b'moved from the factory to the job site because of automation thatHaas suggests they are less committed to automation because allows these processes to be performed onsite. they are so closely attached to their craft and processes that have been used for decades. Robotics in particular is gaining ground. Haas stresses that this move to robotics will not replace workers but instead augmentAnother issue being deliberated by industry professionals is their ability to do their work more productively. He also suggestswhether automation could help the construction industry cope that the current robotics trend may, in time, be replaced by auto- with its growing labour shortage. Looking at Ontario as an mation opportunities with 3D printing, including the introduction ofexample, the value of building permits in the province increased by new hybrid construction materials beyond steel and concrete. 50 per cent since 2016, from $12 billion to more than $18 billion. Yet the skilled construction workforce sits at around 540,000 STUDYING AUTOMATION workers and hasnt increased appreciably during this same period. Haas research at Waterloo focuses on three areas of automation.It is well below the number of workers needed to respond to the The first involves tying 3D computer vision together with 3D laserprovinces current level of construction activity.scanning to assist with job site functions such as process control,Haas view on this is clear: automation can and should assist quality control and safety.with the labour shortage, and it should be embraced by the The second is studying body motion of masons to understand theindustry with this in mind. Automation will lead to a higher status weight loads on their bodies and creating training systems andof workers on the site and could attract more people into the automation implements that make masons work environmentconstruction business, he says. As well, automation that reduces ergonomic and safer. An example of this is the use of self-levellingthe impact on workers bodies will allow workers to stay in the pallets. These pallets are equipped with springs that keep themindustry longer. at an accessible height while bricks and other materials are beingWhile its overall impact on the industry is still to be seen, auto-offloaded, making the process easier and safer. Other automationmation is starting to make inroads in construction. However one examples in this area include exoskeletons operated by workersfeels about it, expect transformative change ahead.and used to reduce body stress and make them more productive.The third area involves using automation for adaptive reuse of renovation and refurbishment projects. A good portion of todays construction projects involve the reuse of some or a large part of an existing building as a part of the project to cut down on waste and support the circular economy. According to Haas, theseEXAMPLES OF AUTOMATIONprojects involve a great deal of unknowns and risk because of the adaptive reuse of the existing building. His research in this area isThere is a long list of automation technology currently aimed at using automation to reduce unknowns prior to startingavailable or in development for the construction sector. the project, thereby reducing the risks to the builders Below are some noteworthy examples.and designers.INDUSTRY REACTION MESH MOLD ROBOTICS that lay down mesh to be filled with concrete for walls. One advantage of this technology What is the overall reaction to automation by companies andis that the robots can make curved or wavy forms that workers? Some industry experts feel the construction industryallow architects to use more creative wall designs.has been moving much too slowly in adopting automation. They say this is having a negative effect on productivitynot just in Canada, but worldwide. eSUB Construction Software, an onlineBRICKLAYING ROBOTScalled SAMs (Semi-Automated collaboration platform for construction professionals, states thatMasons) that can increase the number of bricks laid in construction is one of the least digitized industries worldwide andone day up to tenfold. Masons still load the SAMs and has resultantly failed to significantly increase worker productivityfinish the mortar work but they no longer have to deal in decades.with the physical stresses of laying the bricks.Haas on the other hand disagrees with this statement and points to the 2018 analysis from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics thatEXCAVATION AND GRADING in the landscaping around lists annual compounded productivity increases of 5.3 per centbuildings are now in many cases completely robotic and in industrial construction and 3.7 per cent in multi-residentialdriven off designs generated in 3D.construction between 2006 and 2016. He has talked with many construction organizations in North America and around the world that are embracing automation and, in some cases, workingDRONES can be used to perform construction site collaboratively to share data and experiences. inspections and conduct monthly inventory checks that save valuable time for workers and supervisors.He feels automation is being accepted by companies and workers in the industry at a reasonable rate. ROBOTICSare being used in factories for prefabrication There are, however, construction trades that are resisting theof walls and other systems in the building construction trendtypically subtrades that specialize in a specific skill. process and then shipped to the site for installation.BUILDERSDIGESTQuarter 1201933'