping contractors and owners to have human prejudice free inspection of the construction site. viAct’s smart
robotic system working in a collaborative robot background, is thus a value addition to the existing monitoring
solution based on AIoT, making the entire monitoring further accurate, optimal and error free.
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BIM-driven mission planning and navigation for automatic indoor construction progress detection using robotic ground platform
  • A Ibrahim
  • M Sabet
  • Golparvar-Fard
Ibrahim, A. Sabet, and M. Golparvar-Fard, "BIM-driven mission planning and navigation for automatic indoor construction progress detection using robotic ground platform," Proc. 2019 Eur. Conf. Comput. Constr., vol. 1, pp. 182-189, 2019.
Automated construction progress measurement using a 4D building information model and 3D data
  • C Kim
  • H Kim
  • Son
Kim, C. Kim, and H. Son, "Automated construction progress measurement using a 4D building information model and 3D data," Autom. Constr., 2013.