[Let's Run Again Construction Korea] Drone Surveying and Robot Construction Continue the Legacy of 'Smart K Construction'

[Asia Economy Reporter Yoo In-ho] The construction industry has faced new challenges due to the COVID-19 pandemic. With restrictions on the movement of people and goods, global infrastructure investment has contracted, and there are expectations that the spread of contactless culture will accelerate the restructuring of the industry.

On the other hand, some predict that these changes present opportunities for the industry. By integrating traditional construction with advanced technologies, new markets that never existed before can be created.

Han Seung-heon, President of the Korea Institute of Civil Engineering and Building Technology, stated, "Interest in 'smart construction,' which integrates advanced technology into construction, is increasing recently," adding, "In the future, companies that secure this market will stand out not only domestically but also in the global construction market."

In fact, the construction industry is fiercely developing smart technologies such as unmanned aerial vehicles (drones), artificial intelligence (AI), and robots. At the same time, active entry into 'future growth businesses' such as renewable energy, eco-friendly sectors, and the Fourth Industrial Revolution fields is underway.

In overseas markets, diversification efforts are expanding beyond the Middle East to Southeast Asia, Latin America, and Africa. The fierce competition to continue the reputation of Korean construction, built in major overseas markets like the Middle East, into the post-COVID era has already begun.

◆ Accelerating Development of Smart Construction Technologies = Recently, unprecedented new scenes are emerging at construction sites both domestically and internationally. Drones appear at civil engineering and architectural sites, and robots that replace tasks previously done by humans are appearing one after another. The progress of construction processes can be monitored in real-time at headquarters. So-called 'smart construction' is rapidly becoming a reality.

Construction companies are developing smart technologies because there is growing concern that without differentiated technological capabilities in the era of the Fourth Industrial Revolution and post-COVID era, they may fall behind in competition. Utilizing ICT technologies such as drones, virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), and cloud systems in construction can reduce errors from the design stage to construction, shorten construction periods, and prevent safety accidents.

Air purification systems, systems prepared for natural disasters, energy savings through improved insulation performance, and AI-based consumer preference research are expected to contribute to competitiveness in the fierce bidding environment.

Daewoo E&C is applying its self-developed 'Drone Control System (DW-CDS)' at construction sites. It is building spatial information using drones not only at large-scale industrial complexes and coastal breakwaters, which are difficult for humans to survey individually, but also in jungle areas such as Indonesia and the Philippines, enhancing global competitiveness. This system uses 4G and 5G communication networks to monitor up to 256 sites simultaneously via a video surveillance platform.

Hyundai E&C aims to deploy industrial robots on sites by 2026. This year, it applied 'unmanned patrol robots' for site management and 'construction work robots' that improve efficiency in repetitive tasks such as welding and painting at some domestic sites.

Hyundai Engineering has also introduced smart technology competition. Recently, Hyundai Engineering developed an 'AI plastering robot' that performs concrete floor leveling without additional operator input and filed a patent for the floor leveling method using this robot.

The AI plastering robot is equipment that rotates two motors, each equipped with four plastering blades, to evenly level concrete floors. Compared to existing floor plastering machines, it is significantly lighter, increasing usability, and is eco-friendly by adopting electric motors.

GS Engineering & Construction is the first in the industry to utilize IoT services, which embed sensors and communication functions into various objects to connect them to the internet. It developed and applied its own platform called 'Xi AI Platform.'

This platform analyzes various data generated within apartment complexes, continuously improves living environments for residents, and provides diverse services linked with various platforms such as after-service materials and interior, shared vehicles, healthcare, laundry, and childcare.

Samsung C&T Construction Division plans to introduce robots that assist with community facility guidance and reservations in Raemian complexes. These robots are equipped with AI services such as autonomous driving and voice recognition. They move around inside community facilities to provide guidance and support reservations.

The community robots offer various services through voice recognition display functions, assist residents in using community facilities, and can carry light luggage.

Daelim Industrial is developing 'smart construction technology' integrated with IT technology in line with the Fourth Industrial Revolution. The first step was introducing machine control technology and photogrammetry technology. Machine control equips construction machinery with various sensors and digital controllers to assist ongoing work like a car navigation system, enabling faster work and increased operational efficiency.

◆ Industry's Urgent Mission: "Find New Growth Engines" = 'Fuel cells, renewable energy, water treatment...' These are new businesses that the construction industry has recently been dedicating efforts to.

SK E&C recently completed Asia's largest Hwaseong solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) power plant in Nojin-ri, Jangan-myeon, Hwaseong City, Gyeonggi Province. It covers a total area of 7,017㎡ and has a capacity of 19.8 MW (megawatts).

It will operate for about 20 years until April 2040. Solid oxide fuel cells are next-generation power generation facilities that produce electricity using hydrogen and other solid oxides as fuel and are gaining attention. Daewoo E&C also entered the smart energy market by acquiring a 19.9% stake in Humax EV, a specialist electric vehicle charger company.

Based on this investment, it plans to expand business in eco-friendly energy-related fields such as building a charging infrastructure ecosystem, establishing complex charging facilities linked with energy storage systems (ESS) through site construction, and operating V2G bidirectional and energy demand management systems.

Hyundai E&C is also focusing on eco-friendly and energy new businesses. It is currently promoting hydrogen fuel cell power generation, offshore wind power, tidal power, and contaminated soil purification projects, and is reportedly planning to develop a 'Green Bio Smart City.'

GS E&C officially entered the lithium-ion battery recycling business earlier this year. Through this facility, it expects to recover key materials such as nickel and lithium, preventing resource waste and environmental pollution while achieving import substitution effects.

Last year, GS E&C made a large-scale investment of 400 billion KRW to expand its stake in its water treatment subsidiary GS Inima and to acquire and merge a Brazilian water treatment company.

Lotte E&C is also diversely participating in construction and research and development (R&D) related to water treatment businesses, such as developing technology to produce biogas during sewage treatment processes.

These movements are also connected to the Moon Jae-in administration's Green New Deal policy. The government declared the Green New Deal as a key pillar of economic growth this year and is actively investing in and fostering eco-friendly industries. The government plans to invest 73.4 trillion KRW by 2025. The Green New Deal budget alone reaches 8 trillion KRW next year.

An industry insider said, "It is difficult to improve construction productivity with existing methods, so construction companies' interest in new areas such as smart technologies is not a choice but a necessity," adding, "Although eco-friendly businesses require high initial investment costs, they can create synergy with existing construction businesses, so recently construction companies are showing active engagement."