Did you know, the rate of musculoskeletal disorders in the Construction industry is 16% higher as compared to other industries?

These statistics show that construction workers are at significant risk of workplace injuries caused by overexertion and fatigue. However, this risk can be reduced significantly if construction companies adequately harness the potential of technology and automation tools, like the Exoskeleton.

An Exoskeleton comes in handy for lowering stress and strain on construction sites. It is a wearable gadget that resembles a human skeletal structure and has motorized muscles to multiply the wearer’s strength.

Considering the usefulness of Exoskeletons, it can be expected that their popularity likely to grow in the years to come. Researchers predict that by 2025, the market for robotic exoskeletons will grow from $68 million in 2014 to $1.8 billion. Based on these statistics it can be ascertained that Exoskeletons are likely to stay in the times to come. Consequently, the article focuses specifically on disseminating information about the various types of exoskeletons and their applications in the construction sector.

Exoskeletons play an important role in ensuring the safety and efficiency of the construction site. Listed below are some of the many types of Exeskeletons that contribute to reducing construction-induced fatigue and exertion.

Mounted Arm Exosuit: It is a tool-holding Exoskeleton with a spring-loaded arm connected to a lower-body exoskeleton and a counterweight. It helps workers use hefty hand gears quickly, enabling them to complete jobs faster, with less fatigue, and better workmanship. EskoZeoG and EskoBionics are the commonly used products under this category.

Overhead Exosuit: Workers who perform overhead installation work, such as installing sprinklers or ductwork, benefit from exoskeletons that provide arm, neck, and shoulder support. These gears lessen the strain on the neck and arm muscles and decrease injuries brought on by repetitive stress. Additionally, they offer torso and arm motion without limiting passive or dynamic support.

Power Gloves: For people who have trouble grasping objects or have other dexterity problems, power gloves that fit around the hand can help. When picking up objects or carrying bulky hand tools, the improved grip facilitated by power gloves can be advantageous.

Crouching and Standing Support: A portable exoskeleton called a chairless chair supports workers while they crouch or stand still for long periods. Additionally, they lessen musculoskeletal system diseases and injuries brought on by repetitive stress.

As technology advances, the capabilities of Exoskeletons will further improve, which will eventually contribute to increased workplace safety and higher productivity. Therefore, it is prudent to invest in robotic Exoskeleton technologies to achieve sustainable growth and competitive advantage in the construction industry.

 Introduction:

The construction field is considered to be one of the most hazardous and aggressive industry, and it is extremely important to secure the health and safety of the workers in the field. Building Information Modelling (BIM) is usually associated with productivity and team work; however, it is also playing a crucial role in improving the health and safety of the workers in the construction field. If properly executed, BIM can transform the construction safety making it more safe and secure. Below mentioned are five different ways how BIM can boost the safety in the construction industry.

• Improved Hazard Prevention

BIM project models can help the project teams in detecting and accordingly taking preventive measures to avoid hazardous situations on site. They can quickly identify the areas that require special attention through the advanced BIM software. For instance, a problematic roof or surface can be easily detected and accordingly fixed in advance before it turns dangerous for the field workers.

• Synchronization of activities On the Site

BIM helps in maintaining the coordination between various construction activities on the field. The advanced BIM software allows its users to get all the data they require to finish their work as per the agreed specifications.

• Prefabrication and Standardization

Prefabrication has expanded the construction business to a great extent and is projected to be universally available in the coming future. Further, it is more likely to bring a positive influence on construction safety. One can easily reduce the regular safety issues like falls, slips etc., by moving some of the construction tasks to the factory or a warehouse. Further, prefabrication can help in standardizing the construction business thereby leaving a very small room of error.

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• Virtual Safety Tours

Virtual safety is considered to be one of the most powerful features of BIM. Presenting a computer-generated construction model helps the project agents to organize different project activities without compromising with the safety. Moreover, the project teams can easily examine different hypothetical circumstances on site and accordingly come up with some practical solutions thereby ensuring the workers’ safety on the site.

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• Data- based Accident Examination :

BIM helps in analysing the accidents and searching for reasons that caused them. This approach helps in determining different potentials for the construction sector in terms of enhancing the safety and avoiding the most common hazardous activities on the site.

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Overall, it can be said that the Building Information Model (BIM) can not only help in transforming the construction business through its virtual project design, but can also ensure project safety. Its powerful features allow the project teams to virtually characterize every stage of the construction project before it is brought into action. It helps in predicting and preventing construction hazards.

Augmented reality (AR) has brought a significant transformation in the construction business. All these changes are seen not only in the designing and modelling but also in the building section of the construction line. Augmented reality has provided considerable benefits to the entire construction team, be it engineers, architects, designers, or service providers. It is likely to associate virtual architectural designs with the actual construction sites, thereby increasing its competence and accurateness, and decreasing the incidents of mistakes, and saving a lot of time, money, and resources. Below mentioned are some of the VR tools that can change the entire approach towards Architecture and construction sector:

• Augmented Reality (AR) sketch walk:

This tool allows designers to apply augmented reality to give closer insights into their sketches and the exact sense of the space to both their customers as well as themselves. One can easily use their Notepad or I pad to place their sketch in the plan and give it a more realistic flavour. This tool allows architects to present their designs more interactively and flawlessly.

• Smart Helmet:

Another augmented reality tool is the smart helmet, which is proficient in picturing projects and 3D models in a wide spread 3D environment. It helps the construction team easily compare the work-in-progress with the actual design and put the labour and administrative centre in proper sync with an all-digital work structure.

• Augment:

This is basically an app that permits its users to assess 3D models in real time, change a plan into a 3D model hologram, or simulate or mimic huge products. This app can easily be installed on the smartphones and tablets, thereby making it very convenient to use either by product designers or sales and marketing teams.

• Fologram:

Another important AR tool is the Fologram, which through their augmented reality glasses, like the Holo lens, can transform the 3D models into a full-size construction command. This tool is especially suitable for complex construction projects that require a series of measurements, corroboration and explicit maintenance through the digital instructions.

• GAMMA AR

It is a monitoring app that uses augmented reality technology to join BIM 3D buildings through smartphones or tablets. The designers can easily compare the actual work done with the planned work structure. GAMMA AR allows its users to view 3D BIM models of the construction before or all through the building process, thereby reducing mistakes.

All in all, augmented reality has changed the entire perception of the construction industry. All the above mentioned tool have helped the builders in providing a more realistic view of what will be constructed, including all the layering of materials and installations that are often difficult to understand by merely looking at the drawings.

Sustainable energy is a reusable resource of energy that fulfills today’s energy demand without damaging the environment and is extensively available free of cost. All the renewable energy sources like solar, wind, geothermal, hydropower and ocean energy that is consistently and abundantly available are some of the common forms of sustainable energy. However energy generated from the fossil fuels is not considered as sustainable energy sources because they are limited in supply and are harmful to the environment as they release toxic gases. Some of the common resources of Fossil Fuels are coal, oil, and natural gas.

Course in Sustainable Energy:

If anyone chooses to get a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Sustainable Energy, then this course will teach you how to best utilize all the alternative resources of energy, discover new techniques for creating renewable energy. This course will also teach you how to increase the efficiency of the generated energy so as to reduce the overall negative influence on the natural environment.

Typical resources of sustainable energy:

Some of the most common resources of sustainable energy are:

1. Solar Energy,
2. Wind Energy,
3. Geothermal Energy,
4. Ocean Energy, and
5. Biomass Energy.

Career Opportunities in Sustainable Energy:

After getting a Graduate or a Master’s degree in this course, one can work as an:

• Energy consultant
• Energy auditor
• Wind power engineer and
• Environmental manager

In a nutshell, Sustainable Energy is the future of unpolluted reusable energy sources that could be recycled, reused, and renewed by using modern technologies. An investment in learning this subject is a reasonable and responsible step towards achieving a sustainable environment.