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The Best Computer Vision Applications for Construction
Liz Oz
There's no question that computer vision is having a massive impact on the construction industry. Innovative construction companies are seeking out new ways to solve their traditional business challenges and improve everything from safety and coordination to productivity.
What is Computer Vision?
Computer vision is a state-of-the-art technology that gives sight to AI. Together, computer vision and artificial intelligence are like having an extra set of eyes looking over every aspect of a project.
The concept of Big Data—constantly collecting information and analyzing it in real-time—is revolutionizing the way construction companies manage projects and maximize financial gain. Implementing computer vision and AI in construction leads to a more productive and safer working environment for employees - from the general contractor to the trades and sub-contractors. It also increases efficiency, unifying every aspect of a construction project.
Computer vision is also more affordable than you think. Construction companies often believe this technology is something only large general contractors can adopt, but with an affordable computer vision (CV) platform like alwaysAI, a construction company of any size can start leveraging CV for tremendous ROI.
Let's take a closer look at some of the best computer vision applications for construction.
Monitor and Increase Productivity Without Tracking Workers
One of the biggest concerns for builders today is finding ways to increase productivity and get projects done faster. At the same time, maintaining the privacy and protecting workers' identities is essential. Computer vision provides innovative solutions to these concerns, enabling construction companies to increase efficiency in real-time.
CV allows companies to track the movement of workers and machines in real-time so that supervisors can improve the productivity of the construction process. Live monitoring and analysis through things like heat maps offer deeper insight into how work is executed and where potential problems may occur.
Computer vision applications with the alwaysAI platform also provide a simple and intuitive API (Application Programming Interface) to protect privacy by automatically blurring faces, entire persons, or objects. This feature allows construction companies to track work without tracking workers. Fixed camera systems track the number of people coming on-site and then track patterns of movement. This helps identify bottlenecks in the construction process and highlights areas where improvements can be made. For example, if the placement of material storage needs to be moved to reduce unnecessary travel across the site.
The real-time data generated by CV improves analytics and enables the creation of dashboards to visualize project data. Analytics can also trigger alerts when something is out of compliance. By having a visual representation of how a project is progressing, managers can make more informed decisions and correct any problems before they become bigger issues.
Improve Safety Management
Safety is crucial in a construction project. A recent study revealed that construction worker deaths from injuries at work jumped by 41.4% between 2011 and 2019. Smart safety applications powered by computer vision can help combat these unnerving statistics.
One safety application of computer vision is to create a “safety score.” Workers entering a site can be tracked while still protecting their privacy. The application can detect if they are wearing PPE, hard hats, and vests. The CV system can then generate an average safety score from the number of people wearing the necessary PPE. If someone is detected not wearing PPE, a real-time message can be sent to a supervisor to check for compliance.
Computer vision can also identify potential safety hazards on construction sites. For example, it can be used to detect unsafe work practices or identify areas where workers are at risk of injury. Safety apps evaluate images of construction sites against safety parameters and help construction managers ensure that their projects are compliant with workplace safety regulations. Advanced features can also monitor and control access to the identified 'safety hazard zones'.
This gives construction workers peace of mind that they are working in a safe environment. A safer site also means that construction contractors can sell more projects. When safety data is presented to project stakeholders, contractors can demonstrate their capability to prioritize safety and reduce costly accidents.
The Future of Construction is Here
Construction sites are complex involving managers, workers, sub-contractors, materials, and tight deadlines. But what if you had an extra set of eyes constantly monitoring every aspect of the project? Computer vision, a revolutionary AI technology provides this real-time, comprehensive oversight to transform construction from the ground up.
Computer vision can help you boost productivity and enhance safety without compromising worker privacy. Because it tracks movement and identifies bottlenecks, managers can make real-time adjustments and maximize efficiency. Furthermore, computer vision can enforce safety protocols, identify hazards, and even generate safety scores – keeping workers safe and projects on track.
Computer vision is accessible for companies of all sizes, can leverage existing cameras, and easily integrate with existing BI tools. Don't get left in the dust. Embrace the future of construction and build smarter today.