The construction industry has traditionally been associated with manual labor, but in recent years, technological advancements have revolutionized the sector. One such innovation that has gained significant attention is Visual Intelligence Technology (VIT). VIT has transformed the way construction companies operate in Australia, enabling them to improve project timelines, reduce costs, and enhance safety. With the introduction of CONSTRA, an award-winning cutting-edge Visual Intelligence Technology solution, the industry is poised to take a significant leap forward in terms of efficiency and productivity. In this blog, we’ll explore the impact of VIT in the construction industry and how CONSTRA is transforming the construction sector in Australia.
Construction is one of the most important sectors in Australia’s economy, contributing significantly to the nation’s GDP and employing a significant section of the workforce. However, the industry is facing challenges such as labor shortages, project delays, and rising costs. These challenges negatively impact a project’s progress and success, leading to significant losses for the company and the economy as a whole. Fortunately, with the advancements in technology, the construction industry can now leverage visual intelligence platforms like CONSTRA to revolutionize the way projects are managed and executed.
CONSTRA is a cutting-edge visual intelligence platform that offers end-to-end construction management solutions, during the planning & design, construction, and post-construction stages, to help construction leaders save time and money. The platform leverages drone technology and photogrammetry to provide accurate and meticulous land surveys, 3D models, contour analysis, cut-fill analysis, water flow simulation, DSM-DTM, excavation quantities, and more.
Additionally, CONSTRA uses image and video analysis to monitor project sites’ interiors and exteriors, allowing construction leaders to remotely monitor construction progress, measure progress versus the actual plan, inspect every detail, automate reports, create snag reports, and more.
The benefits of using CONSTRA in the Australian construction market are numerous.
Increased Efficiency:
Traditional construction methods are often labor-intensive, time-consuming, and costly. CONSTRA’s clients have seen up to 80% reduction in the number of site visits, over 60% of progress and quality checks conducted remotely, and 99% of reworks eliminated. This increased efficiency allows construction leaders to complete projects faster and with fewer resources, leading to increased profitability.
For example, construction firm Watpac Limited recently adopted a drone technology solution to survey a project site in Western Sydney, reducing survey time from two weeks to two days and enabling accurate data collection for design and engineering purposes.
Improved Project Management:
The construction industry faces many challenges, including labor shortages, project delays, and rising costs. CONSTRA helps construction leaders overcome these challenges by providing real-time information about the project site. This information allows construction leaders to make informed decisions and respond quickly to any issues that arise.
For instance, Multiplex, a global construction company, recently used 3D scanning technology to map out the interior of a heritage building in Sydney’s Central Business District, allowing for accurate design and construction planning.
Reduced Risk:
The construction industry is inherently risky, with many potential hazards and liabilities. CONSTRA reduces these risks by providing accurate and detailed information about the project site. This information allows construction leaders to identify potential hazards and take proactive measures to mitigate them.
For example, BHP Billiton, a multinational mining and resources company, recently used drones to survey a construction site, allowing them to identify and mitigate potential safety risks before beginning the construction process.
Increased Safety:
Safety is a top priority in the construction industry. CONSTRA helps construction leaders ensure the safety of their workers by providing detailed information about the project site. This information allows construction leaders to identify potential safety hazards and take proactive measures to eliminate them.
For example, Lendlease, a multinational construction, property, and infrastructure company, recently used drone technology to inspect high-risk areas on a project site, reducing the need for workers to enter hazardous areas and increasing overall safety.
Important Read: Benefits of Visual Intelligence Platform-based Construction Management over Traditional Construction Management
Real-life examples of how CONSTRA could have been used as a solution.
The Opal Tower in Sydney:
The Opal Tower was completed in 2018, but residents were forced to evacuate on Christmas Eve due to cracks appearing in the building. Further investigations found that there were multiple design and construction issues, including missing concrete and inadequate steel reinforcement. The building has been plagued with ongoing problems, including water leaks and a lack of fire protection systems. (source: ABC News, The Sydney Morning Herald)
How CONSTRA could have helped: By using advanced visual intelligence technologies to detect issues early in the construction process, CONSTRA could have helped to identify the design and construction issues that led to the problems at the Opal Tower. Through the use of drone surveys, CONSTRA could have captured detailed data on the building’s construction and identified potential issues before they became major problems.
The Queensbridge Tower in Melbourne:
The Queensbridge Tower was a proposed ninety-storey building that was set to be the tallest in Melbourne, but the project was abandoned in 2019 due to cost overruns and delays. The project was initially budgeted at AUD $1.2 billion but was later revised to AUD $2.0 billion. The project faced significant opposition from local residents and the Melbourne City Council, which cited concerns about the building’s impact on the local skyline and heritage buildings. (source: The Age)
How CONSTRA could have helped: By using powerful computational tools to make precise and complex calculations, CONSTRA could have helped to accurately estimate the cost of the project and identify potential cost overruns early on. Through the use of drone surveys, CONSTRA could have captured detailed data on the building’s proposed location and identified potential issues related to local regulations and community concerns.
The Westfield Carousel Shopping Centre in Perth:
The Westfield Carousel Shopping Centre underwent a major expansion in 2018, but the project was plagued with delays and cost overruns. The project was initially budgeted at AUD $350 million, but the final cost is estimated to be around AUD $400 million. The project faced significant challenges, including issues with the structural design and changes to the original plans. (source: The West Australian)
How CONSTRA could have helped: By using advanced AI/ML technologies to create precise and meticulous land surveys, CONSTRA could have helped to identify potential issues with the site’s structural design early on in the construction process. Through the use of powerful computational tools, CONSTRA could have helped to accurately estimate the cost of the project and identify potential cost overruns before they occurred. Additionally, CONSTRA Build could have been used to manage multiple projects and accurately measure progress, allowing for better project management and more efficient use of resources.
Important Read: In Construction, Seeing is Believing!
Conclusion:
In conclusion, the Australian construction industry is facing numerous challenges, however, with the advent of visual intelligence platforms like CONSTRA, there is hope for a revolution in the way projects are managed and executed. The benefits of using CONSTRA are numerous, including increased efficiency, improved project management, reduced risk, and increased safety.
The real-life examples presented in this blog demonstrate the potential impact of visual intelligence technology in construction projects across Australia. By leveraging the power of new-age technologies such as drones, and 360-degree cameras, CONSTRA could help construction leaders identify potential issues early in the process, accurately estimate project costs, and monitor project progress in real-time. With its ability to streamline the construction process, CONSTRA saves time, money, and resources, leading to increased profitability for construction companies and a stronger economy for Australia.
Watch our Demo or Connect with us to know more about how to integrate CONSTRA into your construction project management.
