Internet of Things in Construction

Main article: Digital technologies in construction

2021: Internet of Things, What a Manager Needs to Know

Internet of Things, aka IoT (Internet of Things). What is it? How is this different from M2M? How can this be used? How much is it? How to implement? Read more here.

2020: Why is now the optimal time to implement IoT in construction

How will the spread of IoT affect the construction and real estate industries? Will it give businesses a real benefit and increase efficiency, or is the value of IoT not obvious in 2020? The transition to Industry 4.0 and related technological advances mean that there are new, smarter, safer and better ways to plan, build and operate assets on the market. The internet of things is considered one of such technological advances, although it has existed for almost two decades.

Today, the attitude towards the term IoT has changed. However, this concept mainly refers to a network of objects that generate data that become more accessible and "connected" in order to be able to expand and quickly analyze the operation of the system.

While threats cyber attacks and privacy issues make IoT potentially scary, society is already quite actively using IoT objects: smartphones, smartwatches, remote security systems, lighting in our homes and even baby monitors - all of which can connect to, To the Internet demonstrating that IoT has come to stay.

But for the most part, it's all for consumer use. What does IoT provide for construction, maintenance and the operation industry?

Before implementing IoT in construction, you need to assess the effectiveness of investments

IoT messages

In the construction and property industry, there is a problem inherent in IoT devices. Manufacturers promote connected devices, to the extent that in some cases the "unconnected" alternative ceases to exist. Connected devices are thought to have the potential to bring more benefits to companies in construction and real estate. But can the stated benefits of early warning, remote monitoring, and continuous data collection in organizations be quantified? Is the effect comparable to the size of the investment?

Smart buildings and assets

Systems with connected devices can make buildings and assets "smart." Device connectivity can provide immediate notification to managers if assets, systems, or building elements are being misused. Critical systems and assets can be connected to the Internet, and if they work inefficiently or are turned off, notifications can be sent to the relevant stakeholders and contractors. This leads to faster decisions about the need to carry out work in order to minimize failures and optimize operating costs.

In most cases, it is difficult to link direct and immediate savings to Internet connectivity functionality. Areas that should be considered, justifying the need for investment in IoT, may be, for example, focused on preventing and reducing risk, or reducing downtime and the number of failures, which could potentially be quantified.

Data overload

Another reason IoT devices are still viewed with some skepticism about their application is that the industry is currently experiencing an ever-increasing increase in the volume of data, information and records. An increase in the number of devices that can collect more and more information leads to data congestion, especially since the construction industry itself spends less than 1 percent of its volume on technology. The construction and real estate industries simply do not know what to do with the data and how it can help improve productivity and efficiency, as well as reduce the level of danger and risk.

However, with the introduction of more IoT devices in building construction and operation, great potential is associated, especially when combined with advances in artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning and analytics.

Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning

AI and machine learning provide valuable performance information combined with IoT devices and analytics. Machine learning and AI in simple terms are probably best explained as automating data analysis and shaping corrective actions.

As an example, sensors, access system data, room temperature and energy usage data are combined to determine whether the floor is occupied at 6:30 p.m. or not. If not, the building control systems will be automatically configured to turn off the lights, turn off the heating, ventilation and air conditioning, switch the safety system to night mode and activate the alarm.

These operating parameters should no longer be set manually or depend on the specific time when the rooms are in use. Currently, the facility is beginning to take into account the needs of users, providing better user interaction and optimizing energy efficiency without compromising security.

Combining multiple seemingly unrelated datasets can also provide insights into efficacy. For example, combining performance data from a HVAC system with weather and seat occupancy can provide a view that can predict how systems operate under certain circumstances. Tracking historical scenarios can help set up building operation more flexibly. For example, during the period of the annual financial statements, people usually stay longer in their workplaces, knowing this, the company serving the building can leave the canteens open for longer, and order cleaning of the premises for a later time, which will be much more convenient for people working in this building. Technologies based on analytical information derived from AI or machine learning can improve knowledge of assets and systems to the extent that they can automatically take proactive action to change parameters.

Problems

The challenges currently facing the real estate construction and operation industries are: Technology: AI and machine learning are not yet widespread and inaccessible, and the functionality of most IoT devices is very limited in terms of providing useful information or sharing between platforms and systems. People: Digitization, future deliveries and operational models have not yet been sufficiently articulated by industry or organizations, in part because those in the industry cannot yet see the full potential of IoT technology. Process: Many industry processes have occurred since the time prior to digitization and have not yet been considered in terms of the possibility of global change and re-implementation, i.e. processes are being improved and improved, but their purpose and true functionality are not necessarily questioned.

Time to act

Although there are problems, the connected devices will not go anywhere. AI and machine learning are constantly improving, which means that soon AI and machine learning technologies will connect to IoT and become available at no great cost. For organizations to overcome the challenges of using IoT devices and analytics, they should take some steps:

• In terms of technology - data collection: AI and machine learning will only be useful to the organization if the technology can learn from historical data and discover models and results within it. Data should be collected on a consistent and structured basis.
• From the people's point of view - accepting change: People and organizations may be skeptical of change. In order for organizations to take advantage of devices for the Internet of Things, and in order for people to fulfill their roles, it is important that people accept changes as a single constant and start thinking outside the box.
• In terms of the process - make the business evolve: the status quo is a reflection of the past; the processes, rules and methods of work currently in use are based on historical events, actions and improvements. Technology makes it possible to rebuild today's practice - to move from incremental improvements to step changes.

At the same time, do not forget about an important rule: when starting the IoT program, security and privacy should be paramount. This means that connected devices must be safe and protect privacy so as not to expose the organization to malicious external influences.

Security must be end-to-end when deploying IoT devices, including management and monitoring, data distribution, and secure storage. If security is not the highest priority, any perceived economic benefits from IoT devices could be reduced due to the damage malicious attacks could cause businesses.

Always look for opportunities to improve productivity, improve security, increase user/employee/customer satisfaction, and change business practices. Standardization of working methods and management are an important element in successfully achieving improvements. Analyze the scope and type of data to collect from a construction project or facility operation and it can be used to provide the required degree of automation and measurable benefits in construction and operation.