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2. Autonomous Robotic Solutions
Today's cutting-edge robotic technology improves
site progress monitoring and quality control through
design validation workflows. It also brings key
automation to the field for efficient data collection
that accurately and frequently captures the reality
of the jobsite and provides valuable data insights.
Thanks to the nature of robotics, all of that can be
accomplished with less labor — and more efficiency.
complete specific missions.The robot also can be
remotely activated to provide site detail or context.
For example, if questions arise during a stakeholder
meeting, the robot can be remotely activated to the
area in question and provide real-time context.
"It's a key part of sharing information on the
jobsite and linking what's happening in the field
with what's happening in the office," Burczyk
said. Communication and collaboration occurs
using Trimble Connect, a cloud-based common
data environment designed specifically for the
construction industry.
Site safety is another benefit robots deliver. That's
because they can go into areas that may be too
dangerous for human workers, such as confined
spaces. "There's a whole series of regulations
designed to keep humans safe," Burczyk said. "When
you have a robot, those restrictions go away, so you
can keep on schedule without putting anyone at risk."
Already, insurance companies are lowering rates
for companies that use robots, he said. "It's really
about the ability to get more analytics and a better
understanding of where the job actually is vs. where
the schedule says it should be. It's providing higher
levels of efficiency and opening up a whole new layer
of insights into the life of the project," Burczyk said.
Site scanning is an ideal task for autonomous robots.
Currently, having a human worker take on this task
would require too much labor time and not deliver
enough accuracy. A robot can do the task for less cost
and with pinpoint accuracy — and it can all be done
at night when the site is empty. For full autonomy,
today's robots can even be taught a route to walk to
With robots on site, you
have the ability to let them
take over those mundane
or repetitive tasks," said
David Burczyk, Trimble's
construction robotics lead
for construction field
solutions. "That lets the
human workers take on
more high-value tasks."
