Covering Disruptive Technology Powering Business in The Digital Age

Editorial Note: AI in construction safety. Will this innovation lead a change in the construction industry? We are already beginning to see more AI machines and automation in production. With efficiency and productivity key in the construction industry, it’s probably just a matter of time before we have a fully digitalise construction site.

Since 2016, Inno@ChunWo, established by Chun Wo Development Holdings Limited (“Chun Wo”) has been active in collaborating with different universities and technology research companies and its hard work has been rewarded with the successful development of Rapid Repairing Mortar Materials to enhance the maintenance efficiency of ageing buildings. Meanwhile, Inno@ChunWo has successfully utilized Artificial Intelligence (A.I.) technology to improve construction safety. Mr Dominic Pang, Chairman of Asia Allied Infrastructure Holdings Limited (“AAI”), Sr. Stephen Lee, Chief Executive Officer of Chun Wo Construction Holdings Company Limited, Mr. David Lau, the Deputy Chief Operating Officer of Chun Wo Construction Holdings Company Limited, and R&D team members were present at the announcement to explain Inno@ChunWo’s latest R&D achievements.

R2M2 is a collaborative research project under the Innovation and Technology Fund, undertaken by Chun Wo, the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) and the Nano and Advanced Materials Institute Limited (NAMI). Comparing to the conventional method, R2M2 offers a safer and faster solution for repairing concrete spalling – an issue commonly seen in Hong Kong’s ageing buildings. R2M2 is a stainless-steel fiber reinforced mortar that recovers the lost load-carrying capacity of corroded rebars by simply patching alone. It mitigates the need for lapping a new rebar and breaking a large volume of good concrete on both sides of the corroded region for lap length. In short, it simplifies the conventional repairing procedures, shortens the repair time and generates less waste, noise and dust nuisance to the property owners.

Furthermore, Chun Wo is working closely with an oversea consultant, Indus.ai, to utilize big data and artificial intelligence in construction. For safety, computer vision is used to track the correct use of safety helmets and reflective vests of workers, with non-compliance alerts sent to management instantly for corrective action. For project management, the recognition system can be improved through machine learning and are able to track up to 8 numbers of excavators concurrently. The construction plant efficiency and productivity can be seen by the management for timely decisions. Looking forward, Chun Wo plans to develop the system into an effective resource allocation and management tool. The aim is to track worker location and construction progress, with Building Information Modeling (BIM) integration. The safety features will also be expanded by developing user-defined no-go zone with intrusion alerts, safety items recognition and heavy-lifting non-compliance detection. Artificial intelligence provides unbiased information to frontline staff and management for instant action, which helps prevent accidents and improve occupational health and safety in the construction industry.

Mr Dominic Pang, Chairman of AAI, said, “The Group has been dedicated to developing innovative technologies for the construction industry over the years. We are truly encouraged by its success in developing the new mortar material and A.I. applications. Going forward, we will keep pushing forward with developing innovative technologies for the industry, contribute to the future of the local construction industry and create greater value to the benefit of the general public in the city.”

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