Due to a nationwide lockdown and reverse migration of the labour, many construction companies are reporting an acute labour shortage to work on pending projects. Also, even when workers are back on project sites, prevailing social distancing requirements are forcing construction companies to work with minimum workforce, which in turn is slowing down projects.

But some have opted for vibrant and digital solutions to overcome these challenges. Trimble Solutions, one of the leading construction companies, is actively exploring the use of cutting-edge technologies in construction.

Entry access system using facial recognition

Speaking on the lockdown infused challenges, Paul Wallett, Regional Director, Middle East, and India, Trimble Solutions, said, “I think for the customer base it was more challenging because of the lack of technology. We focussed very heavily that customers have the tools and capability to ensure day to day running of the business.”

Though facing initial hiccups, the company has implemented various solutions to address the concerns of both workers and customers on and off-site.

Emphasizing on ensuring safety conditions via temperature checks, Wallet said, “On-site, having a control point is necessary to minimize risk. Management of the site is the next big area where people need to concentrate. We have monitoring solutions for checking people where they are on site.”

Also, Trimble is using camera visual detection solutions wherein machine learning is a part of it.

“It [detection system] identifies high-risk areas and alerts workers while they enter it. We also use an entry access system using facial recognition, which scans the face and detects if you have a mask on or not. If not, the entry is denied,” Wallet said.

Transforming the way construction industry works

With a motto of ‘Transforming the way, the world works’, Trimble has taken leaps and bounds in ensuring full usage of precast, prefabrication, cloud-based collaboration, mixed or augmented reality, robots and connected machines that use the Internet of Things (IoT).

Echoing benefits of prefabrication, Wallet said, “Prefabrication helps in ensuring social distancing among labourers who are otherwise concentrated in large numbers in a particular location on site. We stand for transforming the way we do work in the construction industry. We have digital technologies like 3D solutions, and Trimble Connect wherein people can be remote on-site connecting through cloud technology and see the designs.”

Trimble also uses technology where people can go on-site before actual construction via augmented reality (AR). And all these tech-driven solutions are implemented for pre, during, and post-construction processes.

However, Wallet believes there remain some challenges like customer readiness and logistic arrangements. From a customer standpoint of view, we still haven’t fully embraced the full digital way of working, he said.

“The current disruption will make the industry jump forward in terms of technology. The construction sector was using tech solutions before the pandemic but the current situation has made us embrace technology more effectively and efficiently, Wallet said.