Today a data-driven approach is the key to successful project execution.
Gary Wong
How are construction technologies playing a major role in India’s infrastructure and real estate projects?
Regardless of building technique or materials, digital technologies today are playing a greater role in infrastructure and real estate projects:
- Building Information Modelling (BIM) with 3D capability enhances efficiency, accuracy, and collaboration of the design, construction, and operation phases of a project, leading to improved project outcomes and reduced costs and risks.
- Prefabrication of metal and laminate beams based on digital designs and 3D models allows for greater precision, efficiency, and quality control
- AI algorithms analyze vast amounts of data and help in creating formulas for stronger concrete and bring in greater efficiency in manufacturing of materials.
- Automation and advanced technology help efficient machines to streamline the cabinet manufacturing process, optimize material usage, and improve productivity
- Augmented/Virtual Reality tools help to enhance various aspects of project planning, such as design and build and improve virtual visualization
How do you view the evolution of digital technologies in construction projects?
The advent of digital technologies in the construction business initially started on a small scale, primarily in new and existing projects.
COVID accelerated the technology adoption tremendously. For e.g.: Delta River, a leading water and wastewater management company based out of Middle East during the COVID pandemic was working on building a new wastewater treatment plant in Iraq. The company, with the help of AVEVA E3D Design tool combined complex drone scans to build the new wastewater treatment plant online. These tools improved the construction efficiency, met stringent design standards, and ensured safety in blistering 50-degree Celsius temperatures. Hundreds of people across the world collaborated to create 100% engineering drawings online throughout the COVID pandemic. AVEVA’s product helped the Delta River teams to handle, share, and present data and enabled users to quickly identify missing or incorrect data and clashing objects. With this new visibility into engineering designs, the company reduced the risk of major construction mistakes to practically zero by revolutionizing the dynamics of online and offline team discussion.
Post COVID, the adoption of digital technologies has seen a rapid evolution in construction projects. We are seeing an increased demand for use of technologies such as BIM, drones for aerial imaging, increasing popularity of AI/ML, cloud collaboration, AR/VR, robotics, and automation to enhance efficiency and productivity with a renewed focus on sustainability.
Leading owner-operators, EPCs, and construction companies have implemented process and technology step-changes in their execution of large construction projects, which have now been recognized and adopted as industry best practices.
Today, a data-driven approach is the key to successful project execution with three focus areas: integrated project delivery, advanced work packaging, and effective contracting. These data-driven approaches are supported by emerging technologies such as AI, AR/VR and digital twin to derive value-creation across the entire ecosystem.
What are the dedicated solutions for different types of construction projects offered by the company?
AVEVA has digital software solutions to design, build, operate, maintain, and optimize new and existing projects. These solutions include 3D modelling, project execution, simulation, augmented reality, controls/automation, real-time situational awareness, AI/analytics, and hybrid cloud.
How are the customers responding to your technologies and solutions?
Our customers are seeing increased business and operational value using our solutions in this sector. During our recently held AVEVA World in San Franciso in October last year, many of our infrastructure partners participated with their experiences on using our technologies and solutions. Everyone collectively emphasized data connectivity and the importance of interconnectedness. AVEVA is helping its customers to accelerate their digital transformation journeys by connecting systems, connecting people, and connecting insights.
In India, Namchi in Sikkim (also known as Namchi Smart City) worked with AVEVA to create an Integrated Cross-city Command Centre (ICCC) and technology platform, which simplified and optimized municipality services. The city augmented and retrofitted existing city infrastructure to conserve energy. By using smart technology to improve the quality of life for its expanding population, the city has cut energy use by 20% and plans to support tourism and drive economic growth. As part of the Indian Smart Cities Mission, the solution is now being replicated in similar smart infrastructure projects throughout India in places such as Kohima Smart City and Pimpri Chinchwad Smart City where it is helping set a new standard in fostering innovative, sustainable, and resilient civic development, while enhancing the quality of life and wellbeing of its citizens.
Existing buildings can also benefit using AVEVA’s Point Cloud 3D solution for their maintenance and sustenance. The solution can manage massive amount of 3D point cloud data by creating an accessible, detailed, and secure digital twin to enable data-rich value additions to maintenance projects. This is achieved by ensuring their asset’s digital twin is accurate, gaining peace of mind that they will be accessing as-is data rather than outdated information from the project phase at handover.
How do you look at the future demand trend for these technologies?
Construction projects in India itself are poised for massive growth with rapid urbanization and growing population. Therefore, demand for digital technologies in this sector will continue to be on an upward curve. Adopting digital solutions will reduce risk, save money, speed up projects, increase safety and decrease re-work.
What is the future of construction technologies and their adoption in India? What are your future plans?
We at AVEVA will continue to partner and help India build and grow through our digital solutions. We are here for the long term with India as digital transformation is a journey. We are agnostic, and therefore our software can adapt to any new technologies. We believe in connected infrastructure and see the entire ecosystem from raw materials, fabrication, to construction and operations as a digital thread powered by our solutions, optimizing and increasing efficiency across the value chain. The infrastructure of the future is digital connectivity for efficiency and sustainability.
