Picture a bustling construction site several years from now. A flatbed truck pulls up to the gate, with no driver inside. The onsite foreman is instantly notified of the delivery's arrival via a mobile alert. He taps to remotely authorize opening the gate.
The truck proceeds autonomously to the correct unloading zone, guided by GPS. An unmanned forklift approaches and removes materials, transporting them to the designated inventory area. After automatic unloading, the driverless truck proceeds back to the dispatch center.
This seamless choreography, with no human involvement, will be made possible by advances in robotics and autonomous driving technology. AI-enabled machines will handle construction logistics with precision, efficiency, and consistency unmatched by error-prone humans.
Several innovations are enabling this future:
Autonomous Trucks - Vehicles like TuSimple's class 8 semi-trailer trucks will deliver materials 24/7 without driver constraints. Human safety concerns are eliminated.
Precise GPS - Accuracy down to 2cm allows automated trucks to navigate tough job sites. Machine vision also enables obstacle detection.
Wireless Communication - 5G connectivity and smart interfaces allow instant communication with onsite robots. Delivery details and commands are exchanged seamlessly.
Autonomous Forklifts - Driverless lift trucks like Built Robotics' product can automatically unload deliveries and transport them around the site.
Aerial Drones - Small drones safely deliver smaller items like parts, tools, and safety gear wherever needed, reducing human delivery trips.
By coordinating these technologies, all physical supply chain processes can be automated. Construction managers will monitor deliveries and materials remotely through live digital dashboards.
The benefits over human-driven delivery are immense:
- No driver labor costs and constraints
- Consistent 24/7 operations
- Improved safety
- Rapid, accurate unload and transport
- Reduced equipment rental costs
- Tight integration with inventory management
As with automated manufacturing, robotics will bring unprecedented efficiency, reliability, and flexibility to construction logistics. Supplies arrive just as they're needed, eliminating costly lag times. schedules accelerate.
The driverless jobsite is nearing fast. Construction firms must begin strategizing how to best incorporate coming innovations. Early adopters will gain a huge competitive advantage.
To learn more about the future of automated construction delivery, visit www.Follo.co.
References:
https://www.builtrobotics.com/
https://www.tusimple.com/
https://Follo.co
