In the era of smart construction, digitalization is advancing rapidly across the construction industry as well. Among these changes, the adoption of IoT (Internet of Things) is providing significant benefits to the productivity and safety of the construction industry. So let's take a look at what IoT is and what changes are taking place in the construction industry that has adopted it.
Relative to its scale and rate of growth, the construction industry is one with very low productivity and profitability. (Source: McKinsey Corporate Performance Analysis Tool; HIS; US Breau of Economics Analysis; US BLS; McKinsey Global Institute Analysis) IoT is a system made up of devices that can receive and transmit data using only a wireless network, without the need for manual operation, and it can often be seen in our daily lives. For example, a thermostat that lets you check and adjust the temperature with your smartphone can also be considered IoT. So how is IoT being adopted in the construction industry?
First is safety. By its nature, the construction industry is highly exposed to danger, and every year unfortunate casualties occur due to various accidents such as falls and electric shocks. Adopting IoT can make these construction sites safer. In fact, a startup called HCS (Human Condition Safety) is using IoT to make construction sites safer. For example, when a worker wearing an HCS sensor enters a hazardous area, the system automatically alerts the worker, allowing them to move to a safe location.
Second is the management and monitoring of construction sites. A representative example is real-time location tracking, which allows you to check the movements and real-time location of people or objects on-site through a digital map. Receiving more convenient and accurate location information and site conditions also has a major impact on strengthening worker safety. Even if a worker who has been injured cannot be found directly because of a large site or a tall building, this IoT-based system can locate them. Furthermore, if devices measure data directly tied to health, such as a worker's body temperature and pulse rate, for more detailed monitoring, workers can be identified and given faster treatment before they actually collapse or show severe physical abnormalities.
Finally, IoT can also be used for building management. In particular, smart buildings that have adopted IoT have seen major changes such as energy savings, space control, higher productivity, and the mitigation of security risks. To enable these changes, various sensors in the building are linked to IoT so that illuminance, motion, infrared, temperature, and more can be measured.
Because of these advantages, Carta Inc. recently signed an MOU with Raycom, a company specializing in construction IoT, and plans to add IoT-based safety management features to the Carta platform during the first half of 2021. Because drone data and IoT can create great synergy across many fields, many construction companies are already showing interest.
