The technology of artificial intelligence (AI) is constantly evolving and expanding, not only in our everyday lives, but also in almost every industry we work in, including the construction industry. Suffolk Construction is utilizing AI on construction sites. Spot, the robotic dog, is able to perform tasks on the construction site that previously required hours or even days of work, revolutionizing the construction industry.
“It’s really amazing,” said Spot handler Andy Kunkler, Manager of Solution Development. The robotic dog has become a big hit among the workers on the construction site. “Spot is probably the most beloved unit on the construction site,” said Ben Wilson, Chief Operating Officer of Suffolk Gulf Coast. “Spot is the latest robotic technology used on construction sites,” Wilson added.
Spot facilitates management and documentation of construction sites for developers. “It was designed as a data collection tool to ensure safety, efficiency, timeliness, and precision in construction projects. Spot can verify if each element has been properly installed, in the right place, according to schedule, while moving through the corridor, and notify the team of necessary work,” Wilson explained. Suffolk Construction uses Spot, designed by Boston Dynamics, on several projects, including the new Great Wolf Lodge construction site in Naples. “Spot will know what the building will look like even before it rises from the ground,” Wilson added.
On construction sites, Spot is able to gather data and is controlled by its handler, resulting in greater accuracy in work. “The data is stored in various devices attached to Spot. Spot moves, collects data. Some of it can be transmitted live, while others can be downloaded later. That’s how it’s designed. Practically anyone on the construction site can operate it. When we use more specialized equipment, like 3D scanning, it becomes slightly more complicated,” said Andy Kunkler, Spot operator on the construction site. Spot is not cheap; it costs tens of thousands of dollars, but it is worth its price. Like any new technology, it should become cheaper and more accessible to a greater number of construction companies in the future. “Is investing in Spot worthwhile? Definitely yes, and I would say Spot is the latest in a series of investments that have led us to this point,” said Wilson.
Spot can certainly be considered a revolution in construction site work. It allows many tasks to be done faster and more precisely. “Under normal conditions, supervisors take several hours to survey the construction site, return, process the data, and send information via emails and phone calls. Spot does it in real-time through automatic processes. The results are exponential. It’s an incredible time-saving,” said Wilson.
This is a glimpse into the future of construction and a step forward in reducing the time and effort needed to start a project. “I want to be very clear: Spot doesn’t take away work from the team on the construction site, quite the opposite, it allows people to use their time more efficiently,” said Wilson. “It’s an amazing time we live in,” Kunkler added.
There is no doubt that artificial intelligence is developing rapidly and penetrating new areas of business, and we can expect further growth. The Great Wolf Lodge in Naples is set to open its doors later this year.
Key Questions about the Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) on Construction Sites:
1. How does Suffolk Construction utilize artificial intelligence on construction sites?
2. What is Spot and what is its main purpose on the construction site?
3. What are the benefits of using Spot on the construction site?
4. What are the data collection capabilities of Spot?
5. What are the costs associated with purchasing and using Spot on the construction site?
6. How does Spot impact the efficiency of work on the construction site?
7. Does the use of Spot mean replacing workers on the construction site?
8. What are the prospects for further development of the use of artificial intelligence in the construction industry?
Definitions:
1. Artificial intelligence (AI) – technology that enables computers and machines to perform tasks that normally require human thinking and actions.
2. Spot – a robotic dog designed to perform various tasks on a construction site, based on artificial intelligence.
Recommended Related Links:
1. Boston Dynamics Homepage
2. Official Great Wolf Lodge Naples Website
The source of the article is from the blog radardovalemg.com