How IoT Technology is Reshaping the Construction Industry

By: Chris Giarratana

If you're part of the construction industry, you're probably familiar with the machines used on a daily basis. What if each of these machines-- large and small-- could easily connect to the Internet? Wouldn't it make your life easier, especially if you're a construction manager handling these tasks?

If you think this is nothing, but a dream, we're pleased to tell you that it's slowly becoming a reality. For the past few years, the Internet of Things has been developing at a steady rate. In fact, it's now considered as the biggest technological trend there is. It's instrumental in different industries, ranging from home security to field service, and even on construction sites. Still not convinced? Allow us to discuss how the Internet of Things is slowly reshaping the construction industry.

1. Equipment Servicing and Repair Would Be Less Complicated

With the IoT technology, sensors would be embedded in the machines, and whenever something goes wrong, it would automatically transmit information regarding the status of the machinery. Being able to fix the machines before the problem gets worse is a practical solution because you wouldn't have to worry about it malfunctioning when you least expect.

2. A More Economic Approach

If you're a construction manager, you have probably noticed how expensive a building project can be. There's always the risk of losing a good amount on supplies that have gotten mislaid during a project, or waste your cash on products that arrived on time, but not what your company ordered. Not just that, sometimes, you can even spend a lot on fuel costs only to discover that it didn't function the way it's supposed to. With the help of IoT technology, you can put an end to this problem.

You'll have the exact details on how things will go on a construction site. This would help you lessen the risks of losing and wasting money. No need to worry about mislaid items or the cost of purchasing replacements. As for fleet locations, you can always use GPS to get accurate results.

Aside from that, you'll also be able to landscape or excavate equipment the way you're supposed to-- this would be precisely set up on a terrain, and you'll be able to carry out instructions through the use of a virtual map.

3. Everything Can Be Monitored

It doesn't matter if it's a power drill or articulated movers. Whatever the equipment may be, IoT would log the construction hours automatically. This means the limits can also be monitored, preventing the operator from fatigue and the occurrence of accidents. There are also wearable computing devices, such as wristbands, which would be able to monitor the health and alertness of the wearer.

4. A Great Way to Save Energy and Fuel

With the help of IoT, you'll have the ability to send back information regarding the amount of power used. By doing so, your company would be able to adjust the after-lighting hours to conserve energy. These machines are also capable of sending back information on idling time, which means that off periods can easily be adjusted without the risk of penalizing the projects.

5. Power and Fuel Saving

IoT allows you to send back information regarding the amount of electrical energy used. That means you'll be able to adjust the after-hours lighting to meet your energy-saving needs. Likewise, machines would also give you the exact information regarding idling time-- which consumes fuel, so that during the on and off periods, you'll be able to adjust these without the risk of penalizing the projects based on the time needed to restart the machine.

6. Smart Traffic Cones

The IoT technology would also make traffic safety cones a better tool in a sense that sensors can be embedded into it. For instance, a traffic cone can be converted into a video surveillance system that offers rapidly-deployed, battery-operated, and fully wireless video monitoring and it would also be able to detect patterns using a smartphone. This can be considered as a system-level solution perfect for construction sites as accidents are prone to happen here.

7. Safer Employees

Accidents are quite common in a construction site. Fortunately, IoT can prevent this from happening. For instance, it's remote operation capabilities would mean that the workers won't have to be near the dangerous equipment anymore as they'll be able to control it in a remote location.

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Author Bio:

Chris is a Digital Media Strategist in Orlando, FL and is an experience freelance copywriter, PPC management, and SEO strategy.  Chris is also passionate about startup marketing, environmental issues, and emerging technologies.