When Will We See Autonomous Trucks on Construction Sites?

Brief 

Autonomous cars are hot topics these days, especially as more test drives occur and industry authorities start looking at legislation to keep roads safe without stifling self-driving vehicle innovation. However, it’s also useful to think about the potential of high-tech automobiles to excel in certain types of work — on construction sites, in particular. 

Insight

Artificial Intelligence in Construction Gaining Popularity

One thing all autonomous vehicles have in common is that they use artificial intelligence (AI) to navigate environments safely. Most have advanced sensors and software to give input that allows steering around obstacles, recognizing changing road conditions, and more.

Developers build AI tools to predict what people might do in particular situations. Self-driving car algorithms analyze the specifics of millions of hours of human driving, then use that information to respond to real-time environmental fluctuations.

The construction industry is already implementing other types of AI to get jobs done safely and on schedule. For example, some sites feature robots that help lay bricks, plus computer-vision cameras that can spot safety hazards and flaws that may make a building fail an inspection.

Other sectors have also proven that AI can work in specialty vehicles. In one case, Ukraine developed armored vehicles for military missions. They could transfer supplies between locations or test unknown roads before other vehicles travel on them.

Autonomous construction equipment could also become more attractive due to a labor shortage in the sector. Even the most successful uses of self-driving vehicles in construction will require some humans to supervise the associated tasks. However, with many construction leaders struggling with finding enough workers for upcoming projects, smart equipment could reduce the overall team members required to meet deadlines.

Autonomous Construction Equipment Has Arrived

Some sites already feature construction equipment that works without direct human intervention. So, a primary question is not when these offerings will assist with operations but how long it might take before these products become widespread enough to reach the mainstream.