Post-Covid, builders will need to be more sustainable, productive and competitive moving forward. This presentation covers the journey taken by SIT and Woh Hup in running the Construction Technology Innovation Laboratory (CTIL) since 2021, a joint applied research center to carry out AR&I projects to address some of industry’s key challenges. Different from the ‘top-down’ agency-driven research which aims for knowledge creation and building capability, CTIL focus on ‘bottom-up’ industry-driven research which aims more for test bedding and actual application through an alliance approach. Case studies will be presented to elaborate our collective efforts made in the three AR&I pillars of productivity, sustainability and resilience, including challenges in translating innovative technologies and building pipelines for industry-ready graduates and upskilling programmes for the construction professionals.

In this presentation, the achievement acquired through the utilisation of construction robots and digitalisation solutions which developed with global collaborators from agencies, IHL, and industry on Kajima global hub “The GEAR” construction in Singapore will be shared. In addition to the experience on “The GEAR” construction, optimal process from research planning to adapting developed technologies for practical using on actual site will be discussed and Kajima’s R&D strategy on construction productivity in Singapore using The GEAR facilities is introduced.

Lenard, Founder and CEO of Ailytics, will explore the journey of converting a groundbreaking research project on advanced video analytics for construction safety and productivity and how it has turned into a successful startup today making an impact on the construction industry. He will share his experiences of transitioning from a research project to an entrepreneurial venture, navigating the complexities of communicating with stakeholders in the industry, assembling a talented team, and building strategic partnerships. Emphasizing the importance of innovation, market analysis, and customer pain points, and outlining the key steps taken to transform our research project into a viable startup.

Drawing upon real-world examples and industry insights, Lenard will also highlight the pressing need for enhanced safety measures and increased productivity in construction projects and discuss the challenges faced in traditional safety and productivity practices and how our technology serves as a game-changer. The speech will unveil the unique features and capabilities of Ailytics’s advanced video analytics system, showcasing its ability to automatically detect potential safety hazards, monitor worker performance, optimize resource allocation, and enhance project efficiency. By effectively harnessing the power of artificial intelligence, computer vision, and machine learning, and demonstrating how the technology has the potential to save lives, reduce costs, and boost productivity in the construction sector.

Digitalisation plays a key role in the transformation of the built environment. The ready-mix concrete industry is going through remarkable change with the use of advanced digital technologies such as AI. Supported by BCA’s Built Environment Technology Alliance (BETA) initiative, Pan-United is proud to have developed an in-transit concrete management system called AiM, short for Artificial Intelligence Mixing. AiM calibrates the concrete mix consistency during the journey of a concrete mixer truck from the concrete batching plant to the construction site. If changes in consistency are detected along the journey, the system will remotely adjust the concrete mix and ensure the specified concrete properties are maintained when the truck reaches its destination. AiM enhances product quality while minimising the manpower needed on-site to physically test and approve the concrete mix in each truck upon arrival. The system increases concrete quality consistency and minimises the risks of project delays.