Minimizing waste and introducing sustainable
solutions to the construction industry is more important than ever.
Construction and demolition work contributes up to 600 million tons of debris annually in the
United States. Though most of this material comes from demolition projects,
there is still an increased need to find practices that make construction more
eco-friendly.
Widespread automation technology
implementation is a great step toward waste reduction. Though many industry
leaders are finding ways to use this technology to drive overall change in
cities and countries with smart city development, businesses must use
sustainable options to exact a purposeful impact on a smaller scale. Here,
we'll examine some common construction automation tech that promotes
sustainable urban development.
Construction's Impact on the
Environment
Environmental preservation is a practice that
individuals attempt to work toward every day. Proper recycling initiatives,
actively lowering consumption, and moving away from fast fashion are just a few
methods people are using to reduce their adverse environmental impact. Though
helpful, it is not the average person who should be hyper-focused on
sustainable acts - it is companies. Reports have demonstrated that 70% of greenhouse gas emissions are generated
from only 100 companies across the world.
The construction industry is a heavy consumer
of valuable, non-renewable materials and expends a great deal of pollution with
every project. Buildings are linked to 40% of drinking water pollution, 50%
of landfill waste, and 50% of ozone depletion. Across the world, 60% of timber
products are used to construct buildings, and 50% of coral reef destruction can
be indirectly attributed to the construction of buildings. This waste and
overconsumption is largely due to inefficient business practices that have yet
to be fully rectified.
These numbers are massive in the grand scheme
of things, and they will only grow without proper sustainable changes. Seeing
as, by 2050, construction waste is expected to increase by 70%, companies
within this industry have a duty to develop business practices that drastically
reduce this waste over time.
Artificial Intelligence's
Influence on Construction Sustainability
Artificial intelligence (AI) has garnered much
mainstream attention. Folks are enamored with ChatGPT, an AI chatbot and text
generator that offers written solutions and suggestions based on a given
prompt. E-commerce stores use AI customer service to offer quick answers to
common consumer questions. But, automation and artificial intelligence aren't
only great for offering fast, pointed solutions - they make construction
industry practices more eco-conscious over time.
Smart Tech Implementation
Numerous manufacturing companies, construction
company headquarters, and newly constructed buildings are now beginning to use
smart technology to reduce and prevent energy waste. Many buildings now come
equipped with smart thermostats, which are devices that account for current
occupancy, changing weather, and other factors to automatically heat and cool
interiors to ideal temperatures. Seeing as heating and cooling accounts for
nearly 40% of a commercial building's energy usage, this seemingly minor change
can have a large impact on a business's finances and energy consumption.
Predictive technology is one sustainable, AI-backed tool that many
construction companies are now outfitting new buildings and company
headquarters with. Devices like smart floors, autonomous HVAC systems, and
smart lighting, easily pick up on your daily habits, tracking your energy usage
and making adjustments accordingly. In the end, this data tracking is
beneficial for multiple reasons. It allows businesses to be transparent about
their sustainability efforts while offering real-time numbers and information
to back them up. It also offers businesses detailed insight into what practices
are leading to unnecessary energy expenditures.
But, even with internal changes made at
physical business locations, the real issue comes from practices these
companies use at job sites or during the design process.
Robotics for Building
Construction
For the actual building process in
construction, robots can increase workplace efficiency and promote sustainable
efforts. Automated transportation, demolition, and excavation equipment are
becoming more prevalent in construction jobs. Companies like SRI International have unveiled autonomous
equipment such as robotic excavators, which are powered by electric motors that
operate the pedals and levers with the same finesse as a human being. Using
these automated machines reduces the opportunity for human error or harm, and
can minimize energy usage.
The desire for sustainable solutions also
drives thoughtful innovation. 3D printing is a useful, sustainable tool that
has found its way into the construction industry. One primary use of 3D
printing in construction is producing concrete parts and materials for
building. Concrete blocks and other parts can be easily produced to fit the
exact shape and size you need for the job site. Within days, you'll have all
the concrete parts you need to finish up a project in a fraction of the time
traditional methods would require. This type of production reduces waste and
excessive debris due to the precise molding of the concrete building materials.
Though this process can be expensive and require extensive training, the
eco-friendly benefits can be well worth it in the long run.
Final Thoughts
Though automation seems to be the future of
construction, many people are wary about its role in the economy. There is talk
about robots, AI, and similar tech taking jobs away from residents, and
replacing their labor with more cost-efficient automation. In reality,
automated machinery and AI tech still must be operated and organized by human
beings. People understand the best direction for companies to head in when it
comes to sustainable practices, and automated tools are simply a way to help us
become more energy efficient as business owners, workers, and a community.
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