Insulate Magazine Issue 17

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Insulation Technology
Furthermore, an announcement from Caterpiller
provides some insight into the Artificial Intelligence
we can expect to see on construction sites in the
not too distant future. The article details Caterpillar’s
recent investment into a brick-laying robot capable
of laying 1,000 bricks an hour
A Complex Concept
So is Artificial Intelligence unavoidable and we
should all fear for our jobs? Well there appears to
be a bit of ironing out to be done when it comes to
more intricate detailed tasks
A recent article from TRIB live 7 highlights BMW’s
requirement for human skills over AI for intricate and
complex tasks at their largest factory. In the same
article, Cisco Systems notes the complications
Unsurpising Evolution
It probably doesn’t seem a shock to many that
Artificial Intelligence will be a dominant feature of
the construction industry work force in years to
come. Factories and building sites have used machines
for years, off-site construction continues to
grow in popularity and newer technologies such as
BIM are now common phrases in the construction
landscape.
However, as with all industries it does raise
questions over the role of humans and the
investment required to adopt the
new technologies.
with extracting data
from highly automated
manufacturing processes.
Issues of trust are also a
significant factor. The issue of
speed seems to be a stumbling
block when it comes to more
intricate tasks. The BBC 8 reported
that burger flipping robot had to be
taken offline because it was too slow.
Despite these teething problems, it’s a matter of
time before issues of speed, efficiency and even
trust are overcome and robots of a common fixture.
But What About Insulation?
At this stage you are probably wondering, “But
What about Insulation?”. Well here goes.
As a key component within the construction
process, the forecasts from Balfour Beatty will
undoubtedly play a significant role. Robotic
installation, self-assembly, off-site construction
and more.
We are already seeing leading manufacturers
utilising virtual reality at exhibitions to showcase
their products, which points towards a similar
embrace when it comes to more advanced
Artificial intelligence.
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