It’s coming, and it will forever change the modular industry.
Innovations are being presented to our industry in such rapid fire that many old-school industry leaders are having to play catch up in their understanding of not just the technology, but also the costs involved. The latest innovation, of course, is Artificial intelligence (AI) and it will change everything.
The most newsworthy AI program is ChatGPT and, as Danny Mitchell points out in the preceding article, it’s already proving its worth to some companies. But while ChatGPT can be a real timesaver, it’s main strength (at least in its current form) is in generating text. More sophisticated AI technologies are on the horizon, and they will impact our industry in more profound ways.
In fact, I believe that AI will merge with an innovation that has only recently become mainstream, Building Information Technology, or BIM.
AI and BIM’s Future Together
BIM is a process that uses digital models to represent and manage building information throughout a building’s life cycle, from planning and design to construction and operation. BIM models can be used to represent a building’s physical form, as well as its functional and operational characteristics. By integrating AI into BIM, construction companies can improve efficiency, accuracy and quality throughout the project lifecycle.
Here are some specific ways that AI will be integrated into BIM for modular construction:
Design optimization. AI can be used to optimize the design of modular components, taking into account factors such as structural strength, material efficiency and manufacturability. The result will be lighter, stronger and more cost-effective components.
Prefabrication planning. AI can be used to plan the prefabrication of modular components, taking into account factors such as the sequence of manufacturing operations, the required tooling and equipment and the available space in the factory. This will lead to more efficient and cost-effective prefabrication processes.
Assembly planning. AI can be used to plan the assembly of modular components on-site, taking into account factors such as the sequence of operations, the required tools and equipment, and the available space. This will lead to more efficient and cost-effective assembly processes.
Quality control. AI can be used to automate quality control checks on modular components and assemblies, catching errors early and preventing costly rework. This will lead to higher-quality buildings and infrastructure.
Additional benefits of integrating AI into BIM for modular construction are as follows:
Improved communication and collaboration. AI can help improve communication and collaboration among different stakeholders in the construction process, which can lead to more efficient and effective projects.
Enhanced decision making. AI can help leaders make better decisions about the design, construction and operation of modular buildings, which can lead to improved performance and sustainability.
In short, by automating tasks, improving communication and enhancing decision making, AI can help to make modular construction more efficient, accurate and sustainable.
But don’t expect the average legacy modular factory to jump into the fray. It will take acquiring the right people, the right software and the right attitude by everyone involved. Ultimately, full integration will likely be driven by a new generation of industry leaders.
The integration of AI into BIM is still in its early stages, but the potential benefits are significant. As AI technology continues to develop, we can expect to see even more innovative ways to use it to improve the efficiency, accuracy and quality of modular construction.
Gary Fleisher is Editor-in-Chief of Offsite Builder magazine.
