Construction Companies Going All-In on Developing 'Untact Technology'

[Asia Economy Reporter Yoo In-ho] Large construction companies are going all-in on developing construction technologies that combine artificial intelligence (AI), digital, and eco-friendly technologies in response to the untact era triggered by the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19).

According to the industry on the 12th, major construction companies such as Hyundai Engineering & Construction, Daewoo Engineering & Construction, Samsung C&T, Hyundai Engineering, and POSCO Construction have recently been introducing innovative construction technologies one after another at construction sites.

Hyundai Engineering has developed an 'AI plastering robot' to be introduced in the concrete plastering process. The AI plastering robot is a robot that replaces plastering work that has so far relied on technicians. It rotates two motors equipped with four plastering blades to level the floor surface where concrete has been poured. Earlier, in March, Hyundai Engineering also developed 'freeform architectural technology' using robot 3D printing.

Samsung C&T is actively working on developing new construction technologies through collaboration with partner companies. In particular, the company recently attracted attention by holding the 2020 Construction Innovation Technology Exhibition at Raemian Gallery in Munjeong-dong, Songpa-gu, Seoul.

At the exhibition, Samsung C&T showcased a total of 48 exhibition technologies and items together with more than 30 partner companies, including robot specialist companies, design firms, and ICT specialists. These included smart design using big data analysis and Building Information Modeling (B.I.M), and smart safety management technology combining robots, sensor technology, and AI.

Daewoo Engineering & Construction has recently applied its self-developed 'Drone Control System (DW-CDS)' at construction sites. This system performs comprehensive control and remote drone operation from the control center through a dedicated application and program. It is a technology that can monitor up to 256 sites simultaneously using a self-developed video control platform over 4G and 5G communication networks.

POSCO Construction succeeded last month in developing 'optimized design and construction technology connecting new and old slab joints for apartment remodeling.' POSCO Construction's new method requires less concrete demolition of the existing floor slab, making construction more convenient and enabling reductions in construction time and costs. In particular, the amount of waste concrete generated is drastically reduced, making it environmentally friendly.

Hyundai Engineering & Construction, the industry leader, is also accelerating efforts to secure smart construction technologies. Hyundai Engineering & Construction plans to categorize its future core smart construction technology areas into four: OSC (Off-Site Construction), construction automation, smart site management, and digital project management, and aims to discover and spread practical and leading technologies.

Additionally, Hyundai Engineering & Construction is speeding up pioneering the construction robotics field with the goal of deploying industrial robots at construction sites by 2026. Since last year, it has been developing technology utilizing 'multi-joint industrial robots' capable of precision work comparable to human hands and arms, and this year plans to pilot apply 'unmanned patrol robots' for site management as well as 'construction work robots' to improve efficiency in repetitive tasks such as welding and painting at domestic sites.

An industry official said, "Improvements in productivity and quality through smart construction technologies and changes in execution systems and work environments through digital transformation will cause a major paradigm shift in the construction industry."