At this year´s Hannover Messe, the Embedded Intelligence department presents ways in which automated condition monitoring, remote management, and predictive maintenance may be implemented at a construction site. Intelligent networked sensors in construction materials, in the vicinity of the building site, or in the machines support the deployed AI systems.

The ConWearDi project develops innovative, technology-based services driven by digital construction processes and connects different value chains in the context of the construction industry.

We have a lot of catching up to do in the construction and energy sectors in terms of digitalization. While BIM systems (Building Information Modeling) and modeling or simulation tools are used in building planning, the construction work, that is, the value-creating work performed at the construction site with its various trades, is still dominated by analog media and processes.

Using Industrie 4.0 technology, the project will develop a web-based platform that enables a digital information exchange between all involved in the construction process as well as intelligent planning and control services in addition to continuous quality assurance and documentation processes. If the implementation is successful, it will be possible in the future, to use real-time construction data for intelligent, on-site monitoring and control of the process flow.

The specific applications shown at the exhibit were developed in close collaboration with our partners in ConWearDi, for example, the detection of wear on attachments and material consumption at the tooling machines, or documentation of processes through activity detection. The system assists the local operator via context-relevant usage instructions and automated, optimal settings for the machines. Intelligent algorithms for long term analyses of automated internal temperature and humidity measurements of the building materials provide useful support for energy management and enable anomaly detection to identify possible construction deficiencies and predictions about the condition of an object.

Furthermore, practical findings from the “Enoba – Smart Construction” project funded by EIT Digital are demonstrated along with advanced developments achieved at the spin-off company of the same name. These include innovative, AI-driven services for construction and building trades and digitalization support across the entire value chain. The exhibit shows a system that records the activities of construction vehicles with integrated optimization of resources and routes.

Funding for the system is provided under the umbrella program "Innovations for the production, service, and work of tomorrow” by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF).